Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

General Summary:    
 
The Patient Safety Associate (PSA) will provide on-site virtual or in-person direct observation of selected patients to identify at-risk behavior in line with hospital policies. They will join a core team to maintain a safe environment through continuous 1:1 monitoring of patients showing harmful behaviors such as, but not limited to, fall risk, suicidal ideation, line pulling, elopement, and aggression. PSAs will collaborate with Registered Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants, and other care providers. They'll receive training in managing harmful behaviors, therapeutic patient interaction, safe de-escalation, and handling virtual monitoring equipment and software. 

Essential Job Functions:

•    Maintains a safe environment for the patient, family, and staff through continuous monitoring of patients. If at the bedside, remaining at arm’s length and facing the patient, including when patient is in the bathroom, and other activities as assigned.
•    Effectively and respectfully communicates with patients and family to foster a therapeutic and collaborative relationship.
•    Monitors patients for changes in behavior -- redirects, as needed; or collaborates with appropriate staff to intervene (nurse, physician, nursing assistants, etc.). 
•    Maintains age/developmentally appropriate patient interaction in a therapeutic manner focusing on behavioral monitoring and de-escalation interventions. 
•    Actively reinforces goals and parameters set by the care team, which may include age/developmentally appropriate goals, expectations, and behavioral limits. 
•    Understands and navigates virtual patient monitoring technology and the system’s daily tasks.
•    Knows emergency protocols and intervenes in anticipated emergency situations.
•    Documents patient interaction, care delivered/patient responses to interactions/interventions in the Electronic Health Record (EHR), while utilizing the behavioral support guidelines.
•    Participates in the hand-off (PSA to PSA at change of shift or to other team members) and communicate any special care considerations, care priorities or support needs for all continuously monitored patients.
•    Perform components of general care needs (eating hydration and/or elimination) if/when needed.
•    Transport patients to and from other units and testing areas, as necessary.
•    Respond appropriately and promptly to direction given by nursing or other clinical staff.
•    Other job functions as assigned.

Compliance: 
•    Practice proper safety techniques in compliance with hospital/departmental policies and procedures. Report employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents (and other safety issues) to supervisor. 
•    Supports clinical operations and decisions related to treatment plans. Responds to environmental concerns (maintenance/cleanliness) of the area.
•    Participates in staff meetings, as scheduled.
•    Consistently adheres to scheduling requirements.
•    Maintain patient rights, including privacy and security of all confidential and protected health information and privacy and integrity.
•    Comply with all related policies accompanying the patient safety associate role. 
•    Demonstrates ongoing competency of the job (initial training, on-going education and age-related/cultural competencies).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

Required:
•    High school diploma or equivalent (GED)
•    Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association 
•    Must be able to interact or be comfortable with software and hardware technology
•    Must be able to remain calm and manage verbal/physical responses in stressful situations
•    Strong communication and interpersonal skills
•    Functional sight, hearing and speech. Ability to sit and stay alert for prolonged periods of time.

Preferred:
•    Prior knowledge of mental/behavioral health conditions and their presentation in pediatric patients.
•    Certification (nursing assistant, medical assistant, nursing student or other allied health)
•    Experience working in a healthcare setting.
•    Experience working with children in a healthcare or school-like setting.

Education

Pay Range

At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions. In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits.

Benefit Statement

For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Employer paid group term life and disability

Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave

403(b) with a 5% employer match

Various voluntary benefits:

• Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability
• Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage
• Tuition assistance
• Student loan servicing and support
• Adoption benefits
• Backup Childcare and Eldercare
• Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members
• Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities
• Discount purchasing program

There’s a Place for You with Us

At Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and its affiliates (collectively “Lurie Children’s”), we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.  

Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers.  We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

For questions about how to request an accommodation please contact: [email protected]

AI Notice 

Lurie Children’s utilizes certain AI-enabled features within our recruiting platform to support candidate engagement and assist recruiters in identifying and prioritizing applicants whose experience aligns with job requirements. All employment decisions are made by individuals.

It is a civil rights violation with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, or employment for an employer to use artificial intelligence that has the effect of subjecting employees to discrimination on the basis of protected classes under the Illinois Human Rights Act or to use zip codes as a proxy for protected classes.

For questions about the use of artificial intelligence in this process or any additional support, please contact: [email protected]