Patient Companion

Patient Companion

Requirements

• High school graduate or GED
• Heartsaver Level of Basic Life Support (BLS) through American Heart Association (AHA) for healthcare providers must be obtained within the 3 months of hire
• Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment

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.
• 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.
• Contributes to the positive atmosphere of the workplace.
• Completes all documentation on the Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) flow sheet as directed by the assigned RN.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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 preferred.