Nursing Assistant

Job Description

Basic Purpose of the role

Work within a patient care team supporting Registered Nurses and Allied Health staff in the delivery of patient care.  Perform  supervised  patient care activities according to policies and procedures of the hospital. 

Key responsibilities of the role

Maintains an effective rapport with patients, visitors, physicians, and other members of the hospital team.

Promotes confidentiality and uses complete discretion when discussing information.

Works collaboratively with other staff members to provide continuous service to the organisation.

Ability to express self in the areas of communication verbal, written and non-verbal.

Demonstrates knowledge of current computer system used in the organisation.

Demonstrates adherence to safety and risk management policies as evidenced by in-service attendance records and employee practices.

Ensures the reporting of all adverse events, incidents and near misses.

Contributes to investigations of complaints and incidents when requested by senior staff.

Assists patients, under supervision by providing assistance with bathing, dressing and grooming.

Assists the patients, under supervision with feeding when required.

Completes documentation as requested by the nursing staff.

Assists nurses in manual handling of patients.

Supports the nursing staff by running errands where appropriate.

Responsible for ensuring rooms are stocked with appropriate supplies

Communicates appropriately and clearly to coworkers and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
 

Other responsibilities

Maintains a safe environment at all times
Actively participates in organizational change in a constructive manner.

Actively participates in the process for ensuring the organisation achieve and maintain JCIA and other accreditation.

Engages in health promotion activities in the organisation and community.

Actively participates in the Clinical Competency Programme.

Attends meetings pertinent to department.

Maintains a professional demeanor and is culturally sensitive.
 

Compliance guidelines

Follows hospital policies and procedures.

Maintains confidentiality regarding patient/staff information.
Promotes positive public relations with patients, peers, medical staff and members of the general public.

Adheres to requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines and Infection Control Guidelines.

Understands and adheres to emergency preparedness plans/policies.

Maintains compliance in relation to the Occupational Health and Safety standards.

The position does have exposure to malodorous, infectious body fluids from patients and some minimal exposure to noxious smells from cleansing agents.

The position requires exposure to infectious wastes such as blood and body fluids that mandate the wearing of gloves, masks and goggles for every actual or potential exposure.

Facilitates effective communication between the patient, family and the interdisciplinary health care team as required.

Demonstrates improvement in clinical practice as a result of application of new theoretical knowledge and technology.

Actively participates in the annual system of performance review
 

Qualifications, Certifications and Experience

High Scool Diploma
Healthcare qualification / training is an advantage

Experience within a healthcare setting – inpatient services

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Organized and able to work methodically.
Able to relate to people from different cultural backgrounds.
Fluent in both written and spoken English.

Physical requirements

The position requires a considerable amount of physical work. The individual must be able to quickly manoeuvre throughout halls, stairways and patient rooms in response to hospital emergencies. The following denote the key physical requirements for the job which may require: Standing, Simple Grasping, Fine Manipulation, Operation Machinery / Equipment, Lifting / overhead reaching, Twisting, Climbing / Balancing, Crouching / Squatting, Reaching and Manual handling of people of approximately 100kg. Lifting equipment must be used whenever practicable.

In addition the position requires office work involving extensive use of the computer and interdepartmental coordination. Typical physical demands include: a high degree of manual dexterity to sufficiently perform computer functions on a keyboard, produce materials on a PC and operate basic office equipment, normal or corrected vision and hearing, extensive sitting and walking, mobility sufficient to visit with departments or employees throughout the facility and lift up to 13 kgs.