Patient Safety Attendant: Entry Training

About this course

Hospitals assign patient safety attendants, also called sitters, safety companions or 1:1 observers, to stay with patients who are at risk of harm: patients at risk of suicide or self-harm, patients likely to fall, and patients with delirium or dementia who wander or pull at lines. The attendant watches, keeps the room safe, engages the patient, writes down what they see and tells the nurse right away when something changes.

This course gets you ready for that job and the interview. You will learn what you do and what you never do, how to watch and write a good observation entry, how to keep a patient at risk of suicide safe without leaving them, fall and confusion basics, calm redirection, face-to-face handoffs, privacy and infection prevention. A practice lab walks you through one night on 1:1 observation, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

About 5 hours, self-paced: 7 lessons with practice quizzes, a practice lab, a printable pocket card, and a final of 30 questions drawn from 84 (80 percent to pass, 3 attempts, 45 minutes). You earn a certificate of completion.

Knowledge only. This course does not replace employer orientation, competency checks, CPR or BLS, or any state requirement, and it does not promise a job. Follow your hospital's job description, policy and the nurse's direction.