Patient Companion

Patient Companions play an important role in working with nurses to create a calm, caring and comfortable ward environment, offering companionship and comfort to patients.  They engage patients in conversation about things that spark their interest, or listen to them talk about any fears or concerns is hugely valuable in reducing patient anxiety and loneliness which can hinder effective treatment. Positive companionship and conversation encourages positive emotions which can speed up the healing process and significantly improve the patient’s experience during their hospital stay.

Key responsibilities:

• To sit with and talk to patients; engaging them in topics that spark their interest
• Actively listen to what the patient has to say, helping to resolve small scale issues (e.g. the need for a blanket or a drink for instance)
• For patients who do not want to converse, you can read to them or engage them with puzzles etc.
• Be led by the patient’s needs not your own.
• Escalating any conversations that give you cause for concern in line with our confidentiality training.
• Adhere carefully to all infection control protocols, including the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment as needed

What skills do I need?

• Outstanding active listening and conversational skills
• Confidence in approaching patients and engaging them respectfully in conversation
• Empathy and understanding
• The ability to know when they need to take time to manage their own wellbeing, as patients may share emotive information
• Companions must emphasize that they are neither mental health professionals nor medical doctors. They cannot provide advice nor any service that can be misconstrued as therapy.
• They may not engage in any clinical treatment. Should the patient require such services, patient companions can contact the nearest nurse’s station.
• Friendly and enthusiastic
• A caring, sympathetic, sensitive manner and a non-judgmental approach
• Understanding of confidentiality
• Willingness to work without direct supervision
• Reliable / dependable / flexible