Patient Observation Tech - PRN (days) Medical Center

Overview

At Houston Methodist, the Patient Observation Tech position is responsible for demonstrating basic knowledge and skills necessary to communicate appropriately and provide continuous, electronic observation and surveillance of assigned age-specific, diverse patient population, assisting in the delivery of patient care and services. This position verbally redirects the patient from engaging in at-risk behaviors and summoning nursing staff when patient requires assistance, and reports observations and patient problems to the licensed nurse. The Patient Observation Tech position practices Patient and Family-Centered Care in concert with Houston Methodist ICARE values.

Houston Methodist Standard

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVEDRefer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Responsibilities

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment with the interprofessional care team. Participates in teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance. Works well with others to make contributions to the work effort as a whole and facilitates problem resolution.

• Interacts with peers, staff and patients in a supportive and respectful manner. Encourages open communication to achieve mutual understanding. Communication is positive and professional. Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information in a clear and timely manner.

• Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee satisfaction on unit-based scorecard, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Functions as a liaison between patients, families and staff to troubleshoot and resolve telesitter issues.

• Responds quickly, logically and patiently to questions or requests from patients and hospital staff. Organizes daily work flow, problem-solves basic and routine matters, and prioritizes simultaneous situations, seeking guidance and assistance from preceptor, licensed nurse, or management when needed.

• Maintains visual observation of assigned patients at all times and verbally redirects patients over digital 2-way audio device.

• Delivers AvaSys Mobile Carts to patient rooms, sets up the unit, and assists with testing of the unit's position, camera, and audio speaker.

• Contributes towards improving department scores for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard through peer-to-peer accountability, i.e. shift handoff/report.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Communicates with interdisciplinary team and responds quickly to patient behavioral changes Reports observations, conditions and problems of patients to licensed personnel to achieve desired patient outcomes. Provides for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.

• Provides appropriate hand-off at change of shift at patient bedside to communicate and collaborate, promoting patient-centered care.

• Seeks help and/or advice as soon as possible when patient appears to pose a threat to themselves or others. Participates in a collaborative identification an