Position Description: Health Care Assistant - bfound.net

HR Manual Health Care Assistant Position Description Version 1.2

Position Description: Health Care Assistant

POSITION TITLE Health Care Assistant or Practice Assistant

REPORTS TO  Nurse Manager
 Registered Nurse on duty

STAFF RESPONSIBILITY None

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS INTERNAL

 Practice Team

EXTERNAL

 External suppliers
 PHO/PHA
 Green Cross Health medical division

PURPOSE To provide high quality support services under the direction of a
health professional.

To ensure care is competent, and efficient and supports the health
care team.

In delivering such services, shall treat all people with dignity,
respect, care and compassion, recognising their individual health
beliefs, needs and values.

Key tasks and behaviours

1. Patient care support

To support the provision of  Understands the assistant role and boundaries in relation to
quality, competent, clinical other health professional scopes of practice.
care that enhances the well-
being of patients.  The care assistant does not undertake independent nursing
assessments or plan and evaluate nursing interventions.

 The care assistant gives care to patients only under the
delegation and direction of the registered nurse or doctor.

 Demonstrating accountability and responsibility when working
in the health care team.

 Demonstrating competence and application of the following
once trained as per appendix attached.

 Undertaking the preliminary aspects of health assessments
under the guidance of a registered nurse (e.g. height and
weight, ECG recording).

 Restocking nursing and clinical areas including dressing trolley,
etc.

 Tidy and empty hazardous waste bins and maintain clean

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Next review January 2018 © Green Cross Health Ltd

HR Manual Health Care Assistant Position Description Version 1.2

clinical areas as required, working in line with infection control
policy.
 Carrying out any other tasks deemed as reasonable.

To provide assistant nursing  All information entered into the PMS system is accurate,
care in accordance with appropriate and in accordance with agreed guidelines
appropriate professional and
company standards.  Set up screening and recall programmes for new patients and
others as delegated

 Having a brief understanding of: The Treaty of Waitangi; The
Privacy Code 1994

 Clearly documenting all support care provided
 Using the patient information system skilfully: registering onto

the company intranet/website - Inner Circle and being familiar
with this.
 Reading the appropriate Green Cross Health manual set.
 Following Green Cross Health clinical guidelines as appropriate
 Safe disposal and cleaning and/or sterilising of all equipment
used in patient care.
 Using Standard Precautions when dealing with body substances
 Appropriate use and disposal of sharps
 Taking responsibility for your own health and wellbeing

2. Teamwork and communication

To support and collaborate  Report patient care issues to supervising health professional.
with peers and other  Work constructively with a positive attitude in the wider multi-
providers within the wider
health care team disciplinary team within the centre
 Being an honest, open communicator who demonstrates

respect for themselves and all persons
 Being fully conversant with this job description, and being

aware of the limitations to practice regarding this.
 Providing relief cover and support for reception staff as

required.
 Effectively communicate with patients, whanau and members

of the health care team; avoiding negativity and complaining.
 Completing all orientation and induction requirements

3. Practice business processes

To utilise treatment and care  Adheres to practice guidelines and procedures

resources appropriately.  Being responsible in use of clinical supplies

 Using and checking equipment and facilities correctly,

reporting any need for maintenance, or replacement

 Reporting needs for stock reordering, and involvement in

checking orders as appropriate and ordering if required

 Generally maintaining a well-stocked and tidy working

environment:

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HR Manual Health Care Assistant Position Description Version 1.2

 Being aware of, and reporting any occupational hazards
identified

 Following company policy to report untoward
events/incidents/errors.

Ensure revenue is maximised  Revenue – ensures all patient services are recorded
and support is given for appropriately on the consultation slips, enabling them to be
compliance standards charged out in accordance with appropriate protocols.

 Demonstrate understanding and commitment to Cornerstone
and other accreditation processes (eg. ACC requirements).

 All complaints to be referred to the lead nurse in the first
instance

 Total confidentiality and privacy of patients is maintained

4. Personal Development

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:  Completing all orientation and induction requirements
 Taking up opportunities to improve your skills and knowledge.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS  Participating in annual personal performance review
DESIRABLE  Recognising limits of knowledge or expertise and referring

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES appropriately to the registered nurse on duty.
 Attending nurse team and practice team meetings

 Experience in care settings - primary health care and/or
emergency care is an advantage

 Basic life support certificate
 Current computer literacy

 Excellent interpersonal communication
 Ability to take direction and delegation
 Ability to work under pressure and in emergency situations

 NZQA level 2-4 qualification in relevant area (e.g. Certificate
in Healthcare assistance or National Certificate in Health and
Wellbeing)

 Attended Customer Services Course (e.g. Kiwihost)
 Community/Marae involvement/experience

 Enjoys working in primary health care
 Great team player
 A passion for improving and maintaining the health of all

patients
 Able to deliver culturally safe care
 A positive, willing member of the practice team
 An ability to work within appropriate boundaries
 Displays high standard of personal hygiene and presentation
 Effective hearing and eyesight
 Able to work in with family/whanau obligations

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HR Manual Health Care Assistant Position Description Version 1.2

APPENDIX 1: TASK LIST

Tasks which may be involved in this role include but is not limited to the following. Training to be
given and competence demonstrated and signed off by the Registered Nurse

General hygiene & tidying

 Stocking: Doctor’s rooms, Nurse treatment bays, dressing trolleys, blood-taking trays, IV trays,
eye trays, patient toilets (urine pottles)

 Monitoring oxygen supplies and ordering as required
 Monitoring expiry dates on products, medications
 Changing linen, and storing of clean and dirty linen
 Clinidet spray bottles – empty, rinse and refill weekly (or equivalent)
 Recording stock getting low, ordering as approved
 Changing cleaning/clinical solutions as delegated
 Keeping poster boards and pamphlet supplies current
 Ordering and unpacking laboratory supplies
 Sterilizing of medical instruments/ gauze and swab packs, autoclave

maintenance/cleaning/emptying
 Sterilization of toys

Waste management

 Emptying/replacing biohazard bags in treatment areas, dr’s rooms and patient toilets if
required

 May be asked to clean the toilet or mop up spillage (including vomit and blood) in areas of the
practice

 Replacing full sharps containers

Clinical Tasks

 Answering nurse phone calls – reallocating calls or taking messages (NOT giving advice to
patients)

 Arranging transport for patients, urgent bloods
 Preparing for surgical procedures – provide assistance to Doctor. Clean up post-procedure
 Chaperoning patients during Doctors’ examinations
 Assisting with young children where necessary
 Assisting with plastering
 Informing patients of normal results as ordered by doctor,
 Carrying out clinical audits as required by nurse team leader,
 Escorting patients to reception/ x-ray/ pharmacy etc
 Visual acuity testing
 Urine dipstick – testing
 Weighing and height measurements of patients/ BMI’s
 Entering new patient notes: classifications, screening, recalls, medications
 Assisting with patient recall systems,
 Basic cares of patients: taking observations, ice packs, cool drinks
 Defrosting specimen fridges as necessary
 Liaising with Nurse Manager re maintenance/ repair of equipment

Support of Reception/Admin

 Reception administrative tasks

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HR Manual Health Care Assistant Position Description Version 1.2

General

 Carrying out any other tasks deemed as reasonable.

This job description will be reviewed annually.
Please sign to acknowledge your acceptance of this job description:

Employee Date

Employer Date

Issued May 2015 Page 5 of 5
Next review January 2018 © Green Cross Health Ltd