Safety Specialist, Watkins 2

Heywood Hospital•Gardner, MA

22d•$18 - $18

About The Position

The Safety Specialist collaborates with nursing and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to support safe, patient-centered care. The role helps maintain a therapeutic milieu by completing environmental and room safety checks, identifying and mitigating hazards, and following safety protocols. The Safety Specialist performs frequent or constant patient observations as directed, documents patient location and behavior, and promptly communicates behavioral concerns and safety issues to nursing staff. The role also assists with patient belongings and restricted items, supports patient care plans, responds to patient needs, encourages participation in treatment activities, and completes required clinical and safety documentation.

Requirements

AHA BLS CPR certification is required or must be obtained within 60 days of hire.
DMH-approved hands-on de-escalation training is required within 30 days of hire for DMH-certified units and within 60 days for other locations.

Nice To Haves

High school graduate or equivalent preferred.
Patient care, mental health/behavioral health, or security experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Work with departmental and healthcare teams to complete assignments.
Maintain a clean and comfortable environment for patients and visitors.
Identify, remove, or arrange for the immediate removal of environmental safety hazards.
Prioritize and reprioritize work according to changing customer needs.
Maintain patient safety in the milieu, complete environmental safety checklists, and document checks for each patient room.
Conduct patient checks as directed by the primary nurse and document patient whereabouts during constant or frequent safety checks.
Assist nursing staff with managing patient belongings and restricted items.
Respond to patient and visitor needs, provide information, and refer concerns to nursing staff.
Provide the team with patient information, including behavioral concerns, to support safety needs and the development and implementation of care plans and treatment.
When requested, deliver patient meal trays, monitor meal intake, collect trays for dietary staff, and help patients complete menus.
Provide suicide observation when needed to help ensure patient safety.
Promote a calm and respectful milieu that supports patient care plans and treatment.
Encourage patient conversation, participation in therapy, and inter-patient relationships while observing behavior when applicable.
Assist with fresh-air breaks on specific units when needed.
Attend 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.