Safety Specialist, Heywood Emergency Room

Heywood Hospital•Gardner, MA

5d•$18 - $18

About The Position

The Safety Specialist collaborates with nursing and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to support safe, patient-centered care in the Heywood Emergency Room. The role maintains a therapeutic milieu through environmental and room safety checks, hazard identification and mitigation, and compliance with safety protocols. The specialist documents findings, conducts frequent or constant patient observations as directed, records patient location and behavior, and promptly communicates behavioral concerns and safety risks to nursing staff. The role also assists with patient belongings and restricted items under nursing direction, responds to patient needs, encourages participation in treatment activities, and completes required clinical and safety documentation. The position is per diem with variable shifts. Limited hands-on care is required. The hourly rate is $18.00–$18.36.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent preferred.
AHA BLS CPR certification required, or must be obtained within 60 days of hire.
DMH-approved hands-on de-escalation training required within 30 days of hire for DMH-certified units and within 60 days for other locations.
Limited hands-on care is required.

Nice To Haves

Patient care, mental health/behavioral health, or security experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with departmental and healthcare teams to complete assignments.
Maintain a clean and comfortable environment for patients and visitors.
Identify, remove, or arrange for immediate removal of potential environmental safety hazards.
Prioritize and reprioritize work according to changing customer needs.
Maintain patient safety in the milieu, complete environmental safety checklists for patient rooms, and document findings.
Conduct and document frequent or constant patient safety checks, including patient whereabouts, as directed by the primary nurse.
Assist nursing staff with managing patient belongings and restricted items.
Respond to patient and visitor needs, provide information, and refer concerns to nursing staff.
Share patient information, including behavioral concerns, with the team to support safety needs and the development and implementation of care plans and treatment.
Deliver patient meal trays when requested, monitor meal intake, collect trays, and assist patients with menus when requested.
Provide suicide observation when needed to ensure patient safety.
Promote a calm and respectful milieu that supports patient care plans and treatment.
Encourage patient conversations, participation in therapy, and inter-patient relationships while observing behavior when applicable.
Assist with fresh-air breaks on specific units when requested.
Respond to patient needs, including nutritional replenishment, telephone charging, shower toiletries, and linen for patients on frequent observation.
Ensure nursing staff inspect items visitors bring in for patients.