Position Overview

The Ward Support Officers reports directly to the Ward Services Manager. The WSO position provides support to the clinical staff and provide assistance with patient care. The North Canberra Hospital is a 24-hour service that operates daily including weekends and Public Holidays. These positions are to assist with patient manual handling, clinical support service and transport throughout the hospital campus and Calvary Private, and to assist in code responses.

Duties

Under limited direction 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, afterhours courier duties, male pre-operative shaves and Mortuary duties.

The WSO team as part of the patient journey will ensure the correct patient is collected for transported while following the transport procedures maintaining patient privacy, confidentiality and safety.

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

1. Code Blue                                            Medical Emergency
2. Code Black                                          Personal Threat
3. Code Red                                            Fire
4. Code Yellow                                        Internal Disaster
5. Code Brown                                        External Disaster
6. Code Orange                                      Evacuation
7. Code Yellow                                        Internal Disaster

• Assist in the safe manual or mechanical lifting and movement of patients, including the safe patient transport throughout the hospital campus, and maintain appropriate infection control.
• Assist nursing staff with pre-operative male shaves.
• Transport medical equipment as directed in all areas of the hospital and perform after hours courier duties as specified.
• Assist with mortuary duties such as the releasing, identification, viewing and placement of deceased persons.
• Assist in general ward housekeeping including dirty linen removal and equipment cleaning.
• Assist with the orientation and training of new recruits throughout all areas of the Hospital excluding operating theatres.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

About you

CHS is committed to workforce diversity and to creating an inclusive workplace. As part of this commitment, we welcome applications from all diversity groups. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability and people who identify as LGBTQIA+ are particularly encouraged to apply.

Behavioural Capabilities

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

Position Requirements / Qualifications

Desirable

• Understanding of Infection Prevention and Control Processes within a healthcare facility.
• Knowledge of Ward Services Officer duties and understanding of the Patient Support Services commitment to client services and outcomes.
• Ability to work Monday to Friday at 76 hours a fortnight as required within all areas of the Hospital.
• The successful applicant will need to be available for weekend and after-hours work.
• 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.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Fulfil the responsibilities of this role in alignment to the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, Clinical Governance Framework, Partnering With Consumers Framework and all other related frameworks.

Please note prior to commencement successful candidates will be required to:

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

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

1. The ability to clearly define the Ward Services Officer 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 North 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.