Wellspan Health - Gettysburg, PA
posted about 2 months ago
The Patient Safety Assistant (PSA) at WellSpan Health provides essential virtual support to a diverse patient population through the use of remote monitoring technology and electronic health records. This role is critical in maintaining patient safety, particularly for those at high risk of elopement or requiring behavioral management. The PSA is responsible for ensuring a safe and therapeutic environment for patients, which includes preventing falls and injuries due to impulsiveness, as well as providing one-on-one observation for patients who may be suicidal or otherwise in need of close monitoring. In this position, the PSA will accompany patients during transport, obtain verbal reports from nursing staff regarding patient care needs, and apply principles of caring and healing in all interactions. The role requires constant, direct visualization of patients, necessitating the PSA to be present and attentive to the patient's needs and the surrounding environment at all times. The PSA will engage patients in therapeutic communication and activities, helping to distract and occupy them while developing a therapeutic rapport. The PSA is also expected to document all required information in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) and may be assigned to observe patients in isolation, requiring the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). This position is vital in supporting the overall flow of patient care and ensuring that safety protocols are adhered to, contributing to a culture of safety and quality care within the hospital setting.