Health Care Assistant - Ophthalmology

About the Company At Hawkes Bay Fallen Soldiers Memorial Hospital, we are committed to providing exceptional healthcare services while fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. We pride ourselves on offering rewarding professional opportunities alongside an enviable lifestyle in one of New Zealand's most picturesque regions. As part of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, we operate under the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, striving to build a health system that is accessible to all New Zealanders. About the Role We are looking for a dedicated Health Care Assistant to join our Ophthalmology team in a permanent, part-time capacity, working 64 hours (0.8 FTE) every fortnight. In this role, you will play an essential part in helping our clinical team deliver safe and high-quality care to patients receiving eye health services. Your day-to-day responsibilities may include assisting with patient flow through clinics, preparing rooms and equipment, supporting clinicians during procedures, and ensuring that patients feel welcomed, informed, and comfortable throughout their visit. This is an exciting opportunity to make a tangible impact on the vision and quality of life for our community while collaborating closely with nurses, technicians, and ophthalmologists. About the Team/Service/Location Our Ophthalmology team is a compassionate and multidisciplinary group dedicated to providing timely and empathetic eye care to the Hawkes Bay community. You will be joining a collaborative service that values teamwork, ongoing learning, and high-quality patient outcomes. For more information about living and working in Hawkes Bay, we encourage you to explore the resources available. About You As a Health Care Assistant, you will be a compassionate, reliable, and proactive member of our team. We are looking for someone who thrives in a busy, fast-paced clinical environment and demonstrates a genuine commitment to delivering excellent patient care. You will take pride in your ability to support both patients and clinicians, maintaining a calm and reassuring presence while ensuring a smooth and safe patient journey through our service. To be successful in this role, you will have: - Previous experience in a healthcare, patient-facing, or clinical support role, ideally within a hospital or outpatient setting. - Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with patients of all ages, including those who may feel anxious or have limited vision. - Excellent organizational skills, capable of managing multiple tasks, prioritizing workloads, and working efficiently during busy clinic sessions. - A commitment to infection control, safe practice, and high standards of cleanliness, particularly when preparing equipment and clinical spaces. - A positive, team-focused attitude, with a willingness to support colleagues, adapt to service needs, and contribute to a respectful and inclusive workplace culture. - A desire to learn and develop, especially in specialized Ophthalmology procedures and the equipment used within the service. - Basic computer literacy and the ability to accurately record information to support patient flow and clinical documentation. Working at Health New Zealand At Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, we are dedicated to providing excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a diverse and inclusive workforce, which allows us to better understand and serve our community. We welcome applications from individuals across our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. How to Apply If you are interested in this opportunity, please click 'apply now.' All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal. We review applications as they are received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advertisement. We acknowledge that Health New Zealand is undergoing changes, and affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.