Patient Safety Assistant - Virtual

Wellspan Health - Gettysburg, PA

Part-time,Full-time

Onsite - Gettysburg, PA

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

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.

Responsibilities

• Maintains patient safety by preventing falls and injury due to impulsiveness.
• Provides one-on-one observation for high-risk patients, including those requiring behavioral management or who are suicidal.
• Accompanies patients during transport and escorts them as required.
• Obtains verbal reports from the patient's nurse regarding care needs to collaborate with the care team.
• Applies principles of caring and healing in interactions with patients, families, and colleagues.
• Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment for patient comfort and satisfaction.
• Provides assistance with ambulation, toileting, repositioning, and feeding/fluids.
• Supports caregivers to maintain efficient patient care flow.
• Maintains a safe and orderly patient environment.
• Engages in constant, direct visualization of the patient throughout the assignment.
• Observes patient activity and behavior, defuses situations, and communicates regularly with nursing staff.
• Engages patients in therapeutic communications and activities to develop rapport and distract them.
• Documents required information in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• May be assigned to observe patients in isolation and must don appropriate PPE as per policy.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• No prior experience required.
• Basic Life Support certification upon hire required.
• Completion of Behavioral Health Training Packet upon hire required.
• Completion of Sitter Guidelines for Safety 1:1 training upon hire required.
• Completion of High Risk Observation training upon hire required.
• Completion of Patient Care Assistant/Sitter Epic training upon hire required.
• Completion of an 8-hour De-escalation class upon hire required.
• Good customer service skills.
• Excellent communication and de-escalation skills.