POSITION DESCRIPTION

Reference Number : 421404

Recruitment Type General Recruitment
Position Number : 97079
Position Title : Assistant in Nursing
Cost Centre Code %
Cost Centre :
Grevillia Cottage 160023 100
Organisation unit : NSW Health Service - South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
Location : Waterfall
Facility : Garrawarra Centre
Advertised
Public Health System Nurses and Midwives (State) Award/Assistant in Nursing
Award/Classification
Registration/
Licence Not Applicable
Requirements :
Vaccination Category
Category A
:
Employment Screening Check
National Criminal
No
Record Check :
Working With
Children No
Background Check :
Working With Aged
Yes
Care Check :

NUM

Responsible To :
RN

NIL
Responsible For :

Assistants in nursing work within a plan of care under the supervision and
direction of the Registered Nurse and within the limits of the Assistant in Nursing
position description

Assistants in Nursing retain responsibility for their own actions and remain
Purpose Of Position :
accountable to the Registered Nurse for all allocated functions
 Assistants in Nursing practice in accordance with NSW Health guidelines, the
position description and local policy and protocol

Provision of support to the nursing team in the delivery of nursing care in a

Dementia Specific Residential Aged Care Facility
Provide direct care activities to residents in accordance with the nursing care
plan and under the supervision of a Registered Nurse
Assist Registered and Enrolled Nurses with care interventions as directed
Contribute to collecting accurate health care information and maintaining
accurate health care documentation as required
Communicate effectively with residents and other health care team members in
accordance with appropriate protocol
Assist in the delivery of the following direct care activities as allocated by a
Registered Nurse;

showering, bathing, sponging

repositioning, pressure area and skin care
hair washing, shaving
mouth and denture care
eye and ear care
assistance with toileting
provision, removal and cleaning of bedpans and urinals
general ambulation and support mobilisation as per plan of care
reinforce instructions on use of aids for mobility or care as detailed in plan

of care, where appropriate

assist with positioning, posture maintenance and comfort

observe and report resident completion of and performance of tasks in line

with care plan

set up and assistance with resident meals and fluids for assessed low

risk residents

application of anti-thromboembolic stockings

simple wound dressings
last offices/care of the deceased
Assist in the collection of clinical data as allocated by a Registered Nurse;
resident weighing and specific measurements
specific resident observations
nursing admission (not nursing history or assessment)
Observe residents physical and psychological status and responses during
the course of

interactions within scope of knowledge, and report changes to the Registered Nurse

Report all resident observations to the appropriate Registered Nurse

Document all resident responses to direct care/assistance given, include in

progress notes

and clinical records in accordance with the plan of care and organisational protocols

Maintain the appearance and function of equipment such as lifting and

mobilising aids,

pressure reducing mattresses and other clinical devices used in nursing interventions
 Change and make up occupied and unoccupied beds

Promote and maintain a clean, comfortable and safe environment for residents,
staff and

visitors

EXPECTED ALL STAFF LINE MANAGERS SENIOR MANAGERS

STANDARDS AND SUPERVISORS

PATIENT Actively participate in Identify, develop, lead Provide governance

SAFETY, RISK patient safety and and monitor patient and strategic direction
MANAGEMENT ongoing quality safety, risk for the development,
AND QUALITY improvement management and implementation and
IMPROVEMENT programs and quality improvement evaluation of patient
practices that promote programs to improve safety and quality
the best possible the operation and improvement
health outcomes for promote the best programs that
patients/clients. possible health promote the best
Key Accountabilities : outcomes for possible experience
patients/clients. and health outcomes
Ensure that National for patients/clients.
Safety and Quality Ensure that National
Health Service Safety and Quality
Standards are met. Health Service
Standards are met.

NSW HEALTH Act as an appropriate Assist workers to Uphold the highest

CORE VALUES and effective role
model and promote a
culture and supporting
practices that reflect
the NSW Health core
values of
Collaboration,
Openness, Respect,
and Empowerment,
through demonstrated
behaviours and
interactions with
patients, clients and
employees.
identify and model standards of
specific behaviours professionalism at all
and actions that times by performing
reflect the NSW the functions of the
Health core values of role efficiently,
Collaboration, economically, fairly,
Openness, Respect, impartially and with
and Empowerment, integrity and by
in the workplace. actively advocating
the NSW Health core
values of
Collaboration,
Openness, Respect,
and Empowerment,
to ensure that Local
Health District and
Government
expectations are met.

NSW HEALTH Read and Ensure workers are Model and encourage
CODE OF acknowledge provided with a copy behavioural
CONDUCT individual of the Code of expectations as
responsibilities as Conduct upon outlined in the Code
determined in the appointment or of Conduct.
Code of Conduct. reappointment.
Acknowledge the Code Provide advice to each
of Conduct as a worker to ensure they
framework for understand their
professional responsibilities under
behaviour, ethical the Code of Conduct.
practice and decision- Maintain a record of
making. when this occurred.

Acknowledge and
accept a shared
responsibility for
ensuring that their
own behaviour and
the behaviour of
colleagues meets the
standards outlined in
 the Code of Conduct.
Report and express
any workplace
concerns fairly,
honestly and
respectfully.

HEALTH AND Comply with SESLHD Implement all Apply due diligence to
SAFETY WHS and IM processes elements of the known and emergent
and any measures put SESLHD health and WHS risks.
in place to protect safety management
their health and safety system. Actively engage in
at work. service WHS planning
Monitor and evaluate and reporting.
Contribute to and the departments
participate in WHS WHS and Injury Set WHS and IM
consultation and Management (IM) performance targets
training initiatives. performance. for the Service.

Contribute to Actively develop Monitor and measure

workplace safety workers WHS individual
planning, including the performance. departments WHS
review and continual performance against
improvement Report progress targets.
processes at a local toward and barriers to
level via the WHS the achievement of
consultation Service WHS and IM
arrangements. targets to senior
management.

REGISTRATION Maintain registration and licences required for position held.

AND LICENCES

All staff are expected to take reasonable care that their actions do not adversely affect
the health and safety of others, that they comply with any reasonable instruction that is
given them and with any reasonable policies/procedures relating to health or safety in
the workplace, as well as notifying any hazards/risks or incidents to their managers.

Ability to effectively manage time with conflicting work demands

Challenges/Problem
Solving :

The incumbent of this position will:

- Effectively communicate with residents, other members of the health care team
and members of the public in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

Communication :
- Protect the rights and privacy of the resident by exercising advocacy and
discretion in communications.

The incumbent of this position will make decisions only after consultation with the
Registered Nurse.

Decision Making :

The incumbent of this position is expected to make decisions on prioritising work

 demands. However, at times instructions given by members of nursing staff, which
may be urgent in nature may require to be a priority.

Selection Criteria
Certificate III in Aged Care or Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged Care) or
equivalent.
Selection Criteria : Recent experience in the care and management of people with dementia with
behavioural and psychological symptoms.
Good written and verbal communications skills.
Proven ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

NIL
Staffing :

NIL
Budget :

NIL
Financial Delegation:

JOB DEMANDS CHECKLIST

Physical Demands
Frequency
Sitting - remaining in a seated position to perform tasks Frequent
Standing - remaining standing without moving about to perform tasks Frequent
Walking - Floor type: even / uneven / slippery, indoors / outdoors, slopes Frequent
Running - Floor type: even / uneven / slippery, indoors / outdoors, slopes Infrequent
Bend/Lean Forward from Waist - Forward bending from the waist to perform tasks Frequent
Trunk Twisting - Turning from the waist while sitting or standing to perform tasks Infrequent
Kneeling - remaining in a kneeling posture to perform tasks Infrequent
Squatting / Crouching - Adopting a squatting or crouching posture to perform tasks Infrequent
Leg / Foot Movement - Use of leg and / or foot to operate machinery Frequent
Climbing (stairs/ladders) - Ascend / descend stairs, ladders, steps Not Applicable
Lifting / Carrying - Light lifting & carrying: 0 - 9 kg Frequent
Lifting / Carrying - Moderate lifting & carrying: 10 - 15 kg Infrequent
Lifting / Carrying - Heavy lifting & carrying: 16kg & above Not Applicable
Reaching - Arms fully extended forward or raised above shoulder Frequent
Pushing / Pulling / Restraining - Using force to hold / restrain or move objects toward
Frequent
or away from the body
Head / Neck Postures - Holding head in a position other than neutral (facing forward) Frequent
Hand & Arm Movements - Repetitive movements of hands and arms Frequent
Grasping / Fine Manipulation - Gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands Frequent
Work At Heights - Using ladders, footstools, scaffolding, or other objects to perform work Not Applicable
Driving - Operating any motor powered vehicle Not Applicable
Sensory Demands
Frequency
Sight - Use of sight is an integral part of work performance e.g. Viewing of X-Rays,
Constant
computer screens
Hearing - Use of hearing is an integral part of work performance e.g. Telephone enquiries Constant
Smell - Use of smell is an integral part of work performance e.g. Working with chemicals Infrequent
Taste - Use of taste is an integral part of work performance e.g. Food preparation Not Applicable
Touch - Use of touch is an integral part of work performance Frequent
Psychosocial Demands
Frequency
Distressed People - e.g. Emergency or grief situations Frequent
Aggressive & Uncooperative People - e.g. drug / alcohol, dementia, mental illness Frequent
Unpredictable People - e.g. Dementia, mental illness, head injuries Frequent
Restraining - involvement in physical containment of patients / clients Infrequent
Exposure to Distressing Situations - e.g. Child abuse, viewing dead / mutilated bodies Frequent
Environmental Demands
Frequency
Dust - Exposure to atmospheric dust Not Applicable
Gases - Working with explosive or flammable gases requiring precautionary measures Infrequent
Fumes - Exposure to noxious or toxic fumes Not Applicable
Liquids - Working with corrosive, toxic or poisonous liquids or chemicals requiring PPE Infrequent
Hazardous substances - e.g. Dry chemicals, glues Not Applicable
Noise - Environmental / background noise necessitates people raise their voice to be heard Infrequent
Inadequate Lighting - Risk of trips, falls or eyestrain Infrequent
Sunlight - Risk of sunburn exists from spending more than 10 minutes per day in sunlight Infrequent
Extreme Temperatures - Environmental temperatures are less than 15C or more than
Not Applicable
35C
Confined Spaces - areas where only one egress (escape route) exists Not Applicable
Slippery or Uneven Surfaces - Greasy or wet floor surfaces, ramps, uneven ground Infrequent
Inadequate Housekeeping - Obstructions to walkways and work areas cause trips and
Infrequent
falls
Working At Heights - Ladders / stepladders / scaffolding are required to perform tasks Not Applicable
Biological Hazards - e.g. exposure to body fluids, bacteria, infectious diseases Frequent

As the incumbent of this position, I confirm I have read the Position Description and Job Demands
Checklist, understand its content and agree to work in accordance with the requirements of the position.

Employee Name: _______________________________

Employee Signature _______________________________ Date: ________________

Manager's Name: _______________________________

Manager's Signature _______________________________ Date: ________________