Patient Safety Companion

University of Maryland Medical System•Glen Burnie, MD

6d•$17 - $22

About The Position

The Patient Safety Companion provides constant observation and support to patients who require close monitoring for medical or behavioral reasons. The role helps ensure patient safety and well-being while patients receive care and provides courtesy and support to patients’ families and visitors. It requires attentiveness, compassion, and a commitment to maintaining a secure and comfortable environment. The companion obtains a verbal report from the patient’s nurse about care needs, diagnosis, communication barriers, and special considerations. They observe patients, redirect risky behavior, summon nursing staff when assistance is needed, respond to changes in condition or disruptive behavior, and initiate CPR when needed. The role also includes infection-control practices, maintaining orderly patient rooms and work areas, engaging patients in appropriate diversional activities, communicating and documenting relevant information, maintaining confidentiality, and completing required education and training.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
Current CPR certification.
Demonstrated maturity, tact, judgment, and sensitivity to people.
Ability to function independently with minimal supervision.
Knowledge of and support for patient and organizational confidentiality and related hospital policies.
Ability to read and write.
Ability to learn and use computer systems.
Effective communication and interpersonal relationship skills.
Ability to respond to patient behavioral changes.
Ability to organize work priorities, perform several duties simultaneously, and function in stressful situations.
Ability to work with others as a member of the healthcare team.
Ability to complete documentation and forms related to patient observation.
Strong verbal communication and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

Previous healthcare experience.
Knowledge of proper body mechanics.

Responsibilities

Provide continuous observation of assigned patients to maintain safety, using information received from the patient’s nurse about care needs, diagnosis, barriers, and special considerations.
Communicate with patients calmly and in a soft tone.
Verbally redirect patients from risky or harmful behaviors.
Summon nursing staff using appropriate communication tools when a patient requires assistance.
Monitor and attempt to prevent self-harm, falls, elopement, smoking, and dislodging of IV lines, oxygen apparatus, catheters, drains, or dressings; call for assistance and attempt redirection.
Request immediate assistance for changes in a patient’s condition or disruptive behaviors.
Initiate CPR when needed.
Follow standard and isolation infection-control precautions.
Maintain the appearance and order of patient rooms and work areas.
Engage patients in appropriate diversional activities, such as coloring and games.
Demonstrate customer service, respect, teamwork, and collaboration, including responding to customer needs and preventing potential complaints.
Initiate and report service-recovery steps taken in response to customer concerns.
Monitor patients in consideration of age, culture, ethnicity, spirituality, and individual diagnostic needs.
Use hand-off communication to convey appropriate clinical and patient information.
Maintain confidentiality of patient information in accordance with HIPAA.
Help provide an inclusive environment for peers, orientees, and students.
Voice differences of opinion professionally through appropriate channels.
Assist in ensuring patient safety.
Attend required education and training.