Patient Safety Companion

DCH Health Care Authority•Tuscaloosa, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Safety Companion observes patients, ensures their safety needs are met, and assists with basic patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Assignments may be on various units at the Tuscaloosa and Northport DCH facilities. The role serves adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients and requires onsite physical presence, including the ability to work a 12-hour shift. The position applies safety principles and proper body mechanics when assisting with personal and supportive care. It also requires accurate documentation, completion of initial and annual competencies, economical use of supplies, and maintaining clean and safe equipment and patient rooms. The companion supports a safe environment for patients, visitors, and employees, follows DCH policies and behavioral standards, and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Ability to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider certification required within 30 days of employment in the role.
Basic computer skills to support use of the electronic medical record, email, time and attendance software, learning management software, and intranet.
Reliable transportation to support assignments between two facilities.
Ability to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
Normal or corrected-to-normal hearing and vision.
Ability to tolerate prolonged standing and walking; reach reasonable distances; stand, walk, kneel, bend, sit, stoop, lift, and run in an emergency.
Ability to move fingers in a coordinated manner and perceive temperature, texture, shape, and size with fingertips.
Stamina to work a 12-hour shift.
Ability to exert up to 50 pounds occasionally, 30 pounds frequently, and 10 pounds constantly to move objects.
Ability to communicate clearly and accurately, receive delegation, work in groups, handle conflict and time pressure, and perform both structured and unstructured work accurately.
Ability to use electronic mail, telephone, and texting.
Ability to work onsite and wear common protective and safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, masks, and gowns.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Previous patient care experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Observe assigned patients at all times and help ensure their safety needs are met.
Keep patients at risk of harming themselves or others safe, including helping limit personal items in a suicidal patient's room.
Assist with personal and safe care according to the Registered Nurse's plan of treatment.
Assist with measuring and recording patient intake and output.
Assist with positioning, lifting, and turning patients, and with normal range of motion and transfers.
Assist patients with bedpans, urinals, or commodes; provide incontinence and skin care; ambulate and feed patients as needed.
Carry out safety precautions listed on the daily assignment sheet.
Accurately document care provided according to policies and procedures.
Complete initial and annual competency requirements for the job class.
Use supplies economically and help maintain clean, safe equipment and patient rooms.
Maintain performance, patient and employee satisfaction, and financial standards outlined in the performance evaluation.
Comply with Employee Handbook requirements and DCH policies and procedures, including DCH Behavioral Standards.
Identify unsafe practices and take appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards for patients, visitors, and employees.
Use electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software, and the intranet as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.