Title:Healthcare Assistant

Reports to:Charge Nurse/Midwife/Manager

Date: July 2017

The Healthcare Assistant supports the effective day-to-day operation of a designated department/ward by undertaking delegated activities and assisting in the provision of patient care supporting patients, families/whanau and the health care team. The Healthcare Assistant works under the direction and delegation of Registered/Enrolled Nurses/Midwives or other Registered Health Professionals to support the delivery of patient care and maintenance of a safe, pleasant, functional environment. Service Descriptor:  Identified patient/client group for the role  Area of speciality clinical practice and setting that care will primarily be delivered in. Key points of integration and collaboration with other teams; services or providers

 The anticipated outcomes of care/intervention Note: The service description must be approved by the relevant Nurse/Midwife Director. Key accountabilities: To perform day to day service delivery within the team by:  Assisting nursing/midwifery staff and other health professionals with the provision of basic care for patients as specified for the designated department  Meeting and greeting patients and their family or representatives and answering phone enquires and referring calls of a clinical nature to the appropriate health professional Assisting in the daily functioning of the designated department to ensure its smooth running such as housekeeping duties, restocking and some reception/administrative tasks as specified  Attending to all activities in a time efficient manner Ensuring effective communication within the health care team by displaying good listening skills, checking for understanding, interpreting instructions accurately and demonstrating the ability to express information well and comprehensively  Identifying and communicating opportunities for improvement of service and implementing changes as directed, within the scope of the position  Maintaining a responsive professional manner in all interactions with staff and patients  Acting in a culturally safe and sensitive way at all times, demonstrating the ability to communicate with other cultures  Maintaining hospital and patient information as confidential and private in accordance with ADHB policy.

 To be responsible for own professional development by  Maintaining knowledge of current best practices  Continually seeking to improve knowledge about the organisation and new processes  Attending educational opportunities relevant to the role  Establishing annual goals, objectives, performance targets and strategies to meet these. To contribute to the overall service of the department by Ensuring resources are used effectively and ensuring priorities are met  Ensuring Data integrity is maintained  Completing project work as requested  Supporting ADHB key goals as directed by manager. Authorities: This position has no delegated authority Direct Reports (if applicable): N/A Budget Accountability (if applicable): N/A Relationships: External Internal Committees/Groups  External agency staff who may be working in the HCA’s area Charge Nurse/Midwife/ Health Professional /Team Leader  Clinical Nurse Educator Nursing/Midwifery team  MPedical Staff  Allied Health Professionals Health and safety meetings  Ward, department or clinical service meetings as appropriate

PERSON SECIFICATION

Essential Desired Education & Qualifications  At least 3 years secondary schooling  Proficiency in reading, speaking and writing English  Certificate in Health & Wellbeing (Level 3) with a strand in Health Assistance or equivalent  Computer skills intermediate level plus  Able to meet the physical demands of the job Experience/Knowledge  Sound understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi  Customer service experience Experience of working in a health care setting  Previous work experience

Competency Description  Teamwork Works in collaboration with fellow team members to achieve objectives and tasks for the good of the whole. Has a positive working attitude, is flexible and adaptable. At the same time is able to take direction from those staff responsible for doing so.Communication Listens effectively and checks understanding, interprets instructions accurately. Expresses information well and comprehensively. Able to adapt communication style to suit the patients’ needs this may include patients with dementia or a hearing impairment.  Organising Organises and completes work in a timely manner, remaining flexible and taking into account the many and changing demands. Informs the Team Co-ordinator, Charge Nurse or Team Leader if unable to complete tasks required.  Self -Management Sets high standards and works to achieve goals. Manages stress and understands personal limitations. Responds positively to change. Quality Pays attention to detail, reliable and checks work to ensure the maintenance of departmental quality standards. Committed to excellence in service delivery. Involved with quality improvement activity that is led by the team they are working within.  Adaptability/Flexibility Maintains effectiveness in varying environments and with different tasks, responsibilities and people. Has the ability to modify behaviour and/or tasks to reach different goals. Can adjust priorities when required. Is able to work shift-work including weekends and nights as required. Maturity/Sensitivity Able to work well with people with serious health problems. Able to cope in stressful situations and environments. The ability to work with patients demonstrating behaviours of concern e.g. agitation. 

Cultural Awareness Actively demonstrates awareness of cultural differences. Able to respect and communicate appropriately with clients from differing cultures. Has knowledge of the Treaty of Waitangi. Organisational competencies Description Teamwork Collaborates with fellow team members and work groups to achieve objectives.  Seeks out opportunities to support others in achieving goals.  Actively contributes to and accepts consensus decisions  Recognises and respects individual differences. Bicultural Approach  Understands the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi.  Displays cultural sensitivity and a willingness to work positively with organisational strategies to improve opportunities for Maori. Self Management  Sets high personal standards and strives to achieve goals  Is proactive and displays initiative.  Is resilient to change  Understands personal and professional limitations  Can work to deadlines to achieve outcomes Patient/client/ population focused  Develops positive working relationships with patients/consumer, treating them respectfully and as a first priority.

Communication/ Interpersonal Skills  Expresses information effectively, both orally and in writing, adjusts language and style to the recipients and considers their frame of reference.  Actively listens, drawing out information and checking understanding Empathises with others and considers their needs and feelings. Professionalism  Shows courtesy, respect, caring for patients and their family in all aspects of nursing practice  Is compassionate Innovation Participates in group/unit discussions that review current practice. Flexibility  Within the scope of Enrolled Nurse practice and under the direction and delegation of the Registered Nurse/Midwife, meet the changing needs of patients. Planning and Monitoring Uses action plans to accomplish goals, establishes timeframes and realistically and appropriately allocates resources. 

Able to monitor progress and address problems to achieve outcomes

WORKING FOR ADHB – EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYEES

CITIZENSHIP

All employees are expected to contribute to the innovation and improvement of Auckland District Health Board as an organisation. This means:  Using resources responsibly  Models ADHB values in all interactions  Maintaining standards of ethical behaviour and practice  Meeting ADHB’s performance standards  Participating in organisation development and performance improvement initiatives  Helping to develop and maintain Maori capability in ADHB, including developing our understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and ways in which it applies in our work  Raising and addressing issues of concern promptly

THE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP

We have a shared responsibility for maintaining good employer/employee relationships. This means:  Acting to ensure a safe and healthy working environment at all times  Focusing our best efforts on achieving ADHB’s objectives A performance agreement will be reached between the employee and their direct manager and/or professional leader containing specific expectations.

CONSUMER/CUSTOMER/STAKEHOLDER COMMITMENT

All employees are responsible for striving to continuously improve service quality and performance. This means:  Taking the initiative to meet the needs of the consumer/customer/stakeholder  Addressing our obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi  Involving the consumer/customer/stakeholder in defining expectations around the nature of the services to be delivered and the timeframe  Keeping the consumer/stakeholder informed of progress  Following through on actions and queries  Following up with the consumer/customer/stakeholder on their satisfaction with the services

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

As the business of ADHB develops, the responsibilities and functions of positions may change. All staff are expected to contribute and adapt to change by:  Undertaking professional development  Applying skills to a number of long and short term projects across different parts of the organisation Undertaking such development opportunities as ADHB may reasonably require