Assistant in Nursing (AIN) Position Description

Position Title: Assistant in Nursing (AIN)

Division: Supported Living

Reporting to: Nurse Unit Manager

Direct Reports: Nil

About Northcott

Who is Northcott?

Northcott is a registered NDIS disability provider that works with customers to realise their potential. As one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit disability service organisations, our workforce of almost 2,500 staff provides services from metropolitan and regional locations in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland. We have nearly 100 years of experience and expertise in disability services and support. In FY2025, we provided empowering, personalised services to more than 5,400 people with disability, and supported more than 23,000 children with disability and development delay and their families as an NDIS Early Childhood Partner in the Community.

What do we do?

Northcott provides personalised and dynamic support, delivered by a committed team who will optimise and maximise support and services for every customer. Our experience and expertise gives confidence to our customers they are in good, trustworthy hands, while our commitment to innovation and pushing boundaries allows us to tackle any challenge currently creating barriers for our customers to reach their potential. Northcott’s diverse range of service offerings and strong community partnerships gives customers easy access to the supports they need or want through a single gateway from our many locations.

What is our promise to each customer?

We will work creatively and relentlessly with each customer to unlock, discover and unleash their potential, supporting and empowering them to be the best they can be now and in the future. Our customers are not numbers, they are unique individuals. We personalise our services to each customer’s current and future needs and goals, every single one, to ensure their development and growth. As advocates for our customer’s inclusion, we will empower them with confidence, choice and opportunity so they can live their life, as they choose, in their own way.

Our Values

Our values have always been a significant part of our service to customers and they have helped shape Northcott into the wonderful organisation it is today. We are Innovative because we develop new ideas and solutions with creativity in anticipation of changing needs. We are Respectful because we believe that everyone’s voice is unique and that they have the right to be heard. We are Brave because we have the courage to stand up for people with all abilities even in the face of adversity.

Diversity and Inclusion

Northcott actively promotes diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing a workplace where every person is valued, respected and supported to progress. Northcott ensures no one is disadvantaged on the basis of their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity, culture, LGBTIQ+ identity, disability, gender, age, religion or caring responsibilities. We recognise the important role language and cultural understanding play in connecting with and supporting our diverse communities.

Key Objective of the Service/Department

Deliver quality nursing and specialist support services for people with disability.

Key Objective of the Position

• Provide services in line with current support service philosophy which promotes improvement in quality of life and fosters independence for people with disability who have a range of functional abilities and complex needs.

Person Specifications (Skills & Knowledge)

• Commitment to achieving valuable outcomes for people with disability
• Commitment to equality and anti-discrimination
• Commitment to a person centred work ethic
• Ability to establish effective and professional working relationships with customers
• Highly developed communication, problem solving and organisational skills
• Ability to motivate and encourage customers in all activities
• Understanding of customer’s specific health needs
• Implementing emergency response plan/s and administering life saving medication or PRN when a registered nurse or enrolled nurse are not present. Appropriate training must be undertaken for this skill.
• Ability to implement and adapt the delivery of services in a complex and changing environment transitioning to contemporary accommodation and support models.

Essential Qualifications & Experience Required

• Valid NDIS Worker Screening Check (or willingness to obtain)
• Valid NSW Working with Children Check or Blue Card (or willingness to obtain)
• Valid Driver’s Licence
• Current First Aid Certificate
• Working towards Certificate III Health Services Assistance (Assisting in Nursing Work in Acute Care) or Certificate III in Individual Support
• Knowledge of WHS principles including safe manual handling procedures
• Knowledge of the disability sector preferred

Delegation Level

• NIL

Core Competencies of the Role

• Problem Solving
  • Defines extent of problem areas and develops solutions.
• Customer Focus
  • Meets internal and external customer needs in a timely and courteous manner.
• Communication
  • Listens effectively, conveys and receives ideas, information and direction
• Teamwork
  • Contributes to the team on areas of specialisation or a specific role.
• Professionalism
  • Displays a professional attitude with regards to oral communication, written communication and dress attire.
• Initiative
  • Independently contributes ideas and projects, sees and acts upon opportunities.
• Ethical Behaviour
  • Ensures their dealings with all others are non-discriminatory, respectful, consistent, timely and equitable.
• Safety
  • Has a strong understanding of WHS principles and applies these in the workplace

Duties

The typical duties of this position include:

1. Deliver services in line with current support service philosophy which promotes improvement in quality of life and fosters independence for people with disability who have a range of functional abilities and complex needs.
2. Provide physical assistance as required. This may include:
   • Assistance with meals.
   • Assistance with toileting.
   • Transfers/hoisting between toilet, wheelchair, motor vehicle, etc.
   • Medical/special procedures where required under the supervision of the Registered nurse
   • Implementing emergency response plan/s and administering life saving medication or PRN when a registered nurse or enrolled nurse are not present. Appropriate training must be undertaken for this skill.
   • Assistance with bathing, showering and grooming.
   • Physical assistance to participate in activities.
   • Housekeeping duties

This list is indicative only and is subject to change. All Northcott employees are required to comply with any reasonable work requests as directed by their employer from time to time.

Northcott Policy and Procedures

All Northcott employees are expected to be familiar with and adhere to Northcott policies and procedures.