JOB DESCRIPTION

Health Care Assistant

Surgical Ward

Position Title: / Health Care Assistant
Organisation Unit: / Surgical Wards
Location: / Wards3 & 4, WhangareiHospital
Responsible to: / Clinical Nurse Manager, Surgical Ward
Primary Functions of the Position: / To assist nursing staff in the provision of nursing care, which is safe, appropriate and of the highest quality possible to the patients in the surgical ward under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse.

Functional Relationships

The Health Care Assistant will develop and maintain excellent relationships with:

Internal / External
  • Other Clinical Nurse Managers and Leaders
  • All nursing staff
  • Patients / Families / Whanau
  • Clinical Educator Nurse
  • Allied Health professionals
  • Duty Managers
  • Bureau Coordinator
/
  • Members of the public

Key Responsibilities and Expected Outcomes

Northland District Health Board has established a set of values by which the organisation will respond, in part, to achieving its goals and objectives through their workforce. The following Values and supporting statements are expected behaviours of each individual employed with NDHB:

Values / Supporting Statement
People First
Tangata I te tuatahi / People are central to all we do
Respect
Whakaute (tuku mana) / We treat others as we would like to be treated
Caring
Manaaki / We nurture those around us, and treat all with dignity and compassion
Communication
Whakawhitiwhiti korero / We communicate safely, openly and with respect to promote clear understanding
Excellence
Taumata teitei (hirangi) / Our attitude of excellence inspires success, competence, confidence and innovation

The position of Health Care Assistant encompasses the following major functions or key result areas:

Position within the Organisation:

While the Health care Assistant works under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse, for the purposes of performance management and appraisals they are accountable to the Nurse Manager.

Key Responsibilities

  • To assist and participate in providing a high standard of care, under the direction and supervision of a Registered nurse.
  • To provide support to clinical / administrative team
  • Ensure effective communication with patients, their family/whanau, the multi-disciplinary team, other colleagues and relevant others.
  • Adhere to Northland DHB, Medical Service and Unit policies.
  • Treaty of Waitangi
  • Health and Safety

The outcome requirements of the above key responsibility areas are outlined below:

Key Responsibility Area / Expected Outcomes
To assist and participate in providing a high standard of care, under the direction and supervision of a Registered nurse. /
  • Assist by providing hygiene, toileting, dressing, eating/drinking and mobilisation and other tasks as identified by the individual patient care plan
  • Answering patient call bells
  • Identifying location of emergency equipment and their role in an emergency
  • Recognising limitations of scope of position and experience, seeking assistance when necessary
  • Maintaining universal precautions as per NDHB infection control policy

To provide support to clinical/administrative team /
  • Checking and restocking supplies in ward
  • Taking accurate messages and reporting these to appropriate people
  • Assembling patient notes and filing as directed
  • Reception / greeting function
  • Maintenance and cleaning of sluice room and treatment areas
  • Assisting with bed making, assembling patient bed spaces for admission and discharge
  • Assembling and dismantling procedure trolleys and cleaning and maintenance of equipment
  • Assisting with meals and drinks service under the direction/supervision of RN
  • Assist patients in completing menus
  • Ensure up to date diet codes are entered into patient management system on the computer

Ensure effective communication with patients, their family/whanau, the multi-disciplinary team, other colleagues and relevant others. /
  • Use communication skills to establish and maintain effective relationships
  • Assist to create an environment that is therapeutic.
  • Conduct self in responsible and professional manner.
  • Liaise with registered nurse on regular basis through the course of a duty.
  • Implement organisational vision and values
  • Respect individual patients beliefs/values
  • Provide care that is sensitive to individuals cultural needs.
  • Actively participate as part of the multi-disciplinary team

Adhere to Northland DHB, Medical Service and Unit policies /
  • Adhere to NDHB policies and procedures
  • Work within Northland DHB & Nursing Council of New Zealand’s code of conduct
  • Maintain confidentiality of patients as per Northland Health policy.
  • Be aware of and committed to ensuring patient rights are protected.

Treaty of Waitangi /
  • Contribute to the promotion of the principles of Treaty of Waitangi and the involvement if Maori within the decision making process for their health and independence, within District Health Board management processes and procedures
  • Include the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi within all aspects of the role and its outcomes
  • Ensure that consultation and engagement processes include appropriate mechanisms to meet the need of Maori in a culturally appropriate and safe manner
  • Attend the Northland District Health Board Treaty of Waitangi Training

Health & Safety /
  • Ensure compliance with designated responsibilities detailed in Northland District Health Board’s Health and Safety Policy
  • Promote an environment of physical, occupational, cultural, ethical and legal safety
  • Observe safe work practices, rules and instructions relating to work, and be pro-active in hazard management
  • Willingly cooperate in the achievement of all health and safety goals and initiatives by:
Practicing and observing safe work methods;
The use of safety equipment;
Reporting unsafe conditions or equipment; and
Reporting and documenting all accidents or incidents

Variation of Duties

Duties and responsibilities described above should not be construed as a complete and exhaustive list as it is not the intention to limit in any way the scope or functions of the position. Duties and responsibilities can be amended from time to time either by additional, deletion or straight amendment by the Clinical Nurse Manager to meet any changing conditions.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications
Essential / Desirable
  • Literacy Skills
/
  • Recognised course in Care Giving / HCA
  • Computer skills

Experience
Essential / Desirable
  • Previous experience in a people related work environment working with ‘people’
/
  • Previous health sector experience

Awareness and Understanding of
Essential / Desirable
  • The Treaty of Waitangi and its application to the health setting
  • Privacy Act (1993) and Health Information Privacy Code (1994)
  • Health and Safety in Employment Act (1992)
/
  • Health and Disability Commissioner (Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights) Regulations (1996)
  • New Zealand Council of Healthcare Standards

Skills & Personal Attributes
Skills
  • Effective communication skills
  • Ability to work within a Team environment
  • Observation skills
  • Effective time management
  • Ability to prioritise
  • Ability to work under direction and follow instructions

Personal Attributes
  • Non judgmental caring positive approach
  • Empathetic to others
  • Professional approach to position
  • Commitment to customer focused care
  • Ability to adapt and be flexible within the ward environment

Performance Development Review

An initial review of performance will be conducted after three months, with an annual review thereafter.

An individual Development Plan will be developed to reflect the contribution this position is expected to make towards achieving the team’s objectives and measures. Key result areas will be developed and agreed at this time.

Authorised by: / Clinical Nurse Manager
Signature:
Date:

Acceptance

Acceptance of the position implies acceptance of this position description.

Position Title:
Signature of employee:
Date: