Safety Specialist, Heywood Emergency Room

Heywood Hospital•Gardner, MA

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, identifying and addressing hazards, following safety protocols, and documenting findings. The specialist conducts frequent or constant patient observations as directed, records patient location and behavior, and promptly communicates behaviors and safety concerns to nursing staff to support care planning and risk mitigation. The role also assists with patient belongings and restricted items, responds to patient needs, encourages participation in treatment activities, and completes required clinical and safety documentation. This is a per-diem position with variable shifts. The posted hourly rate is $18.00–$18.36. The organization describes its compensation range as a good-faith estimate of base pay; final compensation depends on factors including experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. A high school diploma or equivalent is preferred. AHA BLS CPR 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. Patient care, mental health/behavioral health, or security experience is preferred; limited hands-on care is required.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent preferred.
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.
Limited hands-on care is required.
Required behavioral attributes: achievement motivation, concern for order, flexibility, initiative, self-confidence, customer-service orientation, interpersonal effectiveness, teamwork, analytical thinking, and information seeking.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Work with departmental and healthcare teams to complete assignments.
Maintain a clean and comfortable environment for patients and visitors.
Identify and promptly remove, or arrange removal of, potential 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 constant or frequent patient safety checks as directed by the primary nurse and document patient whereabouts.
Assist nursing staff with management of 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 patient care plans and treatment.
When requested, deliver meal trays, monitor meal intake, collect trays for return to 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 conversations, participation in therapy, and inter-patient relationships while observing behavior when applicable.
Assist with fresh-air breaks on specific units when requested.
Attend to patient needs as requested, including nutritional replenishment, telephone charging, shower toiletries, and linen for patients under frequent observation.
Ensure nursing staff inspects items visitors bring in for patients.