Position overview

The Wardsperson position is to support the clinical staff and provide assistance with patient care. The Canberra Hospital is a 24-hour service that operates daily including weekends and Public Holidays. These positions are to assist with patient manual handling and transport throughout the hospital campus, and to assist in code response.

Key Responsibilities

Under limited direction of the Operations Manager Patient Support Services, you will perform tasks that will ensure the patient journey is without undue stress and will achieve this by assisting the clinical teams with manual handling, patient transport and emergency response, movement of medical equipment, after hours courier duties, male pre-operative shaves and Mortuary duties.

The Wardsperson team as part of the patient journey will ensure the correct patient is collected for transported while following the transport procedures, privacy and confidentiality and Patient safety. Wardsperson team aims to be helpful by assisting however we can while staying within our scope of practice.

You will:

1. Answer and attend to all pagers. Top priority given to:

   Code Blue         Medical Emergency

   Code Black       Personal Threat

   Code T              Trauma

   Code H             Helicopter

   Code Red         Fire

   Code Yellow     Internal Disaster

   Code Brown      External Disaster

   Code Orange    Evacuation

   Code Yellow     Internal Disaster

2. Assist in the safe manual or mechanical lifting and movement of patients, including the safe transport of patients throughout the hospital campus, and safe infection control.
3. Assist nursing staff with pre-operative male shaves.
4. Convey medical equipment as directed in all areas of the hospital and perform after hours courier duties as specified.
5. Assist with mortuary duties such as the releasing, identification, viewing and placement of deceased persons.
6. Participate in department quality improvement programs and training as required.
7. Assist with the orientation and training of new recruits throughout all areas of the Hospital excluding operating theatres.
8. Undertaking other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the section. Undertaking other duties as directed, within the approved scope of clinical practice.

Competencies

Specific competencies include but are not limited to the following.

• Good communication skills: To ensure effective teamwork and that all Hospital Assistants comply with policies and procedures that are relevant to their work performance.
• Teamwork: An understanding of the importance of teamwork and the ability to work collaboratively to create a positive culture and deliver a quality service.
• Adaptability and flexibility: To accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs.

Qualifications

Specific qualifications include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• N/A

Desirable

• Understanding of Infection Prevention and Control Processes within a healthcare facility.
• Knowledge of Wardsperson duties and understanding of the Patient Support Services commitment to client services and outcomes.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, and all other related frameworks.

Experience

Specific experience includes but is not limited to the following.

Essential

• N/A

Desirable

• Ability to work Monday to Friday or shift work at 76 hours a fortnight as required within all areas of the Hospital.
• Hold a current driver’s licence.
• The successful applicant may need to be available for occasional weekend and after-hours work.

Prior to commencement

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:

• Undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.
• Prior to commencing this role, a current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
• Comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.

1. The ability to clearly define the Wardsperson role and duties.
2. The proven ability to use the principles of client service, with an ability to consistently apply these principles to a hospital setting.
3. A demonstrated understanding of good communication skills and the proven ability to apply these skills to a hospital setting and team environment.
4. Demonstrated knowledge and ability to transfer patients within the Canberra Hospital in a safe and efficient manner.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.