Overview:

Under the direction of a Registered/Licensed Nurse (RN), the Patient Observer Clinical Associate (POCA) is a member of the interdisciplinary health care team that promotes a safe, compassionate patient care environment. The POCA performs basic care tasks for patients at the direction of the RN in addition to ensuring appropriate observation.

Responsibilities:

Adheres to service excellence standards by treating ALL individuals with respect, kindness and sensitivity to cultural diversity

Assists with meeting patient safety needs

Performs role-appropriate tasks as delegated by the RN

Using simple terms, explains their role to the patient

Contributes to the plan of care through ongoing communication with the RN

Seeks RN assistance to meet patient/family needs when necessary 

Participates as a member of the Interdisciplinary team to meet patient/family and unit/department needs

Provides constant safety observation for patients identified to be at risk for injury to themselves or others

Provides constant safety observation for patients at risk for elopement or interfering with his/her medical care

Provides close observation for a single patient or group of patients, via monitor or direct visualization in areas where Continuous Surveillance is permitted

Provides care appropriate to age group of patients on assigned unit(s) as indicated

Attends to the needs of patients who are in restraints (i.e. positioning, offering food/fluids, etc.)

Documents aspects of care in the electronic health record (EHR) or on the appropriate paper downtime form (if applicable)

Promptly responds to bed, chair and virtual monitor alarms (i.e. Avasure alarm)

Maintains a safe and clean patient care environment

Maintains awareness and practice standards of any patient-specific precautions

Adheres to Infection Prevention standards and practice guidelines per SSH policy

Maintains situational awareness by regularly attending Change-of-Shift and Safety Huddles

Adheres to individualized Falls Prevention plan of care for each patient

Fosters a Culture of Safety through personal ownership and commitment to a safe environment for patients and colleagues:

Safeguards the privacy and security of patient information per policy

Maintains patient and family privacy and confidentiality

Utilizes two patient identifiers for proper patient identification per policy

Appropriately uses the Chain of Command to elevate any concerns

Promptly reports relevant or mandatory safety event/concerns in the Incident Reporting System

Follows Safe Patient Handling principles to maintain safety for both patients and staff

Monitors patient and environment for safety concerns and immediately reports changes to RN/licensed nurse

Completes annual required training such as SSH Mandatory Education modules, division-specific skills days, etc.

Updates role-specific knowledge through periodic in-services and enrichment activities

Completes all assigned learning modules in the electronic learning management system (i.e., HealthStream)

Engages in quality and safety initiatives on the unit

Other duties as assigned

Direct Observation and Care:

Assists with personal activities (i.e. reaching belongings, operating TV and phone, operating bed controls, etc.)

Sets up food trays and assist patients with meals as indicated

Feeds patient at the direction of the RN following aspiration precautions

Assists patients with positioning, turning, mobilization, ambulation as indicated

Assists with activities of daily living (ADLs) at the direction of the RN

Assists with application and removal of restraints at the RN’s direction

Utilizes appropriate diversionary items from the Patient Safety Cart as indicated

Assists RN with admission process, ensures safe room/bed set-up, orients patient/family to environment, etc.

Assist RN with discharge process:  gathering belongings, changing clothes, etc.

Provides assistance with patient transport

Placing or replacing of the sequential compression devices at the direction of the RN

Encourage incentive spirometry at the direction of the RN

Set up bedside suction and assist with oral suction at the direction of the RN

Obtains vital signs at the direction of the RN and reports to nursing team

Ensures safekeeping of patient valuables including packing and storing

Checks patients for identification bands, and notifies nurse if replacement is needed

Immediately reports any changes in patient condition or any other safety concern to the RN

Physically intervenes in the event of imminent harm to patient, visitor(s), or staff, or to prevent patient elopement, and assists, as directed, by RN with restraint

Qualifications:

Previous customer service or patient care experience preferred

Knowledge of English language sufficient to read, speak, and write accurately 

Knowledge of basic medical terminology preferred

Knowledge of simple arithmetic

Ability to lift and transport patients, and push and pull equipment, using the appropriate physical technique in a safe manner for the patient and self, according to Safe Patient Handling Guidelines

Ability to master basic computer skills

Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients, visitors and hospital personnel

Training in Workplace Violence Prevention (i.e., AVADE)

BLS certification