Safety Associate

Lifepoint Health • Columbus, OH

6d

About The Position

Columbus Springs East, part of Lifepoint Health, is a behavioral health hospital in Columbus, Ohio, providing inpatient programming for people facing mental health and addiction challenges. The Safety Associate supports a safe, structured, respectful care environment through continuous observation, patient engagement, hazard reporting, and collaboration with nursing and clinical staff. The role requires critical thinking, decisive judgment, the ability to work with minimal supervision, and appropriate action in stressful situations.

The Safety Associate monitors patients and the environment, responds to escalating situations using trained, least restrictive interventions, and promptly reports and documents incidents. The associate also supports continuity of safety coverage, protects confidential information, follows hospital and information-security policies, and performs other duties as assigned. This is a full-time night-shift position.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• CPR certification required within 30 days of employment and before any patient contact.
• De-escalation certification required within 30 days of employment and before any patient contact.
• Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s degree preferred.
• Two years of experience in a psychiatric or mental health setting preferred.
• One year of experience safely managing patient behaviors preferred.
• De-escalation instructor certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide continuous rounding and a visible safety presence throughout the facility, focusing on identified high-risk areas such as bedrooms, bathrooms, common spaces, and low-visibility areas.
• Observe, identify, and promptly report safety hazards, unsafe behaviors, and environmental risks.
• Monitor for high-risk patient behaviors, including aggression, self-injurious behavior, sexual acting out, and inappropriate interactions.
• Engage patients through therapeutic communication and supportive interaction to promote a safe, structured, and respectful environment.
• Assist with patient redirection and de-escalation using least restrictive interventions in accordance with policy and training.
• Intervene appropriately in escalating situations involving patients, visitors, or staff while maintaining safety and preserving patient dignity.
• Support early identification and intervention efforts to reduce the need for restraint or seclusion.
• Collaborate with nursing and clinical staff to support patient safety and continuity of care.
• Promptly escalate high-risk events and patient safety incidents to the RN in charge and through the appropriate chain of command.
• Participate in warm handoffs during breaks, meals, shift changes, and emergent situations to ensure continuous safety coverage.
• Accurately document safety rounds, observations, and incidents in accordance with hospital policy and regulatory standards.
• Complete incident reports for applicable events, including aggression, sexual acting out, and suicide or self-injurious behaviors.
• Maintain confidentiality and safeguard patient, workforce, and organizational information, including passwords, badges, and access devices.
• Follow information security, privacy, and hospital policies, and promptly report security or information incidents.
• Use age-appropriate communication and apply safety and intervention strategies suited to the developmental needs of the behavioral health population served.
• Exhibit the company’s core values: champion patient care, do the right thing, embrace individuality, act with kindness, and make a difference together.
• Orient new staff members to the unit.
• Document in the medical record according to policy and provide feedback to the interdisciplinary team.
• Comply with OSHA and CDC specimen guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Multiple levels of medical, dental, and vision coverage for full-time and part-time employees.
• Life, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Paid family leave and paid time off.
• Higher education and certification tuition assistance.
• Loan assistance.
• 401(k) retirement package with company match.
• Mental, physical, and financial wellness programs, including free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services, and discount programs.
• Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED