Can anyone tell me what patient sitter/safety attendant exactly does??

[swtchariot]

I have an interview as a patient sitter/safety attendant for a hospital and it's only going to be for 1 day a week and every other weekends. I read the duties briefly, but since I have no experience, I was wondering if any nurses or anyone who has knowledge can tell me about it. I'm going to get a day shift meaning 7-3. I'm also starting nursing school this semester so I thought it would help me. also, how much do you think i will get paid per hour if i work in a northern nj hospital as a sitter?

[loriangel14, RN]

You do just what the job title implies. You keep and eye on the patient and ensure they are safe.

When you interview for the job you will have to enquire as to what the salary is. It varies greatly.

[NP Sam]

A sitter stays with one patient during the shift. You don't let them out of your sight and you accompany them everywhere. You don't perform patient care tasks unless you have been trained to do so. I LOVED it! I got paid 9/hr in FL when I did it prn for extra income. I don't know what type of pt you will have but mine were either elderly or suicidal. It can be boring so bring your schoolwork with you. Take the job! You will be able to observe many things and will provide you with some experience.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

You sit with the patient and keep an eye on them. Reasons for sitter cases usually due to the patient being confused or a very high fall risk (such as getting up to the bathroom without using the call light for help). You'll help the patient with their needs and since you will be doing 7-3, you'll also probably be doing their morning care. You keep an eye on them to make sure they aren't pulling at any lines or drains or picking at any dressings. I've had patients who were unnecessarily made sitter cases, patients who were very easy to sit with (very pleasant or would sleep pretty much the whole time) and I have also sat with patients who are not so pleasant and sometimes combative.

Sometimes sitting can be nice but other times it can be very boring because I think sitting makes the time go by so much slower. When I have to sit, I always bring something to do (such as a book to read and lately, I've been bringing my NCLEX book and other study materials) just in case.

Sometimes sitters are referred to as companions, as well.

[Azure1213]

We had a patient sitter for my grandma during her last days in the hospital because she kept pulling off her Venturi mask for oxygen and they had to make sure it was on, so just an example.

[bhanson]

Our patient sitters are basically only allowed to hit the call-light for the patient if they need help with something.

In fact, I once met an LVN going to school for RN that was working as a patient sitter. Their reasoning is that as a patient sitter they were able to study at work.

It's kind of interesting because on my particular unit our LVNs have A LOT of responsibility. Very close to the RN level and the difference is much smaller than most would expect.