Patient Safety Companion - Emergency Department

Company Description

When you come to the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center, you’re coming to more than simply a beautiful 37-acre, 218-bed suburban Baltimore, Maryland campus. You’re embarking on a professional journey that encourages opportunities, values a team atmosphere, and makes convenience and flexibility a priority. Joining our team of healthcare professionals means you’ll be contributing to a locally and nationally recognized institution. UM St. Joseph has been recognized by The Leapfrog Group as a grade ‘A’ hospital and by U.S. News & World Report as #3 in both the state and Baltimore Metro area, making UM St. Joseph the highest-ranking community hospital in Maryland. In addition, we’ve been consistently recognized as a top employer by Baltimore magazine.

Job Summary

• Provides constant observation and companionship to assigned at-risk patients (confused, disoriented, combative, suicidal) to ensure patient's safety while in the hospital setting. Monitors for and intervenes and prevents patients from self-harm.
• Ensures patients comply with prescribed activity limits. Protects patients from falls, dislodging IV lines, O2 apparatus, catheters, and/or drains and dressings.
• Requests immediate assistance for noted changes in patient condition and/or disruptive behaviors. Works under the direction/supervision of the nursing care team assigned to the patient
• Alerts nursing care staff for assistance with toileting, feeding, or other physical care needs of the patient.

Working Environment

• May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights.
• May be exposed to toxic, caustic, chemicals, and / or detergents.
• May be exposed to radiation/electromagnetic energy.
• May be exposed to dust/particulate matter.
• May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids, or infectious organisms.
• May be exposed to potential electrical shock.

Organizational Expectations

• Compliance: Understands regulatory requirements with regard to compliance and all other laws and regulations that apply to the organizational operations (e.g. Code of Conduct) and how these regulations apply to the individual’s role/ department/ unit. Proactive in addressing compliance issues; reporting through appropriate channels such as supervisor, chain of command and Ethics Point. Completes mandatory introductory and ongoing training within the specified timeframes.
• Maintains current knowledge in present areas of responsibility (i.e., self-education, attends ongoing educational programs).
• Adheres to and exhibits our core values: Reverence: Having a profound spirit of awe and respect for all creation, shaping relationships to self, to one another and to God and acknowledging that we hold in trust all that has been given to us. Integrity: Moral wholeness, soundness, uprightness, honesty and sincerity as a basis of trustworthiness. Compassion: Feeling with others, being one with others in their sorrows and joys, rooted in the sense of solidarity as members of the human community. Excellence: Outstanding achievement, merit, virtue; continually surpassing standards to achieve/maintain quality.
• Works collaboratively and supports efforts of team members. Demonstrates exceptional customer service and interacts effectively with physicians, patients, residents, visitors, staff and the broader health care community.
• Attends staff meetings and completes mandatory in-services, requirements and competency evaluations on time.

Job Roles

PATIENT SAFETY COMPANION

• Intervene when patient is attempting to pull at IV lines, Oxygen apparatus, catheters, drains, and dressings. -
• Intervene when patient is attempting to climb out of bed/chair until assistance arrives. -
• Observe for changes in patient condition, breathing, responsiveness, behavior and/or conversation, and self-injurious behavior, notifying Nursing care staff immediately.
• Notify Nursing care staff for any clinical patient care needs - toileting, feeding, pain or emergencies.
• Provide social interaction/distraction to patient when applicable.
• Assist with basic non-clinical patient needs and comfort measures. -
• Assure that the environment of care is a safe environment. -

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED (Required)

Certification / Licensure / Registration

• Not Applicable – No Certification and Licensure Requirements required or preferred

Experience and Skills

• Required Skills: Strong Verbal Communications Skills, Excellent Organizational Skills

Physical Requirements and Physical Demands

• Pulling with force: Occasionally within shift (1-33%) Reaching above head:
• Must be able to accurately document pertinent information either by writing or typing.
• Standing: Frequently within shift (34-66%)
• Lift from floor level up: Frequently within shift (34-66%)
• Balancing: Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Walking: Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Visual acuity adequate to perform job duties, including reading information from printed sources and computer screens.
• Bending: Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Lift above shoulders/head: Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Lift from waist level up: Frequently within shift (34-66%)
• Reaching above shoulder: Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Lifting 10 lbs. maximum and occasionally lifting and/or carrying articles:
• Crouching: Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Must be able to perform repetitive tasks/motion.
• Must be able to communicate clearly in person and over the telephone.
• Squatting: Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Occasionally within shift (1-33%) Lifting 20 lbs. maximum and frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 lbs: Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Must be able to distinguish colors.
• Kneeling: Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Sitting: Frequently within shift (34-66%)

Additional Information

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