Patient Companion

Job Title: “Patient Companion” for individuals admitted to community hospitals in New York Counties

Job Location: Otsego County

Only Candidates From Otsego County Can Apply

Wage: $15 to $20 hourly and $30 will be paid during holidays. On an As needed basis.

Job Description:

• Patient Companion is required to report to the hospital’s Head/Charge Nurse of the unit/floor where the OPWDD individual is located, to Receive direction regarding the care to be provided; Communicate regarding breaks and meal schedules.
• Patient Companion is to provide the following services subject to the rules and regulations of the community hospital unless directed by hospital staff or OPWDD staff to do otherwise:
• Interact with hospitalized individuals assisting with their adjustment to a new environment, interpreting and communicating their needs, as necessary, to appropriate hospital staff.
• Provide individualized assistance based upon the individual’s needs including communicating preferences in foods, diet consistencies, etc.
• Observe the individual's responses to treatment and report them orally to the appropriate hospital staff.
• Maintain a communication log to report applicable observations to the incoming Patient Companion staff.
• Provide limited behavioral intervention (soothing, reassuring, etc.) if the individual is exhibiting agitated or anxious behavior.
• Assist individuals with grooming activities (combing hair, brushing teeth, cleaning fingernails, shaving, applying powders/lotions, etc.).

Under the direction of hospital nurses, assist hospital staff as necessary/directed with:

• Ambulating.
• Bathing or showering.
• Toileting needs.
• Changing clothing.
• Changing bedding.
• Repositioning individuals.
• Individual’s food and/or fluid intake.
• Provision of social interaction, attention, companionship, and engaging the individual in meaningful activities.

With hospital staff, escort the individual to inpatient hospital treatments and testing.

Patient Companions must be awake and alert regardless of the shift assignment. Any form of inattentiveness/distractedness (sleeping, drowsiness, excessive phone usage, etc.) while on duty will not be tolerated and will result in the immediate removal of the Patient Companion from their assignment, and the Patient Companion may not be allowed to return to any future assignment with OPWDD. OPWDD reserves the right to not compensate the Contractor for shifts with sleeping, inattentive, or distracted Patient Companion staff.

The Contractor’s employees will adhere to all policies and regulations of the Hospital, including but not limited to smoking, parking, etc.

Patient Companion Qualification:

• Patient Companion possesses a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Patient Companion can record information, keep simple records, and is able to understand and carry out directions and instructions.
• Patient Companion is in good health and is verified to be currently free from any communicable diseases, including but not limited to:
• Tuberculosis: Submit to Tuberculosis testing/inoculation according to 14 NYCRR Section 633.14.