The sitter is a member of the patient care team that under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse observes and monitors the assigned patient’s behavior. The sitter will immediately report any changes in behavior to the RN. The sitter may be delegated duties by the RN to assist with basic care requirements which may include assisting with meals, bed making, and basic hygiene needs. The sitter may also assist staff to ambulate the patient if appropriate. The sitter position necessitates contact with health care providers, patients and families thus warranting interpersonal and customer service skills that promote a healing environment. The sitter helps the healthcare team attain the goal of maintaining a safe environment for the patient who is thought to have the potential to cause injury to themselves or others.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates an understanding of and a commitment to customer service values of respect, courtesy, ownership, privacy, professionalism and responsiveness.
• Collaborates and cooperates with care team members to deliver quality, compassionate care to the patient and family.
• Maintains a healing environment. Demonstrates sensitivity to patient comfort and privacy. Ensures that the patient’s dignity is preserved.
• Maintains a safe environment at all times and intervenes when suspecting a patient is in danger of hurting themselves or others while calling out for assistance. The sitter may not leave the patient’s room without approval and/ or coverage. If the sitter is asked to leave the room temporarily while the patient receives care, he/she is to wait outside the door so that he/she can resume duty without delay. If the patient’s visitor asks that the sitter leave the room temporarily, the sitter first must obtain RN approval.
  a) If the patient is restrained, the sitter may not remove or adjust the restraints. He/she is to notify the RN if the patient complains of discomfort or attempts to remove the restraint(s).
  b) If the patient is mobile, the sitter will ensure the appropriate assistance is available prior to ambulation. The sitter will reinforce with the patient not to get out of bed or ambulate without assistance.
• Accompanies patient(s) for clinical studies, documents pertinent data for observations and notifies appropriate nursing personnel when necessary.