Safety Associate

Columbus Springs East is a behavioral health hospital in Columbus, OH, providing inpatient programming for mental health and addiction challenges. As part of Lifepoint Health, the facility is committed to prioritizing employee well-being to deliver exceptional patient care.

Responsibilities

• Provide continuous rounding and visible safety presence throughout the behavioral health facility, with focused monitoring of identified high‑risk areas (e.g., bedrooms, bathrooms, common spaces, low‑visibility areas).
• Observe, identify, and promptly report safety hazards, unsafe behaviors, and environmental risks to prevent patient harm.
• Monitor for high‑risk patient behaviors, including aggression, self‑injurious behavior, sexual acting out, and inappropriate interactions.
• Engage patients using therapeutic communication and supportive interaction to promote a safe, structured, and respectful care environment.
• Assist with patient redirection and de‑escalation utilizing least restrictive interventions in accordance with policy and training.
• Intervene appropriately in escalating situations involving patients, visitors, or staff to maintain safety while preserving patient dignity.
• Support early identification and intervention efforts to reduce the need for restraint or seclusion.
• Collaborate closely with nursing and clinical staff to support patient safety and continuity of care.
• Promptly escalate high‑risk events and patient safety incidents to the RN in charge and through the appropriate chain of command.
• Participate in warm handoffs during breaks, meals, shift changes, and emergent situations to ensure continuous safety coverage.
• Accurately document safety rounds, observations, and incidents in accordance with hospital policy and regulatory standards.
• Complete incident reports for applicable events, including aggression, sexual acting out, and suicide or self‑injurious behaviors.
• Maintain confidentiality and safeguard patient, workforce, and organizational information, including passwords, badges, and access devices.
• Adhere to all information security, privacy, and hospital policies, and promptly report security or information incidents per policy.
• Apply age‑appropriate communication, demonstrate awareness of developmental needs, and implement safety and intervention strategies appropriate to the behavioral health population served.
• Exhibit the company's core values: champion patient care, do the right thing, embrace individuality, act with kindness, and make a difference together.
• Orient new staff members to the unit, document in the medical record according to policy, provide feedback to the interdisciplinary team, comply with OSHA and CDC specimen guidelines, and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associate's degree preferred.
• Two years of experience in a psychiatric or mental health setting preferred.
• One year of experience in safely managing patient behaviors preferred.
• CPR certification required within 30 days of employment and prior to any patient contact.
• De‑escalation certification required within 30 days of employment and prior to any patient contact.
• De‑escalation instructor certification preferred.

Schedule

Full-time Night Shift

Benefits

• Multiple levels of medical, dental, and vision coverage for full-time and part-time employees.
• Financial protection: life, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid family leave; and paid time off.
• Financial and career growth: higher education and certification tuition assistance, loan assistance, and 401(k) retirement package with company match.
• Employee well‑being: mental, physical, and financial wellness programs including free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services, and discount programs.
• Professional development: ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities.