Patient Sitters assist in the provision of a safe and clean environment for patients who are deemed at risk for additional injury, due to physiologic, mental and/or behavioral limitations, has made recent suicide attempt, or is expressing suicidal ideations. A Patient Sitter is initiated by a physician order and/or nursing judgement. Under the supervision of an RN, a Patient Sitter provides:

• Continuous observation and surveillance of assigned patients.

• The first line of action to verbally re direct the patient from engaging in risky behavior and summons additional help as needed.

The “On call sitter” position commits to 48 hours of call per 6 weeks. On call blocks are scheduled in 4 hour increments with up to 40 hours of commitment per sitter per week available per sitter position.