Health Care Assistant - Mental Health Older Person at Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty, Bay of Plenty

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Mō Tātou – About Us

Situated in the sunny eastern coast of New Zealand's North Island, the Bay of Plenty really is just that, offering vast golden sand beaches, bush clad mountains, lush farmlands and more. Its pleasant climate means that the area has become a favourite for holiday makers, retirees and those looking for a different lifestyle outside of the main cities.

Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty is spread across a vast geographical area and centred across two hospitals based in Tauranga and Whakatāne.  We serve a population of approximately 259,000 for the major population centres of Tauranga, Katikati, Te Puke, Whakatāne, Kawerau and Ōpōtiki.  Te Whatu Ora Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty is one of the Bay of Plenty's largest employers with over 4000 staff.

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity available for a Health Care Assistant in our 10 bed in-patient unit within the Mental Health Services for Older People team at Tauranga Hospital.  The successful applicants will assist our team of Registered/Enrolled Nurses to deliver high quality care to Tangata Whai Ora who are experiencing significant distress due to living with dementia or have an acute mental health problem. 

Tangata Whai Ora, who we provide assessments for, have their own journey of life experiences.  They are professionals, whānau and community members who are now presenting with acute mental health conditions and/or dementia ranging from early onset to severe.  Tangata Whai Ora require a caring and compassionate health team to assist in providing assessment and treatment for conditions such as dementia with behavioural and psychological conditions and palliative dementia care. This is an excellent unit to develop a broad range of physical and mental health nursing skills and develop communication skills when engaging with whanau, as they play an integral role in supporting their loved ones throughout their journey and post discharge.

This is an excellent unit to develop a broad range of skills and experience for career progression.  You will be supported and encouraged to develop your skills and continue learning. You will working within a small team which allows you to be involved with activities to get to know the patients.

The service provides care over a 24-hour rostered shift pattern and you need to be able to work rostered duties.

We have casual hours available working ‘as and when required' to cover days with high demand at Tauranga Hospital.

Mōu - About You 

You will need to have good communication skills, a calm and empathic approach, flexibility and creativity in your care approach.  You will be a resilient person who enjoys working within a small team.  You will be able to build report with patients, staff and families by actively listening and showing understanding which will make a difference to our patient's needs and care.

It is essential that you hold an NZQA Health Care Assistant Programme Level 4 Certificate. 

Ko o tatou painga – Our Benefits 

• Career development  
• Coaching and mentoring
• Opportunity to make a difference for the vulnerable population
• Be a valued member of a multidisciplinary team
• SWEAT, our onsite gym 
• Free onsite parking 
• Discounts (with local businesses)

Ngā uarātanga ō ā mātou mahi – Our Values

At Te Whatu Ora Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty (formally Bay of Plenty District Health Board BOPDHB) we recruit for our Manaakitanga CARE values. Why do we do this? Because values-based teams deliver better care.

Our manaakitanga CARE values (Compassion, All-one-team, Responsive and Excellence) support each of us to make a difference every day in the things we do and say. Therefore, it's important that when recruiting, we recruit new colleagues who live by our CARE values.

Te Whatu Ora Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty are committed to improving Māori health outcomes and achieving health equity for Māori through Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. It is essential you demonstrate an awareness of Māori indigenous rights and current issues in relation to health and health equity.

Me pēhea te tuku tono - How to Apply

You can view the position description below and to apply for the role please click “APPLY NOW.”  For tracking and reporting purposes, all applications must be submitted through our online career's portal.  If you have any queries about this position, please do not hesitate to contact Sharon Linwood (Clinical Nurse Manager) on 07 579 8959

It is desirable that new employees of Te Whatu Ora are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which includes two doses of an approved vaccine. If you are unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or booster for any reason, please indicate this in your application so we can discuss this with you further.