Patient Sitter Job Description
Patient sitter
provides extensive on-the-job training regarding our policies and procedures and knowledge of basic medical terminology will be trained.
Patient Sitter Duties & Responsibilities
To write an effective patient sitter job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included patient sitter job description templates that you can modify and use.
Sample responsibilities for this position include:
Reports all patient needs/requests
Associate’s position requires occasional (5-10% of work time) squatting, crawling, crouching, kneeling, and
Perform patient care activities within limits of position –does NOT administer any medication or therapy
Collaborates with physicians, nurses, and other clinical disciplines in making decisions regarding patient care
Has adopted and exhibits customer service behaviors
Patient must be monitored at all times including during toileting and bathing
May deliver approved items to the patient at the direction of the clinical nursing staff
Prior hospital or medical experience preferred
Assist in preparing patient and meal tray for patients as directed by RN
Sitter to complete the safety checks assessment form for all patients sitting with, not just for Suicide precaution patients, but all patients
Patient Sitter Qualifications
Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.
Licensing or Certifications for Patient Sitter
List any licenses or certifications required by the position: BLS, BCLS, CPI, CNA, CPR
Education for Patient Sitter
Typically a job would require a certain level of education.
Employers hiring for the patient sitter job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as High School and Associate Degree in General Education, Health Care, Education, Associates, Industrial, Technical, Nursing Program, Supervision, Patient Care, Medical Assistant
Skills for Patient Sitter
Desired skills for patient sitter include:
Regulatory requirements related to Baker/Marchman Act
Basic patient-care activities
Basic medical terminology
Proper body mechanics
Codes and alarms
Hospital disaster codes and response plans
Two-way radios
Medical terminology
Spreadsheet applications also desired
Word processing
Desired experience for patient sitter includes:
One year patient care experience, preferred
Texas C.N.A
Previous experience in a hospital/patient setting, preferred
Graduation from an approved Nursing Assistant program preferred
Successful completion of Worksteps assessment by Occupational Health required
Must obtain BLS within 30 days of hire from the American Heart Association only
Patient Sitter Examples
1
Patient Sitter Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is looking for a patient sitter. Thank you in advance for taking a look at the list of responsibilities and qualifications. We look forward to reviewing your resume.
Responsibilities for patient sitter
- Utilizes soothing techniques to attempt to calm confused patients, talking in a soft, soothing manner, reading to the patient, touching the patient’s hand to redirect from pulling at lines
- Notifies the nurse for patient needs such as toileting, hunger, OR at any point that the patient would be a hazard to themselves or others
- May float as a CNA (as needed) if working under an active Texas CNA license
- Other duties as specified by department supervisor
- Through observation and surveillance, Reports any changes in patient's mental or physical condition, suspicion of ingesting questionable substances or items
- To provide safety in the hospital setting for those patients who require a sitter to perform continuous observation
- Performs and documents vital signs and other appropriate patient information in the EMR
- Ensures comfort and safety of patients, belongings and environment
- Observes the patient(s) in the room, never leaving the patient's side without replacement
- Follows RN's directions for patient care, and gives shift handoff report to assigned RN
Qualifications for patient sitter
- Previous experience in a hospital and/or nursing facility preferred
- Alerting staff for medical emergencies
- Must possess patience and tact in working with the elderly or patients at risks for falls or other harm
- Completed all .edu courses on duties of the constant observer and .edu on restraint and seclusion
- Completes hospital approved training in managing patient behaviors and de-escalation techniques
- Constant Observer providing patient care must have completed all applicable competencies
2
Patient Sitter Job Description
Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of patient sitter. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for patient sitter
- Maintains a safe environment by removing dangerous items and continually assessing the area for potential risks
- Immediately notifies assigned RN and/or unit team leader when the patient(s) condition or behavior changes or assistance is needed
- Uses proper techniques to avoid infection of patient(s) and self and avoids contamination of patient's belongings, equipment and supplies
- Gives frequent oral and written reports of occurrences and observations
- Performs and records delegated nursing care tasks and procedures in the EMR
- Assists patient(s) with feeding, activities of daily living (ADL's), bathing, toileting and ambulation
- Participates in unit staff meetings
- Completes required education courses and modules within established deadlines
- Maintains a safe environment by removing dangerous items and continually assessing the area
- Maintains a safe environment by removing dangerous items and continually assessing the area for
Qualifications for patient sitter
- Certified Nurse Tech or Certified Nurse Assistant license preferred
- NVCI (NonViolent Crisis Intervention) offered by CLRMC
- Experience in patient care/transportation preferred
- Previous experience working with patients or in a hospitalsetting preferred
- Patient care technician/C.N.A
- Prior patient sitter and/or CNA experience preferred
3
Patient Sitter Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is hiring for a patient sitter. We appreciate you taking the time to review the list of qualifications and to apply for the position. If you don’t fill all of the qualifications, you may still be considered depending on your level of experience.
Responsibilities for patient sitter
- Assist in calming and/or reorienting patient in cases of agitation or confusion
- Remove visible hazards and/or broken equipment from immediate environment and reports as appropriate
- Assist with keeping patient's room clean, safe and orderly
- Employee is responsible for providing one to one observation of a patient, working in controlled and/or uncontrolled patient care situations
- Record all observations
- Remove visible hazards and/or broken equipment from immediate environment and report as appropriate
- Remains in patient room at all time and does not leave without RN approval and/or relief
- Accompanies and stays with patient when transported off the unit for any diagnostic tests or procedures
- Uses the call light/intercom system to summon staff for assistance or needed equipment/supplies
- Documents observations on flow sheet as instructed and indicated
Qualifications for patient sitter
- Minimum of 1 year clinical experience performing nursing assistant duties in hospital/healthcare setting OR successful completion of nursing school (RN) curriculum from an accredited school of Nursing
- Receives hand off from the care team to include reason for observation, patient behaviors and any concerns/ risks
- Notifies the primary nurse of changes in patient behavior
- Records observations in the patient record at the designated documentation interval for observation level
- May travel with patient off the unit for testing or other reasons as determined by the care team
- Assists with supervised clothing changes and secures patient belongings
4
Patient Sitter Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is looking to fill the role of patient sitter. If you are looking for an exciting place to work, please take a look at the list of qualifications below.
Responsibilities for patient sitter
- Keeps patient within view at all times
- Keeps patient in view at all times
- Keeps patient room door open/partially open at all times
- Keeps bathroom door open at all times
- Removes sharp/dangerous items out of room
- Assists nurse to screen all items brought in by visitors
- Knows patient’s ordered activity level
- Avoids wearing items around neck (ID badge, stethoscopes, necklace)
- Refrains from discussing patient information with anyone other than nurse or physician
- Respects the patient’s right to dignity while providing care, with concern for safety as a priority
Qualifications for patient sitter
- Observes patients closely to ensure they do not obtain or retrieve objects they could use to harm themselves or others
- If assigned to constant observation does not leave the patient or become distracted/ engaged with other patients until relieved or communication is receiving that the level of observation has changed
- Supports restraint activities as delegated by the primary Registered Nurse
- Communicate effectively with the patient and family regarding role responsibilities
- Basic understanding of organizations environment of care and infection control policies and procedures
- Basic understanding of reasons for and techniques for managing aggressive behavior
5
Patient Sitter Job Description
Job Description Example
Our growing company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of patient sitter. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for patient sitter
- Conveys attitudes of compassion, empathy, and understanding
- Does not discuss any information related to patient’s medical condition or plan of care
- Seeks guidance and direction when unsure
- Informs nurse immediately if patient expresses desire t harm self/others or wants to leave the hospital
- Provides report to relief patient sitter and to nurse prior to leaving at shift end
- Provides only constant observation
- Does not make personal phone calls, eat food in the room, or sleep
- Allows patient control of television (channel, volume)
- Does not use any items or personal electronics (iPod, iPad, game boy, ) or anything that can distract attention from patient
- Does not leave patient(s) until relief patient sitter has arrived and is in the patient room
Qualifications for patient sitter
- Understand and follow CCMC policies and procedures
- Excellent interpersonal skills and communication required
- Demonstration of effective listening skills
- Demonstrates competency in standard clinical procedures unit specific patient management protocols
- 6 months expereince in acute care setting (preferred)
- Patient Care/C.N.A