The phrase refers to the act of searching for employment opportunities as patient companions within healthcare facilities located in close proximity to the searcher’s current location. For example, an individual residing in Chicago might use the term to locate available positions at hospitals in the Chicago metropolitan area.
This type of role offers the benefit of providing essential non-medical support to patients who require constant supervision or assistance. The rise in demand for such positions reflects an increasing need for personalized care, particularly for elderly or vulnerable individuals within hospital settings. Historically, families bore the primary responsibility for bedside care; however, professional sitters now fill this crucial support role.