Position Description - Mental Health Assistant

Role title: Casual Mental Health Assistant, Mental Health Inpatient Unit

Reports to:Clinical Nurse Manager

Directorate:Mental Health Addictions and Intellectual Disability Directorate

Direct reports:No Direct Reports

Location:SouthlandHospital

Role of the District Health Board
Our Vision:
  • Better Health, Better Lives, Whanau Ora.
Our Mission:
  • We work in partnership with people and communities to achieve their optimum health and wellbeing. We seek excellence through a culture of learning, enquiry, service and caring.
The Southern Way:
  • Patients are at the centre of everything we do
  • We are a single unified DHB which values and supports its staff
  • We are a high performing organisation with a focus on quality
  • We provide clinically and financially sustainable services to the community we serve
  • We work closely with primary care to provide the right care in the right place at the right time
Our Statutory Purpose:
  • To improve, promote and protect the health of our population.
  • Promote the integration of health services across primary and secondary care services.
  • Seek the optimum arrangement for the most effective and efficient delivery of health services.
  • Promote effective care or support for those in need of personal health or disability support services.
  • Promote the inclusion and participation in society and the independence of people with disabilities.
  • Reduce health disparities by improving health outcomes for Maori and other population groups.
  • Foster community participation in health improvement, and in planning for the provision of, and changes to the provision of services.
  • Uphold the ethical and quality standards expected of us and to exhibit a sense of social and environmental responsibility.

Southern DHB 15198 V6 Issued 22/08/2013Page 1 of 6

Initial: Employee ______

Employer ______

Mental Health Assistant – Inpatient Mental Health Unit

Purpose of the Role:
Mental Health Mission Statement:
“We as a team strive to provide high quality Mental Health Services that focus on wellness, respect, dignity and acceptance for consumers/tangata whaiora and their families/whanau and to pursue excellence with Tika (right), Pono (truth) and Aroha (love).”
To assist staff with direct and non-direct client care activities, and maintain the ward/unit environment to ensure efficient and effective functioning/processes for clients and staff.
Main Objectives:
To work as a member of the team to ensure the smooth functioning of the ward/unit/service environment
Maintain a high standard of ward/unit housekeeping through assigned routine duties
Assist staff as directed in the care of clients/patients
Organisational Competencies:
Customer Focus / Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
Integrity and Trust / Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; can present the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn’t misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.
Drive for Results / Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; Is constantly and consistently one of the top performers; very bottom line oriented; steadfastly pushes self and others for results.
Role Specific Competencies:
Key Relationships:
Internal:
  • Associate Charge Nurse Manager
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Nursing staff
  • Medical staff
  • Allied Health staff
  • Clerical staff
  • Mental Health Community and Emergency Team Members
/ External:
  • Family/Whanau
  • Visitors
  • NGO’s

Knowledge, Experience and Skills required:
Work experience/Qualifications
  • Experience working with people in the health sector an advantage
  • Demonstrated experience in customer service and knowledge of customer service approach to care delivery/service provision
Skills/Knowledge:
  • Computer literacy is essential
  • Empathetic and respectful communication skills are required
  • A person who is very organised and has a common sense approach to all tasks
  • A positive can-do attitude in assisting others and getting the task at hand completed is vital
  • Ability to participate in personal restraint if required.

Key Accountabilities / Deliverables / Example Measures
TREATY OF WAITANGI /
  • The Southern District Health Board is committed to its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi. As an employee you are required to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi - Partnership, Participation and Protection.

HEALTH AND SAFETY /
  • Southern District Health Board is committed to achieving the highest level of health and safety for its staff. All employees are expected to take initiative and identify report and resolve issues that may cause harm to themselves or others in the organization. As an employee of Southern District Health Board, the health and safety of clients and colleagues, as well as your own, are your responsibility. You are expected to work safely at all times, and to actively participate in health and safety programs in your area. It is expected that you will report all accidents or potential hazards to your manager.

COMMUNICATION /
  • Communicates effectively and accurately with the service team/patients/family/visitors
/
  • Answers the telephone, responds appropriately and in a timely manner
  • Reports any concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor as appropriate
  • Accurately documents in a timely manner, in a variety of mediums

  • Communicates in a manner that is respectful and adheres to legislation
/
  • Maintains an open, effective communication style with staff/patients/families/visitors
  • Maintains privacy for staff and clients and adheres to the principles of the Privacy Act and Health and Disability Commissioner’s Act

CULTURAL SAFETY /
  • Practise in a manner that is respectful of difference
/
  • Is respectful of clients personal beliefs, values and goals
  • Manner during contact with clients and family members reflects sensitivity to issues of culture and professionalism
  • Maintains an appropriate standard of dress that reflects the expectations of Southern DHB standards

CLINICIAL RESPONSIBILITIES /
  • Is involved in client care as directed by nursing staff
/
  • Assists with the care of clients as directed by nursing staff
  • Report any concerns to the registered nurse or supervisor
  • Chaperone patients when necessary
  • Carry out client watches as directed by registered nurse/supervisor

TEAM CONTRIBUTION /
  • Participates as a team member and promotes a collaborative environment
/
  • A client centred approach is used in all interactions within the team
  • Team building practises are promoted
  • Actively participates as a team member by supporting team decisions, attends meetings and
  • Is adaptable to the changing needs of the environment

  • Acts as a resource person for staff
/
  • Is a resource person for staff and clients/family/whanau
  • Assists in the orientation of new staff on the day-to-day management of the ward/unit

ROUTINUE TASKS /
  • Completes routine weekly/daily/shift tasks in an effective and efficient manner
/
  • Restock hand wash dispensers, paper towels, sharps containers
  • Rubbish/biohazard and linen bags are changed as necessary, in unit and client rooms
  • Beds made where appropriate
  • The unit is kept tidy and bed spaces kept accessible

  • Manages imprest and non-imprest stock
/
  • Non-imprest stock levels are monitored and ordered as necessary
  • A twice-weekly imprest is carried out for treatment and medication rooms. Stores are unpacked and shelves re-stocked

  • Equipment is maintained
/
  • Check emergency equipment is present in each area as delegated by nursing staff
  • Carry out regular equipment checks and ensure it is ready for use at all times

  • Adhere to infection control processes and policies
/
  • Comply with service/unit protocols
  • Beds and bed spaces are ready for admissions as per infection control and service protocols
  • Maintain exceptional infection control processes
  • Wet dust shelves and other identified areas by supervisor

PROVIDE CLERICAL ASSISTANCE /
  • Provide clerical assistance as required
  • Answers telephone and follows up accordingly
  • Assists with obtaining records/x-rays, and forwarding information onto other staff/agencies

PERFORM SUCH OTHER DUTIES AS MAY BE REASONABLY REQUIRED /
  • Carry out duties as directed in an efficient and productive manner.
  • Demonstrate individual responsibility and maintain accountability for own work practice.

SELF DEVELOPMENT /
  • Proactively engage in the performance appraisal process on an annual basis
  • Complete Fire, Manual Handling, CPR and computer training as per the Southern DHB policies
  • Undertakes appropriate training to carry out the role, as directed by line manager

QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE /
  • Maintain professional and organisational quality standards.
  • Ensure delivered work is planned, delivered, and implemented consistently against quality standards.
  • Continuously identify improvement opportunities to perform job in most effective manner.
  • Investigate opportunities to achieve goals in a more efficient way.
/
  • Performance is in alignment with HR quality audit standards, organisational requirements, and professional standards.

Note: The above example measures are provided as a guide only. The precise performance measures for this position will require further discussion between the job holder and manager.

Remuneration Specification:

Date effective:______

Manager’s signature:______

Employee’s Signature:______

Southern DHB 15198 V6 Issued 22/08/2013Page 1 of 6

Initial: Employee ______

Employer ______