Anyone know how to get a job as a patient sitter?

[cslomko2]

I just got accepted into the nursing program, but will not be starting until the fall. I also just got laid off my job, so I figured an entry level position into the hospital would be a patient sitter. My grandma is in the hospital alot, and all of the staff says they are in desperate need of patient sitters and to apply online. When I go online, I see nothing! Im wondering if they use a different name other than patient sitter? Also someone told me that the hospitals do not hire the sitters, that agencies do? Im so confused. I live near Detroit, Michigan, so if anyone knows any patient sitter agencies, or how to get a job as one please let me know!

Thanks

[movingforward3]

I just got accepted into the nursing program, but will not be starting until the fall. I also just got laid off my job, so I figured an entry level position into the hospital would be a patient sitter. My grandma is in the hospital alot, and all of the staff says they are in desperate need of patient sitters and to apply online. When I go online, I see nothing! Im wondering if they use a different name other than patient sitter? Also someone told me that the hospitals do not hire the sitters, that agencies do? Im so confused. I live near Detroit, Michigan, so if anyone knows any patient sitter agencies, or how to get a job as one please let me know!

Thanks

hospitals and nursing homes and extended lt care facilities hire people for "sitter" jobs.

call them and ask.

you may want to move this to michigan so anyone who knows of openings in michigan can help you.

when i applied at hospitals - such as dmc - they specifically were hiring for sitters.

it depends on the economy and if the hospital or facility has a lot of medicaid patients they can't afford the cost.

for a hospital to pay $10-$12 for someone to only sit by a bed and cater one on one to a patient is VERY expensive.

sometimes they hire for them...but usually they use the cna staff they have and have them sit when needed.

you can go online to henry ford, dmc, st johns, st joseph mercy, beaumont, u of m and look for sitter postings in their hospitals.

you can call nursing home, and extended care places also.

[Terdalin]

Allegiance Hospital in Jackson, MI uses patient sitters, though they call them Patient Observers. Allegiance has a high rate of medicare/medicaid patients because they are a not-for profit hospital; however, they pay more like $8 per hour. They do pay a shift premium, though. All jobs are posted at http://www.allegiancehealth.org in the careers section.

If you are a nursing student, this would be an excellent way to see nursing from the patient's point of view. The shifts are 8 hours, so you are with a patient, in his/her room for long periods of time. Generally, you talk with the patient, if they are in a talkative mood. You keep confused patients from pulling out catheters, I.V.s and such. You help fall-risk patients, so that they don't have additional falls during their hospital stay. You attend them, even when they are transported for testing, too. Sometimes this is a real comfort to the patient who is unsure of the procedure. You can help the patient to the bathroom, if they are allowed out of bed. If ambulatory, you can go with them for walks. If unable to feed themselves, you can help feed them, too. If really energetic, you can play card games or other games - if they are available. As you can see, you don't just sit in a room with the patient (unless they are asleep.)

I have been told that other hospitals in Michigan are also using patient sitters, though it seems that each hospital uses a different title for the position, and sometimes it's not well-known because hospitals have a limited supply of sitters to use.

Good luck with nursing. I know this is an old post, but thought I would reply anyway, in case other student nurses are currently looking for this sort of job to start out.

[Leafhouse]

At the hospital I work at in Southern California, sitters are CNAs. You're either assigned to work the floor or you work as a sitter but you don't find out until you arrive for your shift.

[Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN]

If you haven't found a job based on these types of duties yet, look into getting your CNA license. It's usually pretty quick and decently affordable to obtain. I know a few facilities in my area offer day/night CNA courses. Maybe you can find a local hospital or care facility that provide these courses. I believe it'll be my route if I get into the LPN program next semester. My college offers it, but I'd have to switch my major over to Health Care Aide and then back to LPN if I took that route, so I rather find a place other than school, since I'm already enrolled in LPN! It's something to look into, if you haven't already.