Health care workers upskilled
A team of Tokoroa health care workers have been given the chance to upskill themselves, working as Covid-19 vaccinators.
Last year, the Ministry of Health announced it would need an extra 1600 full-time vaccinators across the country to compliment its regular workforce of general practitioners, nurses, and pharmacists.
The ministry said it would source vaccinators from a range of clinical roles, plus introduce a system to allow people who have worked in other health care settings to become Covid-19 vaccinators working under supervision (CVWUS).
Faced with unprecedented demand, Tokoroa embraced CVWUS and has trained six local health care workers to take on roles as Covid-19 vaccinators.
The Tokoroa programme is a great example of collaboration, with the Waikato DHB working in partnership with the Raukawa Charitable Trust and South Waikato Pacific Island Community Services (SWPICS) after the new CVWUS roles were established late last year.
Tokoroa-based CVWUS supervisor and assessor Sarah McFadyen said the addition of CVWUS staff significantly increases capacity, particularly during periods of peak demand.
‘‘It was great to have been involved with this first cohort of hard-working and dedicated staff in Tokoroa.
‘‘I’m excited about the opportunity this additional training provides for them and look forward to seeing what they do next,’’ she said.
SWPICS chief executive Akarere Henry said the new staff were selected based on their maturity, career pathways, and a sincerity in serving their communities.
The training programme provides for a more diverse group of vaccinators that the public can identify as friendly local faces.
It involves an online course, a face-to-face workshop run by the Immunisation Advisory Centre, CPR and basic life support training, a workbook, and a period of observing all aspects of the vaccination process.
Candidates then perform a minimum of five directly supervised vaccinations and if the assessor and the candidate feel they are competent they then apply to the Ministry of Health for authorisation as a CVWUS.
Meriol Tearetoa said she’s studying to become a registered nurse and used the opportunity to gain practical experience.
‘‘This particular focus area is topical, and we have been a strong part of its implementation in this community.
‘‘It has allowed me to apply the theory of my study with a practical application which will have huge benefits for our Pacific community.
‘‘It’s why I took up nursing. I want to be able to serve with quality and utilise my Pacific approach to enabling wellbeing,’’ she said.
Tearetoa has been joined on the Tokoroa CVWUS team by Vana Cortez, Maine Te Aroa Natua, Faye Iva Henry, Elizabeth Okiakama and Jessica Kirikava.