The requirements for becoming a patient sitter differ depending on the company. In most cases, a high school diploma or its equivalent will be required. It’s also possible that you’ll have to pass a criminal background check. Some employers may prefer that you have worked as a nurse’s aid, also known as an auxiliary nurse in the UK, a psychiatric aide, or a health care assistant. After being hired by a health care agency, hospital, or nursing facility, you may be required to complete additional training.
A patient sitter is a person who provides supervision to a health-care patient who may be dangerous to himself or others. It’s also possible to work as a patient sitter for someone who just needs some extra company and care. A sitter, on the other hand, is frequently assigned to someone who has dementia, is easily agitated, or is suicidal. Because the job often involves working with vulnerable people, such as the elderly and those who lack full mental faculties, you can expect to be subjected to a background check to ensure that you are a person of good character who would not exploit those in your care.
To work as a patient sitter, you usually don’t need any kind of license or certification. Some employers, on the other hand, may require you to have professional credentials because you may be working with patients who have very specific needs. You may be in a better position to obtain higher-paying jobs if you have certification as a psychiatric technician or nurse’s aide. Before starting your job search, you should at the very least get your CPR certification. You could also volunteer in a hospital, nursing home, or other health-care setting to gain experience providing direct care to patients.
When you start working as a patient sitter, you’ll usually be assigned to one patient per shift. In general, you should not let the patient out of your sight and should notify the nursing staff immediately if the patient begins to act out, show signs of distress, or attempts to escape his room. You may also be asked to provide basic care for the patient, such as assistance with eating, hygiene, and grooming, depending on the circumstances. Because some patients are capable of social engagement, you could spend time conversing with them, reading to them, or even playing card or board games with them.