Download Patient hygiene, comfort, handling and assistance

JOB DESCRIPTION
Health Care Assistant
Kaitaia Hospital - Renal Unit
Position Title:
Health Care Assistant
Organisation Unit:
Kaitaia Hospital
Location:
Kaitaia Hospital, Renal Unit, Northland District Health Board
Responsible to:
Nurse Manager – Renal
Clinical Nurse Manager – Renal Kaitaia
Primary Functions of
the Position:
To assist nursing staff and other health professionals to provide
administrative and hotel functions within their department
Functional Relationships
The Health Care Assistant will develop and maintain excellent relationships with:
Internal
External
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Administrative staff.
Operations Manager Kaitaia Hospital
Clinical Team Leader / Manager
Duty Co-ordinator
All Patients, relatives and other
caregivers.
Hospital Medical staff and GPs.
other members of the health team within
the Kaitaia Hospital and Northland
Health.
All other health providers in Northland.
Dialysis supplier
Dialysis freight supplier
Dialysis transport provider
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
Respect
Whakaute (tuku mana)
Caring
Manaaki
Communication
Whakawhitiwhiti korero
Excellence
Taumata teitei (hirangi)
People are central to all we do
We treat others as we would like to be treated
We nurture those around us, and treat all with dignity and
compassion
We communicate safely, openly and with respect to promote clear
understanding
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:
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Customer Focus
Communication & Teamwork
Personal Development
Quality Improvement
Relationship Building
Treaty of Waitangi
Health and Safety
The outcome requirements of the above key responsibility areas are outlined below:
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
To provide a
receptionist function for
clients, staff and other
personnel in the
department
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Admit and discharge all patients as per admission process /
Trendcare requirements
Perform admission and discharge audits on request from
CNM.
Complete all RUS data entry on a daily basis
Assemble, dissemble patient files
File all lab, radiology results and correspondence into
patients file
Photocopying /faxing documents as required.
Assist staff with document development
Answer phone calls from wards and administration.
Locate staff required.
Take written messages for unavailable staff. Refer to staff
concerned when available
Perform regular audits of equipment following completion of
a training period including blood sugar meters and fridges,
Other clerical duties as specified by the CNM
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
Patient hygiene,
comfort, handling and
assistance
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Housekeeping of any
patient or non-patient
item and area
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Assist staff with safe patient transfer, lifting, repositioning
from wheelchair / chair / bed / hoist
Assist staff to weigh patients before and after dialysis
Assist staff to take blood pressures before and after
treatment
Assisting patient movement to and from toilets and to and
from the front entrance as requested by RN.
Assist nurses with personal hygiene cares as required
Identify location of emergency equipment and role in an
emergency
Provision of tea, coffee and beverages or other food items to
the patient as required on direction from RN
Ensure patient areas are kept free of potential hazards
Maintain patient privacy
Transporting patients between departments
Transporting of ward / unit based equipment including
Oxygen cylinders/PCA/IV pumps to/from wards/unit as
required when portering assistance not available
Transport of blood tests / forms to the laboratory
Set up each dialysis station, chair or bed with clean linen
each shift.
Strip linen from chair and bed following patient use each
shift
Strip the bloodlines from the dialysis machines following
patient use and dispose of them using the correct process.
Assist nursing staff with cleaning all dialysis chairs, beds
and dialysis machines following patient use each shift as per
protocol.
Assist nursing staff / patients with lining the dialysis
machines following a competency assessment
Relocate dialysis machines under direction from a RN
Removal of used disposal medical equipment e.g. oxygen
tubing, suction jar liners, specimen pots
Routine cleaning of all equipment including IV poles,
wheelchairs and trolleys and benches
Perform routine assessment of dialysis drains to prevent
blockages.
Unsafe or faulty equipment is to be reported to the nurse in
charge
Keep areas assigned for the storage of stock and equipment
tidy
Ensure that the waiting room is kept clean and tidy
Dispose of dirty linen promptly from various collection points
around the units into the sluice room.
Maintenance and cleaning of sluice room and treatment
areas
Check and replace disposal sharps containers are required
Check oxygen & Suction units are in working order and
restocked
Ensure linen trolleys are kept tidy & restocked
Tidy linen cupboard
Ensure procedure room is adequately restocked
Following infection control principles and procedures
Any other duties as requested by CNM.
Key Responsibility Area
Dialysis supply & other
supplies management
Quality Assurance
Treaty of Waitangi
Expected Outcomes
 Set up dialysis packs daily
 Co-ordinate the delivery of the weekly dialysis supplies into
the unit from the drop off area
 Audit incoming dialysis supplies against delivery notice
 Advise CNM of any shortfall in order and of supply issues
 Manage and rotate all incoming dialysis supplies
 Complete dialysis supplies audits as requested
 Order and maintain adequate impress levels of general
supplies
 Actively participate in the philosophy of improvement in
providing a quality health service.
 Communicate with dialysis provider as directed by CNM.
 To be part of the quality initiatives of the hospital and
department.
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Attend and contribute to team meetings i.e. clinical
debriefing sessions, inservice education, quality
improvement, occupational health and safety etc as
requested by CNM.
 To maintain good relationships with all clients and staff.
 Abide by the Northland DHB and Kaitaia Hospital policies
and procedures.
 Maintain confidentiality of patients as per NDHB policy
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Health & Safety
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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
Observe and promote safe work practices, rules and
instructions relating to work, and be pro-active in hazard
management
Be conversant with and participate in fire/evacuation
procedures as per NDHB policy
Maintain systems for investigating and initiating corrective
action in relation to accidents, incidents, complaints from
patients, families, public and/or health members
Use effective risk management strategies to minimize risk to
self, patients and colleagues and the public
Receive training in manual handling techniques (patient and
other) and attend annual OSH updates. Achieve relevant
certification
Willingly co-operate 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 may be amended from time to time, in consultation with
the employee, to meet any changing conditions and service requirements.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
 Computer literacy - Word processing
skills
 Galen / Alpha skills
 Current drivers license
 Current first aid certificate
Desirable
 Previous clerical / administration
/reception skills
Experience
Essential
 Experience in medical setting
Awareness and Understanding of
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Essential
 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)
Desirable
 2 years experience in
health related field
 Recognized course
in care giving
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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,
 team work,
 observation skills,
 effective time managements,
 flexibility,
 ability to prioritise.
Personal Attributes
 Good interpersonal skills.
 Ability to work in a team
 Non judgmental
 High level of personal fitness
 Cultural awareness
 Ability to take direction and follow instructions
 Good listener
 Empathetic to others
 Professional approach to position
 Commitment to customer service
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:
Signature:
Date:
Acceptance
Acceptance of the position implies acceptance of this position description.
Position Title:
Signature of employee:
Date: