Patient Safety Attendant

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health insurance, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

Key Essential Functions and Accountabilities of the Job

• Provides direct observation by remaining at a safe distance to the patient and staying alert and focused on to ensure patient safety

• Adapts environment to provide maximum comfort for patients – room temperature, room lighting, noise levels (generally quiet with low stimulation)

• Calms the patient as needed and provides diversional activities/distractions such as reading, games, coloring, television, or taking the patient for a walk as allowed

• Maintains a safe room environment by keeping room free of obstacles and clear of any items that may be used to harm self or others

• Maintains a safe room environment by keeping room free of obstacles and clear of any items that may be used to harm self or others Helps patients that can walk with minimal assistance to the restroom, help with the use of a walker, push a wheelchair, etc.

• Assists Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA’s) or other care providers with simple tasks such as bed making, filling water pitchers as appropriate, emptying garbage and keeping room order

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned or needed to meet the needs of the patient/department

• May be requested to assist with transferring or transporting patients

• May be requested to assist with various clerical tasks such as stocking, filing, building down time folders, etc.

• Supports and models behaviors consistent with SEARHC’s Mission, Vision, Values, Code of Business Conduct, and Service Expectations

• Maintains competency and all organizational, departmental, and outside agency environmental, employee, or patient safety standards relevant to job performance

• Identifies needs and sets goals for own growth and development, meets all mandatory organizational and departmental requirements

Additional Details:

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required:

• High school diploma or GED – required

• BLS within 30 days of post hire

• HSS training within 30 days of post hire

• Clinical Competency required within 3 months of hire and every three years

Experience Required:

• None - Will receive on the job training

Knowledge of:

• SEARHC policy and procedures, both organizational and departmental

• HIPAA and confidentiality requirements

• Patient Rights

• SEARHC Code of Business Conduct

• Basic education of disease processes necessitating need for constant observation

• Educated in patient and PSA safety (i.e. standard precautions, hand washing, contact isolation, etc.) fall/injury prevention, back safety, safety goals

• De-escalation techniques

• Knowledge of diversional activities

Skills in:

• Professional interpersonal communication skills (both verbal and written)

• Interpersonal skills which enable the PSA to appropriately respond to a variety of patient and family requests, to respond to inquiries from the providers, nursing staff and to check for understanding, allay apprehension, and enlist cooperation of the patient

• Engaging and monitoring the patient for safety

• Refer care concerns to the RN, House Supervisor, and/or provider

Ability to:

• Incorporate population specific needs into all aspects of communication and patient care, scope of services provided will encompass age groups ranging from infant through geriatric

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships

• Utilize time management concepts to maximize time effectively

• Work effectively in a team environment · Work with general supervision

Computer Skills:

• Basic knowledge of computer software platforms

Travel Required: 

• Must be able to travel between MEMC and Sitka LTC assignment as directed by House Supervisor

Safety and Risk Management Responsibilities:

• Employees are responsible for complying with safe work rules; reporting all accidents and injuries immediately; cooperating in all accident and injury investigations; reporting defective equipment and unsafe conditions.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms.

• The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must lift and/or move 50 lbs.

Work Environment:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Position Information:

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!