Patient SitterThe Patient Sitter provides continuous observation and ensures the safety of patients experiencing behavioral health challenges or mental health crises. This role supports the Emergency Department team in maintaining a secure environment for patients who may be at risk of harm to themselves or others. The sitter communicates patient behaviors, needs, and any changes in condition to the healthcare team and helps create a calm, supportive atmosphere for recovery.
Essential Duties:
Provide continuous, direct observation of patients at risk for injury or harm, ensuring their safety at all times.
Must accompany and remain within arms length of patient unless otherwise directed by nursing staff.
Perform supportive/comfort functions with approval of nursing staff (i.e., light conversation, pushing call light, reposition covers/blankets, raising bed).Notify nursing staff immediately if there are changes in the patient's condition or behaviors that require clinical intervention.
Transport patients as assigned within the ED area.
Follow hospital policies and procedures regarding patient safety, including fall prevention, infection control, and behavior management.
Maintain a calm and supportive presence for patients, offering comfort and reassurance.
Accurately document patient activity, behavior, and interactions as required.
Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.
Non-essential DutiesAssist with light housekeeping tasks in patient rooms, such as straightening beds or removing clutter.
Provide support to unit staff with other non-direct patient care tasks during downtime.
Participate in hospital training and educational programs as required.
Preferred Experience:- Experience in a healthcare or patient care environment preferred but not required.
- Ability to remain calm and composed in high-stress situations.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
- Completion of one clinical rotation in a college credited health science program preferred
- Required Licensure/Education
- High school diploma or equivalent requiredBLS certification required and kept current
- Preferred Education
- Completion of one semester and actively enrolled (in good standing) in a college credited health science program; or graduate of an EMT-B training curriculum; or Certified Nursing Assistant in the State of Illinois and on the Nursing Assistant Registry; or relevant and consistent work experience.
- This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.
Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and nationally rated employee well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more so your journey at and away from work is remarkable. Our Total Rewards package includes:
Compensation
Base compensation within the positions pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
Premium pay such as shift differential, on-call
Opportunity for annual increases based on performance
Benefits:- -.5 to 1.0 FTEPaid Time Off programs
- Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
- Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
- Educational Assistance Program
Benefits:
-.001 to.49 FTE:Paid Leave Hours accrued as you work
Employee Health Requirements
Exposure:
- Chemicals: NoneVideo Display Terminals: NoneBlood and Body Fluids: Overall, minimal risk of exposure to blood and body fluids.
- TB or Airborne Pathogens: Minimal risk.
- Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):Speech: Required to communicate with patient and staff. Ability to ask for help.
- Vision: Required to observe patients.
- Smell: Needed to identify changes in patient status.
- Hearing: Needed for patient and staff communication.
- Touch: Contact with patients, need to distinguish between hot and cold.
- Activity/Lifting Requirements:
- Sit: 75%Twist: 0%Stand: 15%Crawl: 0%Walk: 8%Kneel: 0%Lift: 0%Drive: 0%Squat: 0%Climb: 0%Bend: 0%Reach above shoulders: 1%The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:
- Up to 10 lbs: Occasionally
- Up to 20 lbs: Not RequiredUp to 35 lbs: Not RequiredUp to 50 lbs: Not RequiredUp to 75 lbs: Not RequiredUp to 100 lbs: Not Required
- Over 100lbs: Not Required
- Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements: Rarely a sitter may need to assist in rearranging items in a patient room.
- Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:
- Sit: 60 Twist: 0Stand: 60 Crawl: 0Walk: 15 Kneel: 0Lift: 0Drive: 0Squat: 0Climb: 0Bend: 5Reach above shoulders: 5Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):Simple grasp 10 lbs. Normal weight:< 10lbs rarely.
- Pushing & pulling 10-50 lbs: rarely.
- Fine Manipulation: manipulation of call lights, TV controls.
- Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: N/AEnvironmental Factors and Special Hazards:
- Environmental Factors (Time Spent):Inside hours: 1-12 Outside hours: 0Temperature: Normal Range
- Lighting: Average
- Noise levels: Average
- Humidity: Normal Range
- Atmosphere: Odors
- Special Hazards:
- Protective Clothing Required: Latex gloves, disposable gowns, masks, hepa masks for TB.Pay Range USD $16.49 - USD $19.94 /Hr
