Patient Companion - Per Diem

Mount Desert Island Hospital; Bar Harbor (ME); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

MDI Hospital in Bar Harbor, ME seeks a Patient Companion to observe a single patient and assist nursing staff in maintaining a safe environment. You will help prevent falls and elopement, offer comfort, and engage patients through conversation, activities, or hand-holding as allowed.

This role involves calling for licensed staff when needed and reporting to the RN when leaving the patient alone. High school diploma required with preference for BLS, strong communication and observation skills

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Current BLS Provider status is preferred.
• Maintain compassionate and professional at all times with patients in distress.
• Outstanding communication, listening and observation skills for interactions with patients and staff.
• Ability to respond swiftly.

Responsibilities

• Provide continual observation to one patient to ensure safety.
• Assist in fall prevention and prevention of patient elopement.
• Use distraction or comfort techniques to engage patients (reading, walking, music, games).
• Call for licensed staff when needed and report to RN when leaving the patient alone.

Skills

Communication skills

Observation skills

Listening skills

Patient interaction

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

BLS Provider (preferred)

Tools

Basic computer skills

Job description

Description

The Patient Companion provides continual observation to one patient and assists the nursing staff in providing a safe environment for the patient. The patient companion will assist in fall prevention and prevention of patient elopement. Through the use of distraction such as reading to the patients, walking with them, using music, playing board games or just holding patient's hand for comfort. This position may involve the patient in activities as patient allows but will not have any direct patient care, handling or feeding. This staff member will call for assistance from licensed staff when needed and will report to RN when leaving the patient alone.

Benefits:

MDI Hospital and Birch Bay Retirement Village offer a competitive salary, robust medical/dental/vision/life insurance, identity theft protection program, matching retirement plan, ample paid time off, a comprehensive award winning wellness program with reimbursement incentives, generous tuition reimbursement, and continuing education benefits. Some positions may qualify for a sign on bonus and relocation assistance.

EEO Statement:

MDI Hospital and Birch Bay Retirement Village provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.

Requirements

Education, Training or Certifications Required:

1. High school graduate or equivalent.
2. Current BLS Provider status is preferred.

Experience Required:

1. Maintain compassionate and professional at all times and when exposed to patients in high emotional distress.
2. Outstanding communication, listening and observation skills for interaction with patients, families, visitors, team members, physicians and other hospital personnel.
3. Ability to respond swiftly..

Special Requirements:

1. Basic computer skills preferred.

Physical Demands:

1. Sitting for extended periods of time (up to 4 hour intervals).
2. Must be able to walk, bend, stoop and reach/lift above your head, without any assistive devices.
3. Must be able to read documentation in a variety of formats such as in print and electronically.
4. Must be able to hear adequately enough in order to clearly communicate with others and use communication devices such as telephones must be able to hear patients, alarms, call bells, etc.
5. Maintains mental and emotional stability, using a courteous and calm approach in all contacts with patients, visitors and healthcare team members.

Environment:

1. Potential for exposure to blood and body fluids.
2. Potential for exposure to contagious diseases.
3. Potential for periods of high stress.