JOB DESCRIPTION
Health Care Assistant
Surgical Ward
Position Title:
Health Care Assistant
Organisation Unit:
Surgical Wards
Location:
Wards 3 & 4, Whangarei Hospital
Responsible to:
Clinical Nurse Manager, Surgical Ward
Primary Functions of
the Position:
To assist nursing staff in the provision of nursing care, which is
safe, appropriate and of the highest quality possible to the
patients in the surgical ward under the direction and supervision
of a Registered Nurse.
Functional Relationships
The Health Care Assistant will develop and maintain excellent relationships with:
Internal
External








Other Clinical Nurse Managers and
Leaders
All nursing staff
Patients / Families / Whanau
Clinical Educator Nurse
Allied Health professionals
Duty Managers
Bureau Coordinator
Members of the public
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:
Position within the Organisation:
While the Health care Assistant works under the direction and supervision of a Registered
Nurse, for the purposes of performance management and appraisals they are accountable to
the Nurse Manager.
Key Responsibilities
 To assist and participate in providing a high standard of care, under the direction and
supervision of a Registered nurse.
 To provide support to clinical / administrative team
 Ensure effective communication with patients, their family/whanau, the multidisciplinary team, other colleagues and relevant others.
 Adhere to Northland DHB, Medical Service and Unit policies.
 Treaty of Waitangi
 Health and Safety
The outcome requirements of the above key responsibility areas are outlined below:
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
To assist and participate in
providing a high standard of
care, under the direction and
supervision of a Registered
nurse.
 Assist by providing hygiene, toileting, dressing,
eating/drinking and mobilisation and other tasks as
identified by the individual patient care plan
 Answering patient call bells
 Identifying location of emergency equipment and
their role in an emergency
 Recognising limitations of scope of position and
experience, seeking assistance when necessary
 Maintaining universal precautions as per NDHB
infection control policy
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
To provide support to
clinical/administrative team
 Checking and restocking supplies in ward
 Taking accurate messages and reporting these to
appropriate people
 Assembling patient notes and filing as directed
 Reception / greeting function
 Maintenance and cleaning of sluice room and
treatment areas
 Assisting with bed making, assembling patient bed
spaces for admission and discharge
 Assembling and dismantling procedure trolleys and
cleaning and maintenance of equipment
 Assisting with meals and drinks service under the
direction/supervision of RN
 Assist patients in completing menus
 Ensure up to date diet codes are entered into patient
management system on the computer
Ensure effective
communication with patients,
their family/whanau, the multidisciplinary team, other
colleagues and relevant others.








Adhere to Northland DHB,
Medical Service and Unit
policies




Treaty of Waitangi




Use communication skills to establish and maintain
effective relationships
Assist to create an environment that is therapeutic.
Conduct self in responsible and professional
manner.
Liaise with registered nurse on regular basis through
the course of a duty.
Implement organisational vision and values
Respect individual patients beliefs/values
Provide care that is sensitive to individuals cultural
needs.
Actively participate as part of the multi-disciplinary
team
Adhere to NDHB policies and procedures
Work within Northland DHB & Nursing Council of
New Zealand’s code of conduct
Maintain confidentiality of patients as per Northland
Health policy.
Be aware of and committed to ensuring patient
rights are protected.
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
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
Health & Safety




Ensure compliance with designated responsibilities
detailed in Northland District Health Board’s Health
and Safety Policy
Promote an environment of physical, occupational,
cultural, ethical and legal safety
Observe safe work practices, rules and instructions
relating to work, and be pro-active in hazard
management
Willingly cooperate 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 can be amended from time to time either by additional,
deletion or straight amendment by the Clinical Nurse Manager to meet any changing
conditions.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
 Literacy Skills
Desirable
 Recognised course in Care Giving / HCA
 Computer skills
Experience
Essential
 Previous experience in a people related
work environment working with ‘people’
Desirable
 Previous health sector experience
Awareness and Understanding of
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
 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
 Ability to work within a Team environment
 Observation skills
 Effective time management
 Ability to prioritise
 Ability to work under direction and follow instructions
Personal Attributes
 Non judgmental caring positive approach
 Empathetic to others
 Professional approach to position
 Commitment to customer focused care
 Ability to adapt and be flexible within the ward environment
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:
Clinical Nurse Manager
Signature:
Date:
Acceptance
Acceptance of the position implies acceptance of this position description.
Position Title:
Signature of employee:
Date: