Health Care Assistant - Emergency Department

Location: Hutt Hospital

Contract:  Permanent, Part Time 0.7 FTE Rostered and Rotating

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we’re building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence. 

About the Role 

Health Care assistants in the Emergency department  (ED) contribute to the successful operation of the nursing/ midwifery team by collaborating and working alongside the Inter-disciplinary team, Registered Nurse (RN) or Midwife (RM) to meet the patient/client needs.  They will assist with delegated patient care, cleaning and undertake housekeeping or clerical functions. The Health Care Assistant may also be required to undertake a specific area of responsibility, as assigned by their manager.

As an unregulated healthcare worker, the Health Care Assistant (HCA) works under the direction and delegation of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Midwife (RM) and will only be delegated tasks that do not require specialised nursing/midwifery knowledge, judgement or skill. The HCA will remain responsible for their actions, while the RN or RM is accountable for the delegation decision, assessment and evaluation of outcomes. The HCA will receive training to complete specific tasks within defined boundaries according to the service areas requirements. 

The Emergency department HCA needs to be flexible in working in all areas of the ED HCA role covering testing, clinical and non-clinical duties. Full training will be provided for specific tasks.

Quality practice and improved patient safety is an important part of this role. 

The HCA is expected to contribute to the implementation of District and nursing goals and values and to promote Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley as a centre of excellence for nursing practice.

Health Care Assistants (HCA) are legally accountable for their actions and accountable to their employer. They must have the appropriate skills and knowledge to undertake activities, and be working within policy and direction and delegation of a Registered Nurse or Midwife. 

They must be careful not to lead health consumers to believe they are a nurse when undertaking aspects of nursing care (Nursing Council of New Zealand 2011).

About the Team/Service/ Location 

Hutt Emergency department is a level 4 emergency care service and see approximately 80,000 patients a year. Generally it is at its busiest in the winter months. Patient acuity ranges from ‘walking wounded’ to life threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest and trauma.

Our service includes a 10 bed minor injuries unit and a distraction therapy area called the Tree Hutt for our paediatric patients. Our team comprises of over 100 full time equivalent medical and nursing staff together with health care assistants and administrative staff. 

About you 

Essential:

  • Health and Wellbeing: Health Assistance Level 3 or equivalent or prepared to complete within specified timeframes 

    • Desired:

  • Previous experience in a health care setting desirable
  • A friendly, caring and empathetic manner
  • The ability to act calmly and quickly in emergencies
  • The ability to follow instructions
  • Good communication skills
  • The ability to deal with sickness and distressing medical situations
  • Delivering an exemplary standard of care 
  • Innovation and critical thinking
  • Commitment to sustainable practice

    • Working at Health New Zealand 

    Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is ‘the weaving of wellness’. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. 

    Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations. We embrace diversity and welcome application from all people, including all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and disability. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We are pro-equity health organisation, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community. 

    How to Apply 

    To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal.

    If you have any questions about the role, please contact Deb.Brodie@tewhatuora.govt.nz

    We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advertisement.

    Position description Apply now
    Apply now

    Permanent/Part Time

    Job no: NM256-26

    Location: Lower Hutt

    Closing Date: Wednesday, 29 July 2026

    Print