Patient Care Partner, Float Pool

About the Role

The Patient Care Partner promotes the safety, health, and comfort of patients, families, and staff. This role involves the care of behavioral health/psychiatry patients in a hospital setting, potentially assigned to the Emergency Department or inpatient units. The Patient Care Partner is trained to visually monitor patients and provide direct patient contact or care.

Patient Population Focus

• Homicide attempt
• Positive screen with suicide assessment or suicide attempt
• Violent behavior towards self or others
• Elopement/wander risk
• Fall risk
• Confused mental state/ cognitive impairment
• Patients with eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia)

Key Responsibilities

Patient Care

• Receive and provide hand-off reports from/to the care team regarding patient status and behaviors.
• Notify the primary nurse of changes in patient behavior.
• Collaborate with patient care nursing staff regarding patient observation.
• Communicate effectively with patient nursing staff regarding observed behaviors and changes.
• Understand and adhere to observation levels and standards (constant observation, 1:1, roving attendant/every 15-minute checks).
• Provide direct, face-to-face observation of patients at risk of harming themselves or others, or those in restraint and/or seclusion.
• Incorporate de-escalation techniques in daily practice.
• Record observations in the patient record according to the designated documentation interval and Connecticut Children's policy.
• May travel with patients off the unit for testing or other reasons as determined by the care team.
• Assist with supervised clothing changes and secure patient belongings.
• Assist patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), including bathing, dietary needs, and escorting patients off the unit.
• Complete patient documentation as appropriate.
• Provide environmental and room surveys to ensure a safe patient care environment.
• Support patients with meals and other activities of daily living (shower/toileting/diversionary activities).
• Check meal trays upon removal to ensure all objects are removed.
• Observe patients closely to ensure they do not obtain or retrieve objects that could be used for harm.
• If assigned to constant observation, remain with the patient until relieved or the observation level changes.
• Support restraint activities as delegated by the primary Registered Nurse.
• Assist with procedural holds as directed by MD, Provider, and/or RN.
• Communicate effectively with patients and families regarding role responsibilities.

Operations; Environment

• Round continuously to observe for early intervention needs of escalating patients/situations.
• Maintain a safe environment of care, free of hallway clutter and safety concerns.
• Participate in post-restraint huddles.

Customer Service

• Establish effective relationships with patients, families, staff, and external customers/consultants.

Quality

• Be accountable for departmental and hospital quality and safety initiatives and goals.
• Demonstrate necessary age-specific and cultural competencies in all treatment and contact with patients/families.
• Demonstrate knowledge of age-related differences and needs of patients across appropriate populations (neonate through adolescence) and apply them to practice.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients/families.
• Value cultural diversity and other individual differences in the workforce.
• Demonstrate support for the mission, values, and goals of the organization through behaviors consistent with Connecticut Children's standards.
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements & Tech Stack

Education

• High School Diploma, GED, or higher level of education requiring high school completion.

Licensure & Certification

• BLS/CPR (American Heart Association) required within 2 weeks of hire and must remain current.
• Non-violent Crisis Intervention (CPI) certification to be obtained within the first 3 months of employment (training provided) and must remain current.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

• Basic medical terminology, mathematics, and measurements.
• Basic understanding of the organization's environment of care and infection control policies and procedures.
• Basic understanding of reasons for and techniques for managing aggressive behavior.
• Ability to understand and follow Connecticut Children's policies and procedures.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication.
• Demonstration of effective listening skills.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate in English is required (bilingual competency, Spanish preferred).
• Competency in standard clinical procedures and unit-specific patient management protocols.

Abilities

• Maintain quality, safety, and infection control standards.
• Learn and follow established protocols to respond in emergency situations.
• Learn and demonstrate competency in basic data entry and documentation in the medical record.
• Work effectively across all levels of the organization.

Work Schedule

• Rotating shift schedule available for Part-Time & Full-Time.
• Part-Time and Full-Time positions require every other weekend and holiday rotations.