Patient Companion

Responsibilities:

• Assures basic patient safety by monitoring patients to make certain that catheters, tubes, or other medical equipment are not inadvertently removed or disconnected.
• Assists with putting assigned patients in rooms, taking vital signs, weights, pulse oximetry.
• Assists/accompanies the patient at all times including transport, tests, transfers, ambulation; remains with patient.
• Collects patient specimens for laboratory testing.
• Identifies and reports changes in patient status to Registered Nurse or physician as appropriate.
• Follows protocols and initiates CPR and other emergency measures as required.
• Acknowledges patient concerns/needs and notifies appropriate staff for assistance when necessary.
• Provides hand-off communication regarding patient information and activities to the nurse responsible for the patient as well as the next patient companion assigned.
• Participates in hand-off report at the beginning and end of each shift; as well as at the time of any meals, breaks or change in caregiver.
• Performs environmental/safety check as required.
• Collaborates with members of the health care team to promote the delivery of patient care and the overall functioning of the unit.
• Collaborates with personnel in nursing and supportive services in assuring a safe and clean patient environment.
• Demonstrates ability to empathize with patients suffering from physical or emotional difficulties.
• Interacts with patients, visitors and all personnel in a courteous manner.
• Participates in the resolution of conflicts in a healthy and constructive manner.
• Maintains confidentiality of information regarding patients and co-workers.
• Demonstrates respect for individuals' cultural and social differences.
• Completes all documentation on the Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) flow sheet as directed by the assigned RN.
• Contributes to the positive atmosphere of the workplace.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Assists with direct and indirect patient care for one to two patients as assigned, or if assigned to a closed unit provides constant observation only for safety for three to four patients.

Education:

• High school graduate or GED.

Languages:

Certifications:

• Heartsaver Level of Basic Life Support (BLS) through American Heart Association (AHA) for healthcare providers must be obtained within the 3 months of hire.

Complexity of Work:

• Within scope of job, requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment.

Work Experience:

• Completion of a hospital based patient companion training program or equivalent experience.
• In lieu of experience, candidates may also be currently enrolled at an accredited school of nursing, with completion of a nursing fundamentals course or have completed hospital based NA/PC orientation or equivalent.
• Knowledge and understanding of basic patient care activities to include basic hygiene, skin care, normal vital signs and other general hands-on patient care functions.

Physical Requirements:

• Requires full body motion to move and lift patients, manual finger dexterity with good eye-hand coordination; involves extensive standing and walking.
• Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.