Care Companion - Float Pool - Full Time 24 Hours/Week - Days

Nebraska Methodist Health System; Council Bluffs (IA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Nebraska Methodist Health System is seeking a patient-care assistant to provide 1:1 supervision and continuous support in a hospital setting. The role emphasizes safety, timely response to patient needs, and coordination with care teams to ensure comfort and adherence to age-specific care criteria.

Responsibilities include maintaining patient environment, assisting with transfers and feeding as needed, and ensuring accurate communication of patient issues to staff.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Mandatory inservices and continuing education programs as mandated by policies, procedures, and external agencies.
• Previous cleaning, food service, and/or patient related experience preferred.
• Orientation and on the job experience will be provided to learn hospital procedures and work routines.
• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) strongly preferred at time of hire, required within 3 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provides a safe environment for patient(s) by providing 1:1 supervision for patients whose behavior has been identified at risk for injury and/or may jeopardize treatment.
• Provides appropriate care specific to the age of the customer/patient to ensure understanding and comfort level of treatment as outlined in the Age Specific Criteria.
• Demonstrates ability to identify opportunities for and give individualized customer service/care according to customer/patient needs.
• Exhibits excellent interpersonal relations with patients, co-workers, and guests to ensure effective communication.
• Responds to patient needs promptly and courteously.
• Communicates patient issues to the appropriate staff.
• Maintains a positive attitude while responding to requests in a timely and accurate manner.

Skills

Understanding instructions

Communication

Critical thinking

Patient care awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED preferred

Job description

Job Summary

Location: Methodist Jennie Edmundson

Address: 933 E. Pierce St. - Council Bluffs, IA

Work Schedule

7am to 7pm, 24 hours per week

Responsibilities

Provides a safe environment for patient(s) by providing 1:1 supervision for patients whose behavior has been identified at risk for injury and/or may jeopardize the continuation of medically necessary treatment.

• Provides appropriate care specific to the age of the customer/patient to ensure understanding and comfort level of treatment as outlined in the Age Specific Criteria.
• Demonstrates ability to identify opportunities for and give individualized customer service/care according to customer/patient needs.
• Exhibits excellent interpersonal relations with patients, co-workers, and guests to ensure effective communication.
• Responds to patient needs promptly and courteously.
• Communicates patient issues to the appropriate staff.
• Maintains a positive attitude while responding to requests in a timely and accurate manner.
• Behavior logs completed after each shift and turned into Core.
• Assists in keeping excess stimulation to a minimum.
• Provides assistance with repositioning, turning, and chair transfers.
• Provides transportation assistance.
• Assists with every two hour toileting schedule, if appropriate.
• Responds to bed exit, sit/stand alarms by assisting the patient(s) in their immediate needs.
• Helps feed patients as necessary and offers nutrition/fluids frequently, if appropriate.
• Maintains patient environment by keeping room neat and tidy, free of clutter and attending to patient amenities such as newspapers, mail, and tissues.
• Calls for assistance if unsure of observation or activities of the patient(s).
• Assists with diversional activities, if appropriate.
• When sitting for two patients, ensures constant visual contact with both. When sitting for a suicide precaution patient, maintains constant visual contact at all times.

Job Requirements

Education

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Participation in mandatory inservices and continuing education programs as mandated by policies, procedures, and external agencies.

Experience

• Previous cleaning, food service, and/or patient related experience preferred.
• Orientation and on the job experience will be provided to learn hospital procedures and work routines.

License/Certifications

• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) strongly preferred at time of hire, required within 3 months of hire.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

• Understanding and carrying out instructions, following schedules, communicating information, and reading simple clear instructions.
• Collecting and reporting patient needs to the appropriate caregiver.
• Demonstrating critical thinking skills commensurate with job description.

Physical Requirements

Weight Demands

• Medium Work – exerting up to 50 pounds of force.

Physical Activity

• Occasionally Performed (1%–33%):
  • Climbing
  • Crawling
  • Kneeling
  • Sitting
• Frequently Performed (34%–66%):
  • Balancing
  • Carrying
  • Crouching
  • Distinguish colors
  • Keyboarding/typing
  • Lifting
  • Pulling/pushing
  • Repetitive motions
  • Standing
  • Stooping/bending
  • Twisting
  • Walking
• Constantly Performed (67%–100%):
  • Fingering/Touching
  • Grasping
  • Hearing
  • Reaching
  • Seeing/Visual
  • Speaking/Talking

Job Hazards

• Not Related:
  • Explosives (pressurized gas)
  • Electrical shock/static
  • Radiation Alpha, Beta, and Gamma (particles such as X‑ray, CAT scan, Gamma Knife)
  • Radiation Non‑Ionizing (ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwaves that cause injuries to tissue)
• Rare (1%–33%):
  • Chemical agents (toxic, corrosive, flammable, latex)
  • Mechanical moving parts/vibrations
• Occasionally (34%–66%):
  • Biological agents (primary airborne and blood‑borne viruses) – Jobs with patient contact (BBF)
  • Physical hazards (noise, temperature, lighting, wet floors, outdoors, sharps) – more than ordinary office environment
  • Equipment/Machinery/Tools

Nebraska Methodist Health System is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local law.