Behavioral Health Attendant

SUMMARY

In each of our hospitals, the Behavioral Health Attendant role exists to maintain a safe environment for the patients to whom the Observer is assigned to constantly monitor without distraction.

Patients requiring observers are those who are considered high-risk either to themselves or others.

The Behavioral Health Attendant is required to maintain an unobstructed view of the patient at all times, including when the patient is in the bathroom and when accompanying the patient to any testing.

The Behavioral Health Attendant monitors the safety of the patient and reports any changes to the Registered Nurse overseeing the patient's care.

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers, and one another.

In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors, which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include:

• Instill Trust and Value Differences
• Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain constant observation of the patient, facing the patient at all times.
• Do not leave the patient unattended, including when visitors are present.
• Do not leave the assignment without RN approval and relief.
• Receive, review, and discuss the RN's report detailing any special needs or monitoring requirements.
• Immediately report any observed changes in the patient's behavior or condition to the duty nurse via the intercom system or other available communication methods.
• Inform the RN of any patient complaints related to their health.
• Call the appropriate code if needed.
• Perform patient assistance activities related to ambulation and mobilization safely, including, but not limited to, assisting patients out of and returning to their bed/chair primarily for bathroom needs (if monitoring only one patient).
• Regularly conduct room safety sweeps per policy and ensure potentially hazardous items are removed whenever possible.
• Monitor applied restraints to ensure patient safety and comfort.
• Assist in dressing and undressing the patient as needed and secure clothes and belongings according to company standards to ensure patient safety.
• Maintain a professional and safe appearance, including not wearing any items around the neck that could be used as a weapon.
• Document all observations on the patient safety sheet as instructed and within designated timeframes.
• Ensure patient confidentiality at all times and refrain from discussing patient information with anyone other than the assigned nurse and physician.
• Communicate in a professional and empathetic manner with patients by listening to and acknowledging complaints and referring such complaints to the RN.
• Refer any complaints that cannot be resolved at the point of care to the patient advocate.
• Refrain from conversations with patients regarding their medical condition or plan of care.
• Greet the patient and introduce yourself at the beginning of each assignment.
• Remain solely dedicated to observing the patient throughout the shift.
• Do not bring personal items such as phones, food, books, or magazines into the room.
• Maintain infection prevention standards during all activities.
• Maintain personal and professional boundaries at all times, including refraining from sharing personal information.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• No experience necessary; on-the-job training is provided. Previous experience in a hospital or nursing home setting is a plus.
• Good oral and written communication skills in the English language.
• Ability to accurately document pertinent information by writing or typing.
• Strong critical thinking and interpersonal skills relevant to patient care to safely and efficiently care for patients and interact with them.

EDUCATION

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• American Heart BLS certification required
• Completion of training within the first week of hire and prior to any patient observation assignments.
• Successful completion of the Care of the Aggressive Patient training provided by the facility upon hire.
• Completion of unit orientation for each unit to which the employee will be assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the main duties and responsibilities of this job.

The employee may perform or have exposure to the following 75% or more of the time:

• Talking
• Hearing
• Standing
• Visual Acuity
• Walking
• Lifting up to 350 lbs
• Sedentary work
• Light work
• Reaching
• Tasks involving exposure to blood, bodily fluids, or tissue

Pay Range: 

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

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