Neerim Health (NH) is a regional provider of health services located in the Shire of Baw Baw, located approximately 100km east of Melbourne.  The NH has 20 Aged Care and 8 Hospital beds and provides a broad range of services including acute medical and surgical, aged care and community services. The primary catchment area is the Shire of Baw Baw, although patients also present from other Local Government Areas in Gippsland and outer Melbourne.

The Personal Care Worker (PCW) is a member of the nursing team, and actively participates in the planning, implementation and evaluation of personal care for aged care residents and patients under the day to day supervision of an Enrolled or Registered Nurse.

The Personal Care Work will report the Registered Nurse in charge of the shift, with overall reporting to the Nurse Manager.

The Personal Care Worker will be required to liaise with:

Externally:           Patients and their family/carers

Internally:           Nursing staff and Visiting Medical Officers

• Salary and conditions are in accordance with your individual employment agreement and the NH
• Remuneration Packaging is available in accordance with current legislation.
• NH operates under an Equal Opportunity Policy and Occupational Health & Safety Policy in accordance with current
• Effective risk / quality management is a core competency expected of everybody involved at NH
• Advise NH of any pre- existing condition, which could be aggravated by the type of employment they are applying Failure to do so seriously jeopardises any entitlement the employee might have for a work-related aggravation of that non-disclosed pre-existing condition.
• Under the relevant State and Commonwealth legislation all applicants are required to undergo a National Police Check and a Statutory Declaration is required for any staff working in aged care

Direct Care:

• Facilitates the provision of high-quality personal care to meet the needs and expectations of patients, residents, their families and significant others
• Ensure resident care promotes safety, comfort, dignity, privacy, confidentiality and
• Ensure all areas are clean and
• Assist the patient or resident with activities of daily living and encourage them to optimise their own self-care as appropriate.
• Ensure physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs are
• Contribute to the development of a managed care plan after completion of appropriate
• Observe, record and report to the Registered Nurse in charge of the shift:
• General and specific physical and emotional conditions of the patients/residents
• Signs and symptoms which may be indicative of change
• Social and emotional problems affecting those being cared for
• Assist with the provision of care of the resident for all activities of daily living
• Assist with all laundry duties for residents personal clothing.
• To show tolerance, patient and empathy with aged/debilitated people and their needs

Documentation and Administration:

• Ensure the optimal use of all resources within the unit to provide patient/resident centred care.
• Adhere to relevant documentation systems and ensure high standards of completed documentation.
• Utilise information technology effectively.
• Documentation is accurate, timely and complies with legal requirements.
• Check equipment required for each shift and report faulty equipment.

Safe Practice and Environment:

• Use personal protective equipment Standard AS4187-2003, department policy and procedure and infection control manuals.
• Ensure activities function with a clear awareness of the organisations OHS policies and any risk or potential hazards to staff, residents and visitors are addressed immediately.
• Take reasonable care of your own health safety and the health and safety of others in the workplace.
• Compliance with relevant Neerim Health workplace policies, procedures and work instructions / requests.
• Report to the nurse in charge or manager any incident or unsafe conditions which come to your attention.

Confidentiality:

• Ensure that any personal, private, or sensitive information obtained regarding a staff member or resident remains confidential.
• Practice in accordance with the Neerim Health code of conduct and the Care Code of Conduct for Aged Care.

Improving Performance:

• Assist, participate and contribute towards to the Plan of Continuous Improvement (PCI) and the maintenance of the Quality program within the
• Contribute and participate in Accreditation activities/visits and participate in the implementation of the Aged Care Quality Standards as directed.
• Work within a continuous improvement framework including Neerim Health processes for Plan of Continuous Improvementquality activities and policy development.
• Foster a culture which encourages residents, families, colleagues and members of the community to raise concerns, suggestions and complaints and see these as opportunities to improve the quality of our work and care of residents.

• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, regulatory requirements, professional standards and guidelines.
• Implement the standards of health and safety and comply with OH&S legislative employee requirements.
• Report workplace injuries to NM/Director of Clinical Services (DCS)/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and work effectively with staff on return-to-work programs.
• Identify and report clinical risks via the NH Risk Management Framework
• Ensure NH policy and procedures are adhered.
• Comply with relevant legislative Acts and organisational policies and procedures, e.g., OH&S Act 2004, Aged Care Act 1997, and report concerns/breaches to NUM/DCS/CEO.
• Ensure staff compliance with Infection Prevention and Control requirements
• Ensure all incidents are accurately documented and investigated at the time of an incident and the DCS or delegate is informed.
• Responsible for the reporting of any malfunctioning equipment and/or facility to the appropriate line manager.
• Dispose of waste promptly and according to NH Waste Management Policy
• Adhere to Infection Control policies and procedures as identified in the NH Infection Control Manuals.
• Adhere to emergency procedures as detailed in the Emergency Procedure Manual.
• Ensure compliance with Safe Patient Handling program.

 Teamwork:

• Function as a team member consistent with the NH policies and procedures.
• Contributes to the orientation and welcoming of new staff to the unit and the team.
• Contributes to the team through committee membership or supporting colleagues fulfilling committee membership.
• Ability to work and communicate with people of all ages and cognitive abilities to have a supportive and productive relation.

Professional/Personal Development:

• Commit to ongoing education and personal development.
• Negotiate learning objectives with the Nurse Manager.
• Use resources when presented with unfamiliar situations
• Maintain current professional knowledge and skills relevant to the position
• Act to ensure Annual Leave and ADO liability comply with NH policy, if required.
• Act responsibly in relation to rostering practices
• Ensure all annual and biannual mandatory training requirements are maintained as per Neerim Health requirements.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member
• Ability to follow policies and procedures and to prioritise tasks in line with the demands of the service.
• Demonstrated commitment to safe work practice.

Personal Attributes:

• Well-developed communication, interpersonal, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to providing a customer focussed service
• Ability to use initiative.
• Capacity and willingness to be flexible and adaptable.
• Commitment to corporate vision, mission, values and agreed critical strategies.

• Minimum: Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or equivalent
• Ability to work in a team environment to delivery high quality care

Desirable:

• Excellent time management skills and the ability to manage many different demands and work priorities.
• Experience in aged care or aged care related field
• Knowledge in AN-ACC and the assessment requirements

Employment subject to provision of a Working with Children Check.

• 6-month probationary period.
• Salary and conditions are in accordance with your individual employment agreement and the Neerim Health EBA.
• Remuneration packaging is available in accordance with current legislation.
• NH operates under an Equal Opportunity Policy and Occupational Health & Safety Policy in accordance with current legislation.
• Effective risk / quality management is a core competency expected of everybody involved at NH.

Under the relevant State and Commonwealth Legislation all applicants are required to undergo a National Police Check and a Statutory Declaration is required for any staff working in aged care

Position Description Personal Care Worker February 2023