A person employed as a Wardsperson/Ward Assistant/Patient Care Assistant would provide administrative, clerical, and support services for a medical or surgical ward, an intensive care unit, or an emergency department.  

Wardspersons/Ward Assistants/Patient Care Assistants help allied health professionals and staff in hospitals and other healthcare establishments with non-medical duties including housekeeping, food service and transportation, and ward, patient and office support.

Wardspersons/Ward Assistants/Patient Care Assistants are usually responsible for providing support and services to meet the patient needs which can include cleaning, catering, laundry and transferring patients internally within a hospital or health care environment. They may be required to use cleaning agents, assist with lifting, turning and re-positioning patients, assist nursing staff in making beds, provide equipment to ward/bed areas eg intravenous poles or transport patients.

Wardspersons/Ward Assistants/Patient Care Assistants work in public and private hospitals, aged-care facilities, hospices, some health clinics and after-care centres.

ANZSCO ID & description: 423311: Assists with the provision of care to patients in a hospital by ensuring wards are neat and tidy, lifting and turning patients and transporting them in wheelchairs or on movable beds, and providing direct care and support.

Alternative Names: Wardsperson, Ward Assistant, Personal Care Assistant, Patient Services Assistant, Hospital Orderlies,


Knowledge, skills and attributes

A patient care assistant needs:

• to be able to work as part of a team

• good communication skills

• to be able to work under minimal supervision

• to maintain patient confidentiality

• a friendly and caring approach

• Able to cope with the physical demands of the job

• Able to lift heavy objects

• Caring and supportive attitude

• Respect for the rights of others

• Able to perform domestic duties efficiently

• Able to follow instructions
  

(Source: Daily Telegraph)

 

Duties and Tasks

• make sure that an adequate supply of clean clothing and linen is available for patients and that soiled items are removed and cleaned

• assist in maintaining stocks of linen and non-medical supplies

• assist with lifting and turning patients and transporting them in wheelchairs or on movable beds

• clean rooms such as bathrooms, showers, utility rooms and offices, and clean interior windows

• mop and buff floors, vacuum carpets, remove rubbish and linen, and dust all areas

• clean equipment in the pan room such as pan trolleys, buckets, pans, bowls, suction bottles and tubing, commodes, wheelchairs, seats and rinse trays

• clean patients' lockers and tables

• distribute and collect food trays, check food orders and replenish refrigerator supplies

• accompany patients who are ready to be discharged to the central waiting area

• transport equipment, X-rays and patient records between wards, departments and theatres

• transport deceased patients from wards to the morgue

• assist in emergencies and patient restraint.

 

Working conditions

Wardpersons/Ward assistants/Patient care assistants usually work indoors in a hospital or health care environment. Your position may involve using hospital strength cleaning agents required to meet hospital infection control standards. Patient care assistants may be required to work shiftwork.

Wardpersons/Ward assistants/Patient care assistantswork rostered shifts which include night and weekend work. They are on their feet for most of the day. In large hospitals, ward assistants may work in a particular department such as outpatients or maternity. In smaller institutions, they may assist in several or all departments.

Tools and technologies

Patient care assistants can be required to use a range of tools and technologies including: equipment to transport patients, lifting aids, cleaning equipment.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a patient care assistant/ ward assistant without formal qualifications and get training on the job. However, entry into this occupation may be improved by obtaining a qualification in health services assistance or health support services.

The Certificate II and III in Health Support Services and the Certificate III in Health Services Assistance are offered at TAFE Colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.

You may also improve your employment prospects if you complete a traineeship. The health service assistance or health support services traineeships usually take 12 months to complete are also available as school-based traineeships.

Admissions Clerks record and process information required for the admission and discharge of hospital patients, and respond to telephone inquiries. A hospital admitting clerk is responsible for processing patients when they arrive at a hospital. They ask patients pertinent questions and ensure that all necessary paperwork is properly completed so that patients can be admitted. They may need to transfer data from the paperwork to computer files, and update patient files as needed. In some respects their work is similar to the work of a receptionist, because they will answer calls and greet those arriving at the hospital. Once the patient's paperwork is processed it is transferred to the patient's file or the appropriate medical personnel so that the patient can receive treatment.

 

ANZSCO ID: 542112
   
Alternative names: Hospital Ward Clerk, Ward Clerk, Hospital Admitting Clerk, Hospital Admissions Clerk, Medical Admissions Clerk,
  
Knowledge, skills and attributes

Traits that employers may be looking for include good communication, organization and customer service skills. Because you'll often be one of the first contacts that patients encounter on their visit, it's important that you are professional, timely and pleasant.

• Familiarity with hospital operations and procedures;

• familiarity with interviewing techniques required to elicit specific information;

• familiarity with automated information systems;

• ability to comprehend and carry out hospital admitting procedures;

• ability to complete various forms and other documents used in the hospital admitting process with a high degree of accuracy and attentiveness to detail;

• ability to communicate and get along well with all types of people;

• ability to effectively use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments;

• tact and understanding in dealing with patients in a sometimes stressful situation;

• thoroughness; initiative; good judgment; pleasant manner; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

(Source: St John of God)

Duties and Tasks

As a hospital admitting clerk, your primary job duties will be admitting patients and making sure all admissions paperwork is sufficiently filled out. Additionally, you may enter patient information into the hospital's computer system.

• Greets and welcomes patients, and directs them to the appropriate person.

• Arranges and records details of admissions.

• Answers, connects and transfers telephone calls.

• Receives and resolves complaints from patients and the public.

• May perform other clerical tasks such as word processing, data entry, filing, mail dispatch and photocopying.

Working conditions

Work is performed in one of three shifts as assigned, in a 24-hour, 7 day per week schedule.

Tools and technologies

Uses computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as an Admissions Clerk without formal qualifications, however, a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course in administration (business or health), secretarial or clerical studies may be useful. Beyond a high school diploma, no standard education requirement exists for becoming a hospital admitting clerk or hospital admissions clerk. In some cases, you may be able to train for this position on-the-job. Other employers may require knowledge of medical terminology and general receptionist skills, which you could gain through a certificate program in medical information technology or medical office training. You will likely take courses in medical terminology and health care ethics. You might also learn about medical billing, transcription, record keeping and general medical office procedures. Such programs may also teach basic receptionist skills and computer literacy. You'll likely learn to use various office computer programs, including word processing, spreadsheet and desktop publishing software.

Employment Opportunities
  

The number of people working in this industry has remained stable in recent years. There are currently 6,900 people working as an Admissions Clerk in Australia compared to 6,700 five years ago. Admissions Clerks may find work across all regions of Australia, particularly larger towns and cities where hospitals are located.

 

 

Hospital food service managers provide leadership in private and public healthcare facilities. They handle administrative roles relating to food preparation, staff, inventory, maintaining operational standards, and more. The professionals also plan menus with the assistance of the patients' dietitian and kitchen staff. This is aimed at ensuring that the meals are adequately varied, nutritious, and suit the specific needs of individual patients.

The managers are also responsible for directing the presentation of food for staff cafeterias in addition to public and private wards.

ANZSCO ID: 134299

Alternative names: Hospital Food Service Director,

Knowledge, skills and attributes

 

Important qualities for Food Service Managers

• Leadership skills – the ability to lead by example with the aim to boost productivity and employee morale

• Communication skills – managers are required to communicate effectively with both customers and staff to ensure clarity

• Physical stamina – the role is demanding and entails working long hours, some of which are spent standing and walking

• Organizational skills – managers must plan budgets, schedules, and inventory effectively to ensure operations run smoothly

• Problem-solving skills – the ability to investigate and resolve customer complaints or personnel issues is vital for success in the field

They occasionally encounter delicate situations, particularly when it comes to handling complaints. A good food service manager must demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills in their duties.

 

(Source: Food Management)

 

Duties and Tasks

 One of the primary responsibilities of a food supervisor in a hospital is employee management. The manager schedules and supervises workers, and may also have responsibility for hiring and firing. Food supervisors also establish and enforce a comprehensive set of food safety regulations, both in the kitchen and in the food service areas.

Hospital Food Service Managers are responsible for dealing with suppliers to ensure that the hospital kitchens are well-stocked at all times. They also might have to find uncommon ingredients for patients with special dietary needs.

It is common for the managers to help staff serve patients during busy periods. This is aimed at maintaining high standards of service and ensuring satisfaction. They also arrange regular maintenance and cleaning services, including pest control.

• Inventory and Ordering
  Keeping track of inventory and ordering food and other supplies is another primary responsibility of a food service supervisor. A hospital manager has the additional challenge of having to prepare a number of special diets for patients, which means keeping a wider variety of supplies and foodstuffs in inventory.

• Supervision of Food Production
  A food service manager supervises the production and distribution of food served in the hospital. She produces the recipes and production orders for the kitchen staff, and oversees the quality of the food. In larger operations, assistant managers handle much of the direct supervision.

• Nutrition, Menu Preparation and Special Diets
  Food supervisors in hospitals have to make sure that meals are both tasty and nutritious, and planning menus is a big part of their job. They typically work closely with nutritionists and dietitians to plan and prepare both the regular and special diet menus in hospitals. Often hospitals will have a rotating menu for common special diets, such as low-sodium or low-fat versions.

• Budgeting and Payroll
  Last but not least, food supervisors in hospitals may have budgeting and payroll responsibilities. Many larger hospitals will separate these administrative functions, but food managers at many smaller operations handle both, in addition to their other duties.
  

Other Tasks Food Service Managers Might Be Required to Do

• Ensure compliance with relevant health and safety standards

• Investigate and resolve customer complaints

• Assign duties and compile the roster

• Keep budgets and payroll records

• Ensure accuracy of business records

• Interview, hire, and train employees

• Reprimand staff for any misconduct

• Plans menus with a dietitian for patients and staff to ensure meals are nutritious, varied, attractive and suit the specific needs of individuals.
  

They also direct and control the purchasing, preparation and presentation of food for public and private wards and staff cafeterias with the assistance of the head cook or chef and assistant catering officers.

 

(Source: Food Management)

Working conditions

Unlike managers in fast-food chains and restaurants, professionals employed in institutional food service settings generally work regular hours.

Institutional food service supervisors have a difficult job. Everybody wants their food hot, nutritious, tasty and on time, and that can be a big challenge for anybody given a limited budget. Hospital food service managers have the added responsibility of satisfying the dietary restrictions of patients. The difficulty of the job and the growing skill set required has led many managers to pursue post-secondary education to succeed in their jobs.

Education and training/entrance requirements
    
Undergoing training in food service management is a viable way to gain in-depth knowledge and advanced skills. The more education and training you have, the better candidate you will be to future employers who need someone to take on this very important role.

Possessing a bachelor's degree gives candidates a competitive advantage on the job market. The qualification makes it easier to receive high salaries at leading private hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Many top food service professionals start their career by participating in internship programs run by non-healthcare organizations.

The majority of food service management training programs focus on food preparation, sanitation, nutrition, and business administration subjects. The coursework allows students to familiarize with the intricacies of running a successful food service outlet.

 

​Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs

Accountant	Chef	Cleaner	Dietitian
Drycleaner Laundry Worker	Human Resource Professional	Medical Administrator	Nurse Enrolled Nurse
Nursing Director/Manager	Receptionist	Special Care Worker	WHS Officer

 

Material sourced from
Jobs & Skills WA [Patient Care Assistant; ]
Learn [Admissions Clerk ; ]
ECPI University [Hospital Food Service Manager];
Work Chron [Hospital Food Service Manager]
Good Universities Guide [Hospital Administrator; Ward Assistant; ];
Open Colleges
Your Career [Hospital Orderly; Personal Care Assistant; Other Health & Welfare Services Manager; Admissions Clerk; ]



 

 

 

 

 

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