PRN - Unit Support Associate - I/P Psych Unit

Minimum Education
High School Diploma or GED (Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge

• Basic computer skills (Preferred)

• Previous pediatric or childcare experience - 2 years (preferred)
  
  Required Licenses and Certifications
  Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider (BLS) (Required)
  
  Functional Accountabilities

  Maintain Patient Safety

• Maintain environmental safety through room sweep and checklist

• Adhere to principles of pediatric safety through use of handrails, seat belts and direct observation.

• Never leave patient unattended

• Intervene quickly to calm, redirect, reorient patient, or guide patient to prevent harm to self or others.

• Remain in patient room unless relieved by nurse or another Unit support associate

• Accompany patient for any procedures off the unit

Meet/Satisfy Patient Needs

• Engage patient in distracting, age appropriate goal oriented behavior, provide activities and conversations that are distracting and therapeutic (discuss with bedside RN)

• Reinforces positive behavior

• Assist with linen changes and room stocking

• Assist in activities of daily living, including but not limited to washing, toileting, position changes and assistance with meals

• Maintain universal precautions

• Assist with providing breaks as directed by Charge Nurse

Maintain a Clean and Safe Environment

• Keep room clean and tidy

• Maintain a calm environment

• When not responsible for direct patient observation stock unit, nurse servers, carts etc as directed by charge nurse.

• Monitor common unit areas for cleanliness, stock par levels and supplies

• Reports safety hazards to staff i.e. broken furniture/broken equipment

• Assist in a variety of unit support activities as directed by Charge Nurse i.e. room set up, answer call bells, customer service activities.

Effective Communication with Other Staff

• Reports pertinent patient information and call for assistance if the patient develops destructive behaviors i.e. pulling lines.

• With RN establishes priorities for individual patient communicates with team members in establishing priority tasks.

• Maintains regular communication with RN related to assigned duties and patient behavior; preforms activities within prescribed scope, seeks clarification when needed

• Immediately report escalating behaviors to RN

• Confers with RN when confronted with unfamiliar patient care issue.

• Ensure information sharing when handing off to new Safety attendant