POSITION DESCRIPTION
Community Support Worker
ORGANISATION VISION: People with disability living life to the fullest
ORGANISATION VALUES: Kindness, Integrity, Self-Responsibility, Security, Professionalism
Philosophies: Our philosophy of practice stems from three key areas:
 Strength-based
 Person-centered
 Social Role Valorisation
We are committed to believing in the best of people and focussing on developing their skills and abilities.
We believe that all people have a valuable role to play in their community and we believe that when people
are placed at the heart of everything we do, we can only get it right.
REPORTS TO:
Team Lead with input and direction from the Support Lead.
FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
People using services, their Families, Whanau & Advocates
Hamilton Residential Trust Management Team
Team Members of Hamilton Residential Trust
Other Allied and Health Agencies who provide services to people using HRT
services
HOURS PER WEEK:
As per roster hours
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION:
1. The primary task of the Community Support Worker, is to provide a quality person centred support and
promotion of the welfare of all people with an intellectual disability who receive services from
Hamilton Residential Trust. This is to be done in a manner that is consistent with the Ministry of Health
Service Specification/s and Hamilton Residential Trust Policies and Procedures.
2.
To enhance people using services of Hamilton Residential Trust to effectively participate in all aspects
of living in the community by providing an inspiring environment.
3.
To enable residents of Hamilton Residential Trust maximise their opportunities for learning, growing
and making informed choices.
4.
Liaise with people using services, families and agencies to maximise the holistic (physical, psychological,
environment and family/whanau) wellbeing of people using services.
5.
To maintain appropriate quality systems and processes and be committed to continuous quality
improvements.
6.
Responsible for the on going day to day tasks as set out by the Team Lead in providing support,
coaching and assistance to people with an intellectual disability as set out in position description.
7.
Participate as a full member of the team and attending all required meetings.
8.
Advance the interests of Hamilton Residential Trust within the community when networking or liaising
with all other external agencies showing confidence in the organisation.
9.
To build positive relationships with families / next of kin by providing good communication, support
and information.
Delegations:
The position has interaction with all parts of the organisation and follows up on deliverables, receiving
inputs from the Team Lead & Support Lead.
Financial:
Nil
Staff:
Nil
Community Support Worker – Position Description
Approved: S Molenaar
Last updated: August 2012
Page 1 of 6
Nature and Scope of Key Responsibilities
Accountabilities
Resident’s Health & Wellbeing
Performance Measure
To develop meaningful and achievable
resident outcomes
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Maintains accurate and up-to-date records
and documentation
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Service delivery is person centred.
Lifestyle Plans are developed in consultation with people
using services and families where appropriate.
Outcomes are documented and up to date.
People using services are supported to learn, work, and
participate fully in the communities of their choice.
People using services and staff are linked with community
networks and resources that enhance knowledge, support
and opportunity.
Supports resident self advocacy.
Understands and utilises all relevant legislation including but
not limited to Privacy Act, Health Information Privacy Code,
Health and Disability Code of Rights and the Human Rights
Act, Hamilton Residential Trust’s Code of Rights for clients –
and know where to locate these.
Ensures all documentation is concise, professional and
current as per HRT policies and relevant standards and
legislation.
Makes all required information available to Users/whanau
and third parties as per legislation and policies, stores people
using services information securely and disposes of this
information in a manner that meets organisational and
legislative standards.
Completes required reporting to meet organisational &
contractual requirements.
Clear concise accurate, objective updates in each client’s
personal records and house diary each shift.
Resident health summaries
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Completes monthly health summaries to a high standard.
Reports and discusses any significant issues immediately to
Team Lead.
Annual wellness checks
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Participates in completion of annual wellness checks around
resident birthdays.
Resident spending
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Fosters resident ownership over their own spending.
Ensures appropriate documentation is completed and signed
off by appropriate person.
People using services are supported to keep
their environment clean and healthy
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Environments are clean both inside and outside.
People using services are supported to keep their
environments clean and healthy.
Reporting occurs as per organisational
process
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Understands reporting processes.
Writes reports in appropriate manner with good command of
English language.
Submits reports within agreed timeframe.
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Community Support Worker – Position Description
Approved: S Molenaar
Last updated: August 2012
Page 2 of 6
Other Organisational Responsibilities
Accountabilities
Quality Assurance & Risk Minimisation
Performance Measure
To maintain Continuous Quality Improvement
within HRT services in accordance with the
organisation’s Quality & Risk Management
Framework
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Support the implementation of a Continuous Quality
Improvement & Risk Management programme within HRT in
accordance with the organisation’s Quality Framework, by:
o Identifying improvement opportunities.
o Fostering healthy relationships with users of services,
sponsors and key stakeholders.
o Undertaking any training requested that supports the
organisation’s quality goals.
o Participates in the delivery of the quality plan.
o Ensures following correct feedback processes.
o Monitors the effectiveness of risk management
strategies and regularly reviews and reports current
risks to ensure they remain at acceptable levels.
o Provides timely notification to the Team Lead of new
risks and serious events as they arise.
o Participates in internal and external audits as required.
o Completes appropriate section of incident reports and
forwards to Team Lead.
To provide and understand the relevant
information for statistical analysis.
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Provides information as and when required.
Understands statistical trends, discusses with team and
actions any agreed outcomes.
Promotions, Networking & Community Partnerships
Accountabilities
Performance Measure
To positively promote HRT services to
statutory, community and Iwi organisations
Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi)
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Maintains knowledge of local community health / social
service movements.
 Promotes / represents HRT at relevant forums, community
network meetings, hui and fono.
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 Implements the organisation’s Maori Health Plan to reduce
barriers for Maori accessing and participating in the service.
 Supports Maori participation in advisory network.
To actively promote resident participation
 Maintains knowledge of the values and standards of resident
participation as in accordance to the Health & Disability Sector
Standards.
 Ensures there is resident participation in advisory network.
To foster community inclusion,
connectedness and partnerships that benefit
people using HRT services
 Is available for consultation with community members and key
stakeholders as required.
 Identifies key local services that align well with HRT and builds
appropriate relationships with them.
Community Support Worker – Position Description
Approved: S Molenaar
Last updated: August 2012
Page 3 of 6
Health and Safety
Accountabilities
Performance Measure
Civil Defence and First Aid
 Understands and use organisational process.
Staff Awareness
 Demonstrates an understanding of Health and Safety policies
and procedures and knows who the organisation’s Health and
Safety representative is.
To participate in and comply with the
requirements of the Health & Safety
Employment Act 1992 and associated HRT
policies
 Engages in work practices that ensure safety for self and
others
 Complies with HRT incident reporting policy.
 Completes emergency management procedures and
compulsory / compliance education and training.
 Recognises the significance of unexpected events.
 Coaches people using services around risk identification and
health and safety procedures.
 Adhere to Infection Control Programme, according to HRT
Policies and Procedures.
Emergency Management Plan
 Is oriented to the organisational plan and is aware of their
roles and responsibilities.
Ensures safety and compliance with
medication, following Hamilton Residential
Trust Policy and Procedures
 Understands expected effects and possible side effects of
medications.
 Administers medication (including PRN) according to protocol
and can correctly identify the 5 R’s of medication
administration.
 Recognises when a person is having an adverse drug reaction
and seeks immediate assistance.
 Records and reports medication administration.
 Is aware of specific Hamilton Residential Trust Policies
handling of the administration of medications.
 Documentation of any medication error with Incident
Reporting being accurate, legible and timely.
Accountabilities
Personal and Professional Development
Performance Measure
Takes charge of personal and professional /
work education and development in
consultation with Team Lead
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Effectively champions their delegated
portfolio
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Community Support Worker – Position Description
Approved: S Molenaar
Engages with regular internal peer supervision process.
Provides support to staff buddy.
Maintains and/or extends personal knowledge and skill base
required for effective performance.
o Identifies any training needs.
o Keeps self up to date with Sector developments
Participates in personal performance review annually
including:
o Self reflection
o Training and development plans
o Formal review process
o Staff workplace satisfaction yearly review.
Completes Careerforce training modules and is committed to
reaching the minimum Level 3 certification.
Seeks advice and input from appropriate people.
Provides an update on progress as part of monthly reporting.
Last updated: August 2012
Page 4 of 6
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Perform such other duties as reasonably
required by the Leadership team in
accordance with the conditions of the
position
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Champions with passion and ensures HRT values sit at the
heart of their practice.
Performs all other additional duties in an efficient manner.
Team Membership
Accountabilities
Performance Measure
Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO)
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Demonstrates behaviour that recognises and is consistent
with EEO principles and practices.
Individual responsibilities, actions and
contributions enhance the success of the
team and organisation
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Maintains a current knowledge of relevant issues, trends and
practices.
Demonstrates cultural appropriate behaviour.
Builds and maintains productive working relationships.
Participates as a member of designated group(s).
Participates in team meetings.
Liaises with other functional roles to understand needs of the
organisation and role.
Values individual effort, innovation and creativity.
Actively contributes to the well being of the team and
organisation.
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Human Resources Policies and Procedures
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Is aware of Human Resources policies and procedures and
uses manual as a tool to ensure work best practise standards.
Accountability
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Actively fosters their own self management and seeks advice
and guidance as required.
Displays good team flexibility that supports fellow peers.
Carries own weight to ensure good team cohesiveness.
Is a supportive colleague.
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Community Support Worker – Position Description
Approved: S Molenaar
Last updated: August 2012
Page 5 of 6
Person Specifications:
Credentials/Qualifications/Training:
Has commenced the Human Service Certificate and is committed to completing up to and inclusive of Level
3. Has sector knowledge and sector working experience.
Outlined below are competencies expected of the person fulfilling the role:
Essential:
 Understanding of strength based approaches, values based philosophies and person centred practice
 Proven ability building successful relationships at varying levels within the health and social service
sectors and ability to interact well with people from all walks of life and to understand community
requirements
 Experience of using client management system
 Competent user of IT
 Has current First Aid Certificate
Experience Desirable:
 Excellent verbal and written communication skills
 Attention to detail and quality assurance processes
 Ability to work as a member of a team and autonomously
 Ability to seek relevant information including through the medium of internet
 Ability to react quickly and adapt to situations as they arise, and to show initiative
 Ability to prioritise workload effectively and work under pressure and to deadlines
 Ability to analyse varied information from multiple and diverse sources and to make sound decisions.
 Ability to champion all areas of responsibility.
Competencies (Knowledge, Skills & Attributes):
 Communication skills.
 Negotiation skills.
 Analytical thinking.
 Basic understanding of IT and using electronic systems.
 Innovative and creative.
 Flexible and adaptable.
 High degree of integrity.
 Commitment to providing a quality values based and person centred service.
Physical Requirements / Work Functions:
The following denote the key physical requirements for the job:
 Standing
 Walking
 Sitting
 Driving
 Simple Grasping (handling, seizing, holding, grasping)
 Fine Manipulation (e.g. keyboarding, cutting, using fingers)
A full NZ driver’s licence is required for the position.
Community Support Worker – Position Description
Approved: S Molenaar
Last updated: August 2012
Page 6 of 6