Safety Companion

Overview

Centra State Healthcare System, headquartered in Freehold, New Jersey, is a leading nonprofit healthcare provider dedicated to serving the community. Its comprehensive network includes Centra State Medical Center, a community‑focused hospital, an ambulatory campus, two senior living facilities, three free‑standing community health pavilions, and a charitable foundation. As the third‑largest employer in Monmouth County, Centra State has earned repeated recognition as a Great Place to Work‑Certified company.

Centra State Medical Center currently has an employment opportunity available for a Safety Companion. In this role, the Safety Companion provides supportive nursing assistance to licensed professionals by performing assigned duties and services essential to delivering high‑quality patient care. Responsibilities are carried out in accordance with The Joint Commission and Centra State Healthcare System policies and procedures. Care is delivered using a patient‑focused, multidisciplinary model that emphasizes collaboration and safety.

All new hires attend system‑wide orientation and nursing orientation. Orientation and annual renewals also include non‑violent crisis intervention training to ensure a safe and supportive environment for both patients and staff.

• Provides considerate respectful care focused upon the patient’s individual need to ensure patient satisfaction.
• Affirms the patient’s right to make decisions regarding his/her medical care, including the decision to discontinue treatment, to the extent permitted by law.
• Demonstrates the ability to obtain information and interpret information in terms of the needs of the age of the patients cared for. Demonstrates an understanding of the range of care needed based on the age of the patients cared for.
• Successfully completes life‑span education as appropriate.
• Follows Standard Precautions.
• Provides a safe environment for the patient under the direction of a registered nurse.
• Remains with patient(s) at all times as directed by the RN when assigned the task of bedside sitter or 1:1 observation.
• Identifies self to patient and/or family members or significant others.
• Reports behavior changes and patient requests to patient care provider. Does not leave patient unattended, even while reporting observations when assigned the task of bedside sitter or 1:1 observation.
• Calls for assistance from Nursing staff if needed. May initiate a Code Gray if warranted. Never leaves patient unattended during a safety concern.
• May be called upon to assist Nursing staff in the restraining of patient (if needed).
• Maintain patient rooms in neat, orderly manner.
• Identifies risk management concerns and communicates findings to the appropriate individual(s) as related to safety, effectiveness, and cost in planning and delivering patient care (as needed).
• Demonstrates initiative in the work environment (self‑starter).
• Correctly performs all scheduled and assigned tasks while continually observing patient needs.
• Provides basic nursing care, including partial and/or complete direct personal hygienic care to patients (i.e.: feeding, diversional activity, assisting nursing staff with changing and bathing) and assists patients with activities of daily living.
• Assists with patient meal services.
• Participates in preparation and intervention of diagnostic or therapeutic patient care with practitioner.
• Reports and documents status of patient condition and patient care outcomes to RN.
• Notifies nurse immediately for patient’s complaints of pain/discomfort and any observed change in condition. Provides appropriate interventions for pain as directed by nurse and reports outcomes.
• Verbalizes/performs understanding of 1:1 precautions and documents appropriately.
• Conducts rounding on patients in accordance with hospital policy/protocol and documents appropriately.
• Demonstrates the use of the Telesitter monitoring and alarming equipment along with the ability to notify the Primary care nursing staff of identified unsafe behaviors/patient needs.
• Documents necessary telesitter information in Excel spreadsheet as needed.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Related…