Patient Assistant / Companion

Patient Assistant / Companion

Patient Assistant / Companion

Location: Orangeburg, South Carolina

Industry: Healthcare Support

Sub-Industry: Clinical & Research Support Services

Employment Type: Full Time

Employer: Hospital Authority (MUHA)

Job Description Summary

Provides patient observation under the direction of a licensed nurse.

Work Environment:

Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances. May be exposed to unpleasant patient elements (accidents, injuries and illness). Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. May be exposed to infectious diseases. Will require flexible schedule based on need for service. Occasionally subjected to irregular hours.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Financial Responsibilities:

None.

Essential Functions:

Continuously observes patient to ensure safety. Provides 1:1 observation or close observation as assigned.

Assists nursing staff with patient searches as requested to ensure that objects that can cause harm are removed from the patient's environment.

Adheres to visitation restrictions while observing the patient. Stays with patient even when family is present for psychiatric patients.

Accompanies patient when transported off the unit for diagnostic testing.

Maintains sight of patient requiring 1:1 observation even while patient is in the restroom. Never leave patient unattended or out of sight.

Recognizes and reports appropriate data to the staff such as trying to injure self, escalating behaviors – agitation, hallucinations, pacing; change in level of consciousness, climbing out of bed.

Conveys an attitude of compassion, empathy, and understanding.

Demonstrates sensitivity to patient comfort and privacy. Maintains confidentiality of patient and unit care data.

Performs other miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

Physical requirements are primarily related to the essential functions of any job. In order to perform the essential functions of this position, you must be able to stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, talk, hear and smell.

Must be able to lift or exert energy up to 50 pounds 25% of the time and 100 pounds 50% of the time and more than 100 pounds 25% of the time.

Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), peripheral vision (ability to observe and area that can be seen move up/down or left/right) and depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances).

Mental Requirements:

Must possess the ability to read and understand simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to effectively present information one on one or in small groups to families, patients, visitors and staff.

Ability to perform basic math functions (add, subtract, multiply and divide) using numbers, and units of money.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving concrete variables and standardized situations.

Must complete and pass module titled Psychiatric Patient Holds on HealthStream.

Age Groups:

This position primarily interacts with children, adolescents, adults and aging adults and provides no direct patient care. All staff members must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to meet the physical, psycho/social, educational, safety, and related needs of the persons in the assigned work area.

Additional Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or GED required. Prior experience preferred but not required.

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.