Patient Safety Companion Behavioral Health
About The Position
Provides constant observation and support to patients who require close monitoring for medical or behavioral reasons. Helps ensure patient safety and well-being while patients receive care, maintaining a secure and comfortable environment. The role also extends courtesy and support to patients’ families and visitors. The position requires attentiveness, compassion, maturity, tact, judgment, and sensitivity. The companion works with minimal supervision and as a member of the healthcare team, communicates effectively, responds to behavioral changes, and completes documentation related to patient observation. Previous healthcare experience and knowledge of proper body mechanics are preferred.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
- CPR certification, or ability to obtain it within 60 days of hire.
- Ability to read and write.
- Ability to learn and use computer systems.
- Effective communication and interpersonal relationship skills, including strong verbal communication.
- Ability to respond to patient behavioral changes.
- Ability to organize work priorities, perform multiple duties simultaneously, and function in stressful situations.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as a member of the healthcare team.
- Ability to complete documentation and forms related to patient observation.
- Demonstrates maturity, tact, judgment, and sensitivity to people.
- Knowledgeable about and supportive of patient and organizational confidentiality and related hospital policies.
Nice To Haves
- Previous healthcare experience.
- Knowledge of proper body mechanics.
Responsibilities
- Continuously observe assigned patients to maintain safety and obtain a verbal report from the patient’s nurse about care needs, diagnosis, barriers to communication or perception, and special considerations.
- Communicate calmly and in a soft tone, and verbally redirect patients from risky or harmful behaviors.
- Summon nursing staff using appropriate communication tools when patients need assistance, their condition changes, or disruptive behavior occurs.
- Monitor for and attempt to prevent self-harm, falls, elopement, smoking, and dislodging IV lines, oxygen apparatus, catheters, drains, or dressings; call for assistance and redirect the patient as appropriate.
- Initiate CPR as 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, collaboration, and inclusive conduct; respond to customer needs and concerns, report service-recovery steps, and communicate professionally through appropriate channels.
- Monitor patients with consideration for age, culture, ethnicity, spirituality, and individual diagnostic needs.
- Use hand-off communication to convey appropriate clinical and patient information and maintain HIPAA confidentiality.
- Assist in ensuring patient safety.
- Attend required education and training.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Work a PRN rotating schedule of three shifts every six weeks, including one Saturday or Sunday shift and one winter and one summer holiday.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
