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