Safety Associate

Lifepoint Health • Columbus, OH

5d • Onsite

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 maintains a visible safety presence throughout the facility, monitors patients and the environment, and works with nursing and clinical staff to support patient safety and continuity of care. The position is full-time on the night shift.

The Safety Associate uses therapeutic communication, supports redirection and de-escalation, and responds appropriately to situations involving patients, visitors, or staff while preserving patient dignity. The role includes documenting rounds and incidents, maintaining confidentiality and information security, and following hospital policies and applicable regulatory standards. The position also includes orienting new staff, providing feedback to the interdisciplinary team, following OSHA and CDC specimen guidelines, and performing other assigned duties.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.
• 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.

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

• Conduct continuous rounds and maintain a visible safety presence throughout the facility, with focused monitoring of identified high-risk areas.
• Observe, identify, and promptly report safety hazards, unsafe behaviors, and environmental risks.
• Monitor for high-risk patient behaviors, including aggression, self-injury, sexual acting out, and inappropriate interactions.
• Engage patients with therapeutic communication and supportive interaction to promote a safe, structured, and respectful care 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 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.
• 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 appropriate to the developmental needs of the 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

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage options for full-time and part-time employees.
• Life, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid family leave and paid time off.
• Higher education and certification tuition assistance.
• Loan assistance.
• 401(k) retirement package with company match.
• 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