Patient Safety Companion

DCH Health System • Tuscaloosa, AL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Safety Companion observes assigned patients to help ensure their safety and assists with basic patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Assignments may be on various units at Tuscaloosa and Northport DCH facilities. The role serves adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients and requires onsite physical presence and the stamina to work a 12-hour shift.

The position involves direct observation, supporting patients who may harm themselves or others, assisting with personal care and mobility, documenting care, and following safety precautions. The companion also helps maintain clean and safe patient rooms and equipment, uses supplies economically, and assists nursing staff in limiting personal items in the rooms of suicidal patients.

The role requires communication and collaboration with patients, families, coworkers, and colleagues; the ability to manage conflict and time pressure; and use of electronic mail, telephone, texting, time and attendance software, learning management software, the intranet, and electronic medical records. Work may involve exposure to bodily fluids, disease, infection, laboratory chemicals, hazardous materials, and cleaning solutions, and requires use of common protective equipment.

Requirements

• Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
• American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider certification is required within 30 days of employment in the Patient Safety Companion role.
• Must have basic computer skills to use the electronic medical record, email, time and attendance software, learning management software, and intranet.
• Must have reliable transportation to support assignments between two facilities.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately, receive delegation, work in groups, and perform structured and unstructured work.
• Must be able to meet time pressures and timelines and perform work exactly and accurately.
• Must be able to tolerate prolonged standing and walking and possess the stamina to work a 12-hour shift.
• Must be able to reach reasonable distances in any direction; stand, walk, kneel, bend, sit, stoop, and lift; and run in an emergency.
• Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner and perceive temperature, texture, shape, and size with fingertips.
• Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.
• Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 30 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.
• Must be able to use 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

• Directly observe assigned patients at all times.
• Help keep patients at risk of harming themselves or others safe.
• Assist with basic personal care in accordance with the Registered Nurse's plan of treatment, including measuring and recording intake and output.
• Assist with positioning, lifting, turning, transferring, and ambulating patients, and with normal range of motion.
• Assist patients with use of a bedpan, urinal, or commode; provide care for incontinent patients; and provide skin care to immobilized patients.
• Assist with feeding patients.
• Carry out safety precautions listed on the daily assignment sheet.
• Accurately document care according to policies and procedures.
• Complete initial and annual competency requirements for the job class.
• Use safety principles and proper body mechanics when performing personal and supportive care.
• Use supplies economically and help maintain equipment and patient rooms in a clean and safe manner.
• Assist nursing staff in maintaining a safe environment for suicidal patients, including limiting personal items in patient rooms.
• Meet performance, patient and employee satisfaction, and financial standards described in the performance evaluation.
• Comply with Employee Handbook requirements and DCH Health System policies and procedures, including DCH Behavioral Standards.
• Perform essential duties in a manner that promotes the safety of patients, visitors, and employees; identify unsafe practices and take appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed