Patient Companion (60% Days)

The Patient Companion observes assigned patients while maintaining a continuous safe and therapeutic environment.
The primary role of the patient companion is to provide continual direct observation at the bedside to insure safety from falls and/or risk of injury to self or others.
The secondary role of the patient companion is to work in tandem with nursing staff to complete ancillary tasks such as helping patients with family communication, tidying up of rooms and work areas, hourly rounding to address or escalate patient needs, etc.
Ancillary Medical only patient companions do not sit with patients who have SI/HI.
This individual monitors the patient’s verbal and behavioral expressions related to any idea or intention of hurting oneself or others, thoughts of leaving without physician’s permission or to promote the safety of a patient while hospitalized.
The Patient Companion has access to confidential patient information and works under the direct supervision of an RN and functions under the indirect supervision of the Director of Nursing.