Patient Safety Assistant (25583)

Company: University of Texas Medical Branch
Location: Galveston
Posted on: September 13, 2020

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY: To provide continuous observation and appropriate documentation on activity of an assigned patient who has been identified as having increased risk for injury. Works with the multidisciplinary team through clear and timely communications. Reports directly to the assigned patient's nurse and/or charge nurse, working to promote safety in patient care. MAJOR DUTIES / CRITICAL TASKS:

• Contributes to the success of UTMB Health Care Systems Staffing.
• Prior to the start of the shift, receives a report from the assigned nurse on the following:
• The patient's name and pertinent social information regarding the family,
• The reason that the patient has been assigned a Patient Safety Assistant, and
• Specific concerns (as identified in the medical record, by family members, by the previous shift's staff, etc.) regarding the patient's safety needs.
• Documents and reports sequential events on the appropriate records or log and communicates patient's needs or specific changes to the assigned nurse and/or charge nurse.
• Accompanies patient when leaving unit unless otherwise instructed by the patient's assigned nurse and/or charge nurse.
• Does not leave patient unattended at any time.
• Practices positive guest and peer relations through effective and courteous communication.
• Provides age appropriate interactions.
• Provides simple comfort measures that do not interfere with the primary role of continuous observation of the patient.
• Maintains patient's privacy and confidentiality of information at all times.
• Participates in developmental goal setting and attends in-services and ongoing educational programs to promote self-development and growth.
• Adheres to internal controls established for department?
• Assists with safe, prompt transfers of patients from various hospital/clinic areas.
• Transports specimens and requisitions to the appropriate areas.
• Helps to feed patients who need assistance to eat.
• Orders adequate supplies, checks for expiration dates, verifies charges, as directed by supervisor.
• Performs other related duties as required. KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES
  • Ability to effectively communicate verbally and/or in written form.
    • Customer service orientation and values.
      • Ability to negotiate solutions and outcomes.
        • Team player.
          • Ability to maximize people and financial resources.
            • Ability to work in partnership with management and staff. REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:
              • High school or equivalent.
              • Prefer 6 months to 1 year prior experience in a health care setting
              • Prefer previous hospital experience.
              • CPR/BCLS certified through American Heart Association EQUIPMENT:
                • Patient Call Systems.
                • Patient bed settings and bed alarms.
                • Posey-- Sitter Elite/ WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
                  • Standard hospital environment.
                  • Work environment is located in a comfortable indoor area.
                  • Conditions such as noise, odors, cramped work space and/or fumes could sometimes cause discomfort.
                  • Moderate to extreme physical effort may be required, such as walking, standing, performing CPR, and lifting materials, equipment, objects, and/or patients.
                  • Occasional lifting may be very heavy and awkward, over 50 lbs.
                  • Vision, hearing, talking, and sense of touch abilities must be adequate to enable one to quickly and accurately perform tasks such as reading small print, reading from monitoring equipment, defining details, sending and receiving clear and accurate oral communication.
                  • Alertness and careful attention to detail will be required to avoid injury.
                  • May be exposed to such occupational hazards as communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, ionizing & non-ionizing radiation, hazardous medications and disoriented or combative patients or others. -- PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:
                    • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
                    • The employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
                    • Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
                    • Work environment is located in a comfortable indoor area.
                    • Shift work may be required.
                    • Conditions, such as noise, odors, cramped workspace and/or fumes could sometimes cause discomfort.
                    • Moderate physical effort may be required such as walking, standing, sitting, and lifting.
                    • May be exposed to such occupational hazards as hospital acquired infections and communicable diseases.
                    • Vision, hearing, talking, and sense of touch abilities must be adequate enough to enable clear and accurate verbal communication with patient, family, or staff.
                    • Alertness and careful attention to detail will be required to avoid injury.
                    • Specific job requirements or physical location of some positions allocated to this classification, may render this position security sensitive, and thereby subject to the provisions of Section 51.215, Texas Education Code. --
                      
                      UTMB HealthCare Systems (HCSS) strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or veteran status. HCSS takes affirmative action to hire and advance women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. HCSS is the official internal float pool for clinical and non-clinical services for UTMB and its associated facilities in Galveston and the surrounding areas.

Keywords: University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston , Patient Safety Assistant (25583), Other , Galveston, Texas