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 for 12-hour shifts. The position involves direct observation, supporting patients with personal care and mobility, following assigned safety precautions, and accurately documenting care. The companion also helps maintain safe, clean patient rooms and equipment, supports nursing staff in limiting personal items for suicidal patients, and follows DCH policies, procedures, and behavioral standards. Work may involve exposure to body fluids, disease, infection, laboratory chemicals, hazardous materials, and cleaning solutions, and requires use of protective equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Ability to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
American Heart Association Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider certification required within 30 days of employment in the role.
Basic computer skills to use the electronic medical record, email, time and attendance software, learning management software, and intranet.
Reliable transportation to support assignments between two facilities.
Ability to tolerate prolonged standing and walking; reach in any direction; 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.
Ability to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
Normal hearing and vision, or corrected to within normal range.
Stamina to work a 12-hour shift and ability to be physically present onsite.
Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 30 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.
Ability to communicate clearly and accurately, receive delegation, work in groups, deal with conflict and unpleasant or physically aggressive personalities, and perform structured and unstructured work accurately under time pressure.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient-care experience.

Responsibilities

Observe assigned patients at all times and help keep patients at risk of harming themselves or others safe.
Provide personal and supportive care according to the Registered Nurse’s assigned plan of treatment.
Assist with measuring and recording patient intake and output.
Assist with positioning, lifting, and turning patients; ambulation; and normal range-of-motion activities.
Assist patients with use of a bedpan, urinal, or commode; provide incontinence and skin care; and assist with feeding.
Carry out safety precautions listed on the daily assignment sheet and document care according to policies and procedures.
Complete initial and annual competencies for the job class.
Use safety principles and proper body mechanics when performing patient-care techniques.
Help use supplies economically and keep equipment and patient rooms clean and safe.
Assist nursing staff in maintaining a safe environment for suicidal patients by limiting personal items in the patient room.
Meet performance, patient-satisfaction, employee-satisfaction, and financial standards outlined in the performance evaluation.
Meet compliance requirements in the Employee Handbook and adhere to DCH Behavioral Standards and all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
Perform essential duties in a way that supports the safety of patients, visitors, and employees; identify unsafe practices and take appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards.
Use electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software, the intranet, and related electronic systems.
Perform other duties as assigned.