Patient Safety Companion

UMMS is a 14-hospital system with academic, community, and specialty medical services reaching every part of Maryland and beyond. As a national and regional referral center, UMMS provides trauma, cancer care, neurocare, cardiac care, women’s and children’s health, and physical rehabilitation. UMMS is the fourth largest private employer in the Baltimore metropolitan area and one of the top 20 employers in Maryland.

About the role

Provides constant observation and support to patients who require close monitoring due to medical or behavioral reasons. This role ensures patient safety and well-being while extending courtesy and support to the patient's family and visitors.

Responsibilities

• Provides continuous observation of assigned patients to maintain patient safety.
• Obtains verbal report from the patient’s nurse regarding care needs, diagnosis, barriers (visual, auditory, or language), and special considerations (NPO, bed alarms, etc.).
• Maintains a calm composure and soft tone when communicating with the patient.
• Verbally redirects the patient from engaging in risky or harmful behaviors.
• Summons nursing staff if the patient requires assistance using appropriate communication tools.
• Monitors and attempts to prevent patient self-harm, falls, elopement, smoking, or dislodging of medical devices (IV lines, O2 apparatus, catheters, drains, dressings).
• Requests immediate assistance for changes in patient condition or disruptive behaviors.
• Initiates CPR as needed to ensure patient care and safety.
• Maintains infection control practices (standard and isolation precautions).
• Maintains appearance and order of patient rooms and work areas.
• Engages the patient in diversional activities such as coloring and games when appropriate.
• Demonstrates respect for individuals, customer service, teamwork, and collaboration.
• Identifies and acts on opportunities to respond to customer needs and prevent potential complaints.
• Initiates and reports service recovery steps for customer concerns.
• Monitors patients according to age, culture, ethnicity, spirituality, and diagnostic needs.
• Uses hand-off communication to convey clinical and patient information.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information (HIPAA).
• Provides an inclusive environment for peers, orientees, and students.
• Voices differences of opinion professionally through appropriate channels.
• Assists in ensuring patient safety.
• Attends required education and training.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
• Current CPR certification required.
• Previous healthcare experience preferred.
• Knowledge of proper body mechanics preferred.

Skills

• Demonstrates maturity, tact, judgment, and sensitivity to people.
• Ability to function independently with minimal supervision.
• Knowledgeable and supportive of patient and organizational confidentiality.
• Ability to read, write, and use computer systems.
• Effective communication and interpersonal relationship skills.
• Ability to respond to patient behavioral changes.
• Ability to organize work priorities, multitask, and function in stressful situations.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a healthcare team.
• Ability to complete documentation and forms related to patient observation.
• Strong verbal communication and organizational skills.