Patient Companion | Emergency Room | Days

Medical University of South Carolina•Lancaster, CA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), the Patient Companion performs patient care, patient safety monitoring, and clerical support duties to help deliver safe, quality, patient-centered care. When assigned as a Patient Safety Companion, the employee continuously observes patients who need close monitoring to maintain safety. When observation is not required, the employee works as a Patient Care Technician (PCT) and/or Unit Secretary to support direct patient care and unit operations. The role requires professional and ethical conduct, effective communication, and a commitment to maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment for patients, families, visitors, and staff. The employee cross-trains and works in multiple roles based on departmental needs and staffing requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Ability to perform frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling.
Ability to lift and move patients and equipment in accordance with hospital safety guidelines.
Ability to remain alert and attentive during extended periods of patient observation.
Ability to perform duties requiring manual dexterity, visual acuity, and effective verbal communication.
Must comply with infection-prevention and safety protocols.

Nice To Haves

Previous healthcare experience preferred.
Experience as a Patient Care Technician, Nursing Assistant, Patient Sitter, Unit Secretary, or in a related healthcare role preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide continuous one-to-one observation of assigned patients, maintaining visual contact and not leaving them unattended unless relieved by authorized staff.
Observe and promptly report changes in patient condition, behavior, or safety risks to the Registered Nurse.
Assist patients with activities of daily living, including toileting, feeding, ambulation, repositioning, bathing, grooming, and dressing, as directed.
Promote patient comfort and intervene appropriately to prevent falls, self-harm, removal of medical devices, and other unsafe behaviors according to hospital policy.
Document observations and activities as required, while maintaining patient dignity, confidentiality, and privacy.
Provide direct patient care under RN supervision, including obtaining and recording vital signs, height, weight, intake and output, and other assigned patient data.
Assist with patient transport, transfers, and ambulation using proper body mechanics and safety techniques.
Collect specimens and perform delegated clinical tasks within training and competency.
Maintain patient rooms, equipment, and supplies in a clean, organized, and safe condition.
Assist with admission, discharge, and transfer procedures and support a decentralized, patient-centered approach to care.
Process physician orders accurately and promptly according to hospital procedures.
Maintain patient charts, forms, and records, ensuring required forms and documentation are present.
Answer telephones, relay messages, and communicate effectively with physicians, staff, patients, and visitors.
Perform clerical, data entry, scheduling, record maintenance, and other administrative tasks related to patient care and unit operations.
Order and maintain adequate unit-supply inventory and support efficient workflow at the nurses' station and throughout the unit.
Cross-train and function in multiple roles according to departmental needs and staffing requirements.
Participate in orientation, ongoing education, competency validation, and performance improvement activities.
Follow hospital policies, procedures, safety standards, regulatory requirements, infection-prevention protocols, and HIPAA and organizational confidentiality standards.
Demonstrate ethical, professional, compassionate, respectful behavior and excellent customer service; support teamwork and collaboration.
Perform other duties as assigned.