Summary of Position :

The Patient Safety Technician sits at bedside of patients who requires continual direct

observation to ensure their safety from falls and / or risk of injury to self or others. Remains with

patient at all times ensuring patient safety. Provide supportive and appropriate diversional

activities for the patient at the direction of the RN responsible for the patient. Provides timely

notification to clinical staff of patient behavior that may lead to unintended elopement, fall, or

harm to themselves or others. May also be assigned as hospital transport orderly. This position

description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by

employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a

comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications which may be required

of the employee assigned to the position.

Qualifications

Education :

High school diploma or GED preferred

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities :

• Ability to work independently and make sound judgements during stressful circumstances.
• Must be able to speak English, communicate clearly orally, and in writing; understand and use de-escalation techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and visitors.
• Ability to communicate with hospital staff and respond quickly to patient changes.
• Ability to use discretion and courtesy when working with patients, visitors, and staff.
• Basic computer operation skills.
• Efficiency in multitasking.

Certifications / Licensure :

American Heart Association BLS CPR certification within 90 days of hire

Physical Demands

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 frequently required to walk, stand, sit, and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to use hands to manipulate, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus and color vision.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Routine Hospital / Healthcare & Office / Administrative conditions.
• Contact with patients and guests under a wide variety of circumstances.
• Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases.
• Exposure to infections and contagious disease.
• Exposed to hazardous anesthetic agents, body fluids and waste.
• Subject to hazards of flammable and explosive gases.
• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations, including the handling of emergency or crisis situations.
• Subject to pressure due to irregular hours, frequent interruptions and stressful situations due to multiple demands.

Essential Functions

1. Provides consistently exceptional care at all times.

2. Provides constant observation of the patient and timely notification to the RN of patient behavior that may lead to unintended elopement, fall, or harm to themselves or others.

Immediately reports to the RN any change(s) in physical condition from the initial report.

3. Receives report from the Registered Nurse as well as the previous PST assigned to the patient.

4. Remains with the patient during the entire shift until scheduled relief arrives. Accompanies the patient to the restroom and off floor for scheduled appointments, tests, and procedures.

5. Provide companionship to the patient and participate in activities such as reading to the patient, conversing, and playing cards.

Assists the patient with contacting hospital staff, television channel selections, letter writing, etc.

6. Maintains core customer service skills and communication when challenged by agitated, delusional, or confused patients.

7. Submit necessary documentation (i.e. report sheets, room checks, etc.) to designated location / person, after signature by the responsible RN per unit process.

8. Assists the RN in keeping rooms and patient belongings free of objects that could potentially be harmful to the patient or others.

9. Demonstrates understanding and proficiency of the use of patient monitoring software programs.

10. Demonstrates safe work practice. Follows safety rules, works to prevent unsafe conditions and behaviors, and participates in organizational and department safety programs.

11. May assist guest relations staff with greeting, screening, and escorting patients and visitors to and from their destination.

12. PST's hired with intent to transition into a security officer position may be assigned security related training or perform other duties as directed by the security manager.

13. Responds to the needs of the department and organization by performing other duties, as necessary.

Last updated : 2024-05-17