Assistants in Nursing have had a role in the NSW Health system for many years as a valued part of the nursing workforce. Historically Assistants in Nursing have played a greater role in aged care facilities because their qualifications were targeted to aged care. However there is now a national qualification to train Assistants in Nursing for employment in the acute care setting.
The Healthcare Assistant Initiative was implemented by NSW Health to expand and enhance the health assistant workforce, including the role of the Assistant in Nursing in the acute care environment. A process of consultation has occurred as part of this initiative to establish a consistent approach to the education, role and employment of Assistants in Nursing in the NSW public health system.
The aims of the Healthcare Assistant Initiative are to:
If you know someone who is interested in becoming an Assistant in Nursing, further information on training opportunities is available at Assistant in Nursing.
A number of resources for working with Assistants in Nursing have been developed as part of the Healthcare Assistant Initiative. The resources are available for download using the links below and will provide you with a range of information about working with Assistants in Nursing including information such as their agreed scope of practice, clinical skill mix considerations and supervision guidelines.
The Health Service Implementation Package, Working with Assistants in Nursing in the acute care environment, is comprised of four sections covering:
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia approves codes and guidelines to provide guidance to the professions. These also help to clarify our views and expectations on a range of issues. For more information, see Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - Frameworks.