Job Description

Patient Sitter- Oswego Hospital Job Title: Patient Sitter Department: Clinical Admin Reports to: Admin Coordinator to DON Revision Date: 7/21/2023 Grade Level: 12 Status: Non-Exempt Job Summary: The Patient Sitter is accountable for monitoring patients who require close observation for high-risk behaviors and reporting these behaviors appropriately to responsible staff on the unit. Patient Sitters are assigned to patients to enhance patient safety. After the patient sitter completes the patient sitter training, the RN may direct the PS to feed, transfer, and ambulate the patient. Duties/Responsibilities:

• Participate in, and contribute to, patient status report.
• Anticipate patient\xe2\x80\x99s needs and demonstrate a cooperative attitude when assisting patients.
• Assist in planning and providing patient care as a member of the health care team.
• Assist the patient in the admission, transfer and discharge process.
• Report to the team nurse any observations, patient complaints, and other pertinent information regarding the patient\xe2\x80\x99s condition.
• Maintain awareness of patient\xe2\x80\x99s diet and/or restrictions. Pass nourishments promptly.
• Perform responsibilities in the collection, labeling and transportation of specimens.
• Adapt to the different needs of patients from birth to geriatric with respect to their total care.
• As directed by the RN, feed (position patient to avoid choking), transfer and ambulate the patient.
• Complete the patient rounding form.
• Completes documentation as assigned.
• Demonstrates competence in assembling, using, and maintaining required equipment.
• Demonstrates cost-effective awareness in use of resources and supplies.
• Safely ambulate and transport patients.
• Utilize proper techniques of body mechanics for patient and personal safety.
• Take responsibility for patient\xe2\x80\x99s clothing and securing other personal property per policy.
• Routinely provide for patient safety through preventive measures (i.e. siderails, restraints per physician order), low bed position and safe transport to other areas.
• Participate in hospital emergency and disaster drills; knows role in the event of a fire while on duty.
• Strictly follow principles of asepsis and infection control for routine cleaning of equipment, supplies and performing patient care.
• Correctly identify patient by name and ID band for all direct care, procedures or treatments.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Skills/Abilities (Unit Specific):

• Works effectively and communicates frequently with all members of the health care team.
• Provide patient education on admission to the nursing unit.
• Ensure that all personal articles and the patient call light cord are within the patients reach and available for use.
• Provide professional, supportive and understanding communication and behavior when in contact with guests (patients, visitors, clients, physicians, employees and volunteers), always displaying positive guest relations.
• Uses appropriate resources (equipment, ideas, personnel) in providing individualized patient care/interaction.
• Demonstrates ability to assess self-learning needs and seeks assistance to meet those needs.
• Actively participates in Quality Assurance programs and CQI.
• Assists in providing an environment conducive to learning for co-workers, students, and ancillary personnel.
• Demonstrates an ability to perform effectively in emergency situations.
• Attendance ensures that job requirements are met.
• Present and ready for work in designated area at assigned time.
• Maintains confidentiality in all patient, hospital, and physician related information; demonstrates complete discretion when discussing patient information.
• Actively participates in in-service programs; attends all mandatory classes as required; completes unit-specific competencies.
• Participates in meetings and committees as assigned.
• Makes recommendations and suggestions for positive procedure changes, understands and supports the need for change in work, policies, or procedures. Adapts easily and willingly to changes in job responsibilities.
• Demonstrates supportive and understanding communication and behavior when in contact with guests (patients, visitors, clients, physicians, employees, volunteers, etc.), always displaying positive guest relations.
• Complies with DOH requirements for annual health assessments and required immunizations.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Unit Specific Orientation

Working Conditions: Ability to stand for extended periods of time, ability to life twenty (20) pounds. Moving, lifting or transferring of patients may involve lifting up to fifty (50) pounds, as well as assist with weights of more than one-hundred (100) pounds, fine motor skills, visual acuity. 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach forward with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift or move 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The overall physical demand rating for the job falls within the Medium classification (exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work) according to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Pay Range: $15.25/hr Employee salary is based on commensurate experience and other qualifications. The mission of Oswego Health is to provide accessible, quality care and improve the health of residents throughout Oswego County. As a nonprofit healthcare system that was established in 1881, Oswego Health is proud to continue to be one of Oswego County\xe2\x80\x99s largest employers. More than 1,200 employees spread throughout its 17 locations, work for the Oswego Health system, which includes the 164-bed community hospital with a brand new Medical Surgical Unit, a 32-bed state-of-the-art psychiatric acute-care facility with multiple outpatient behavioral health service locations, The Manor at Seneca Hill, a 120-bed skilled nursing facility, and Springside at Seneca Hill, an independent retirement community. The health system also operates Oswego Health Home Care, the only hospital-based certified home healthcare agency in the County as well as two outpatient centers, including the Fulton Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, physical therapy, and occupational health services; and the Central Square Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, and physical therapy services. In addition, Oswego Health includes the Oswego Health captive professional corporation, Physician Care P.C., providing physician services in orthopedics, cardiology, ENT, gastroenterology, breast care, audiology, general surgery, bariatrics, and primary care. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Oswego Health is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment-related matters, without regard to race (including traits historically associated with race), creed, color, religion, sex/gender, national origin, age, marital or familial status, disability, pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, citizenship status, ancestry, arrest/conviction record, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, reproductive health decision making, relationship or association with a member of a protected category, or any other legally protected characteristic. Decisions affecting your position including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, training, tuition assistance, leaves of absence, disciplinary action, layoff/recall, and terminations will be made in accordance with this policy.