POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION TITLE: HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT DEPARTMENT/SERVICE: MEDICAL WARD REPORTS TO: CLINICAL NURSE MANAGER APPROVED: Manager Date ACCEPTED: Employee Date ROLE SUMMARY This position works principally within the department or service specified above, however all employees at Whanganui District Health Board may be required to undertake duties in other areas of the organisation which promote the efficient and effective operation of Whanganui District Health Board which reasonably fall within the general parameters of this position PURPOSE OF THE POSITION To assist registered nurses in delivering safe and effective patient/client care and related activities in accordance with legislative requirements and WDHB policy. Working within and role modeling the values of the Whanganui District Health Board is an expectation of the role and will form part of performance monitoring. The Whanganui District Health Board Our Vision: Our Mission: Better health and independence To improve health and independence through a responsive and integrated health system 1
Our Values: Co-operation: Working collaboratively and positively with others Social Equity: Valuing people, respecting diversity, and responsiveness in reducing disparities in health Adaptability: Being flexible and able to respond to change and new circumstances, or initiate change Development: Growing and learning, empowering people and communities to achieve goals Integrity: Acting honestly and openly, following ethical principles, serving the public interest Responsibility: Having concern for the consequences of our actions, prioritising and allocating resources in the best interest of the community Respect: Respecting all people, the rule of law, institutions of democracy and the Treaty of Waitangi. DIRECT REPORTS Nil DELEGATED AUTHORITIES Financial Nil Staff Nil FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS Key Contacts (internal): Nature or purpose of contact: Registered Nurses Works under the direction and delegation of the Registered Nurse Other members of the health care team Assists other health care team members as appropriate Key Contacts (external): Nature or purpose of contact: Patients/Clients and Respects values and beliefs of patients and their families/ Families/Whanau whanau Members of the Public Assists members of the public as appropriate 2
Key Accountabilities (Key areas of focus) To provide patient / client care and related activities To contribute to the effective management of resources KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Tasks Key Performance (How it is achieved) Indicators (How it will be To deliver patient care tasks delegated by the Registered Nurse. This will include assisting in activities of daily living for clients as directed. Communicates with designated clinical staff regarding patient condition and complete required documentation. Seeks and accepts advice and direction from Registered Nurse. Uses resources and equipment in a safe and appropriate manner in accordance with unit standards and protocols. Develops and maintains effective systems for ordering, storing and restocking the ward supplies. Develops and maintains effective systems for maintaining ward equipment. measured) Verbally reports to the Registered Nurse any significant observation of patient Demonstrates awareness of scope and limitation of own role and knowledge as evidenced through individual performance reviews with Clinical Nurse Manager Maintains a safe and clean environment for patients, self and other team members Area is always maintained to an acceptable level
To collaborate with the health care team To participate in own development and take responsibility for complying with the protocols, standards and guidelines for Heath Service Assistants. Health and Safety in Employment Forms and maintains positive relationship with other health care team members. Accepts and provides feedback in a constructive manner and makes appropriate adjustment. Maintains clear, concise, accurate written communication ensuring legal and unit standards are met. Demonstrates advocacy skills. Complies with policies, procedures and safe systems of work as trained. The Health Service Care Assistant must act at all times within the unit guidelines, standards and protocols, individual patient/client care plans and under the direction of their designated Staff Nurse on each duty. Comply with all safe work procedures, policies and instructions. Report all incidents hazards and injuries to supervisors in a timely manner. Actively participate in the ongoing development of safe workplace practices in Whanganui District Health Board. Peer feedback on team work and assistance Patient and family feedback on responsiveness to needs Evidence of compliance with relevant procedures and event reporting Compliance with all legislative, policy and protocol requirements Clinical Nurse Manager feedback on meeting organisation s standards as evidenced through individual performance reviews Completed the WDHB Health and Safety Orientation Course and updates Attendance at workplace safety meetings (indicated by minutes) Demonstrated by signed training records Active Involvement in, and completion of, rehabilitation programmes as required Timely, full and accurate completion of accident and hazard forms if and when required. 4
IDEAL PERSON PROFILE QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Essential Relevant Rest Home certificate (or equivalent) or have previous experience as a Health Care Assistant or similar role Desirable Nil PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES Under the Human Rights Act 199 discrimination based on disability is unlawful. Whanganui District Health Board will make all reasonable efforts to provide a safe and healthy work place for all, including persons with disability. Every effort has been made to outline requirements clearly. If a potential applicant has uncertainties about their ability to fulfill these physical requirements, enquiry should be made whether it would be possible to accommodate a particular issue by obtaining advice from Occupational Health Unit/Infection control team. *Note: Physical attributes in italics do not apply to Health care Assistants. Must be able to function in rapidly changing and demanding conditions when required. Hearing and speech sufficient to communicate clearly with patients and co-workers, monitor patient status and equipment, recognise impending emergencies relating to patients and equipment and hear emergency alarm. Ability to wear face masks and rubber gloves for protection against infectious disease. Absence of a health condition which could increase appointee's susceptibility if exposed to infections more frequently than usual Skin condition should allow frequent contact with water, soap/disinfectant soap, chemicals and latex rubber. Skin should not be fissured, scaly, cracked on hands, forearms, face or neck. The appointee must not have infection or colonisation with MRSA. The appointee must not have a health condition that will put others at risk. Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a variety of specialised equipment used within wards/departments at Wanganui Hospital as required, including syringes and intravenous pumps together with safe administration of drugs and use of clerical items including personal computers. A high degree of physical capacity is required as the work is physically demanding, involving standing, walking, sitting, stretching, twisting bending and lifting/moving weights up to and above 15 kilogrames frequently. (Stature extremes may increase hazard of shared activities). A high degree of mental concentration is required. Ability to move about and undertake necessary duties (sometimes in restricted spaces) in wards / departments / community settings within Whanganui District Health Board. Visual ability sufficient to read, write/record, operate equipment, safely administer medications, monitor equipment and patient status enabling accurate performance of essential job duties Successful interviewees will need to know their "Hepatitis B" status and have available recent documented MRSA clearance 5
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES Whanganui District Health Board has a Competency Framework that describes the behavioural competency levels required for each role within the organisation. One = high level of competency required to perform this role five = low level of competency required. Competency Description Level Required Communication Willing and able to initiate verbal discussion/dialogue to ensure goals are met. Makes good use of active listening skills. Ignores other distractions. Articulates response clearly. Time Management Manages time to maximum advantage on a day to day basis, generally meeting deadlines. Takes a proactive rather than reactive approach to activities. Customer Responsiveness Has a sound awareness of customer needs and works actively to improve customer satisfaction. Takes personal responsibility for correcting customer service problems. Corrects problems promptly and objectively. Problem Solving Attempts to solve problems as they arise and seeks assistance or confirmation from peers to ensure solution is appropriate. Makes constructive suggestions on alternative approaches where relevant Team Work & Co-operation Cultural Awareness Shares all relevant or useful information with team members. Willing to sacrifice personal goals for the achievement of team objectives. Is an enthusiastic and willing participant of the team approach Has an understanding of the Articles and Principles of Te Tiriti O Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi. Is aware of the Maori Model of Health Te Whare Tapa Wha. Attempts to pronounce Maori words correctly. Is aware of Kaupapa/Tikanga Maori. Demonstrates some understanding of health gains. 6