Healthcare Assistant

Morehampton Road | Dublin 4| D04HX40

email: [email protected]       Tel: 01 406 6632

Or

Patricia O’ Reilly , Assistant Director of Nursing

email: [email protected] Tel: 01 4066611

The Health Care Assistant (HCA) works as part of a multidisciplinary team and is responsible for assisting with the provision of individualized patient/resident care while under the supervision, direction and guidance of a Registered Nurse and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.  He/she supports and assists patients/residents in all activities of daily living

The Health Care Assistant works as part of a multidisciplinary team to assist in the provision of health and social care for patients/residents/clients. He/she supports and assists clients/residents in all activities of daily living in line with the needs and wishes of the individual and as outlined in an agreed care plan.

Each candidate should:

•  Have FETAC Level 5 in Healthcare Support
• Have been educated to Leaving Certificate standard.
  Or
•  Have passed an examination of comparable standard at second level.
•  Have previous healthcare experience or similar background
• Have satisfactory relevant experience which encompasses demonstrable equivalent skills.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Have fluent command and understanding of English language to include spoken and written

A Successful applicant will be required to attend for assessment by the hospitals Occupational Health Physician and be certified fit for the full range of duties applicable to the post

Each candidate for and any person holding the post must be of good character and be able to demonstrate an empathetic and caring approach to patients and relatives and work so that patients’ dignity & respect is maintained at all times. They must demonstrate the ability to work on their own initiative and as part of multidisciplinary team, be self-motivation and have the ability to adapt to the needs of the service within a hospital setting

The care assistant must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, relatives at all times.

Duties and Responsibilities

The care assistant will assist with the resident’s activities of living as outlined below under the direction and supervision of the Registered Nurse.  This list is not exhaustive as other duties will be assigned as needed.

• Provide individual assistance  and support to patients
• Assist with the personal hygiene of individual patients.
• Ensure individual patients dietary needs are adhered to including special diets and supplementary drinks under the direction of the nursing staff

Typical Duties

Duties include supporting clients/residents in directing their own lives, acting as an advocate for clients/residents, promoting their participation in the running of the care setting, promoting the social interaction of clients/residents with the community, contributing to the development and implementation of behavioural support plans and multidisciplinary assessment and care plans, acting as a key worker for named clients/residents’ person centred planning process, accompanying clients/residents on general medical and hospital appointments, attending to clients/residents personal care and all activities of daily living e.g. assisting clients to maintain standards of personal hygiene, laundry, dietary intake and physical and mental health and any other personal needs, preparing and serving food, assisting with upkeep and general hygiene and cleanliness of facilities/accommodation.

General   Duties

• Record food and fluid intake as directed.
• Prepare and serve food /drinks outside normal catering hours.
• Assist with elimination needs.
• Assist with patients mobility needs as per safer moving and handling policy and individual mobility assessments.
• Assist patients with walking as directed.
• Accompany patients to other departments within the hospital and outside as directed.
• Monitor ward areas for cleanliness and hygiene and report to nurse in charge as required.
• Answer phones, referring queries in relation to patients to relevant nursing staff.
• Assist patients with making telephone calls.
• Manage patient’s property as per hospital policy.
• Assist with the last office and preparation of the deceased for transfer to the mortuary.

• Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and any subsequent relevant legislation and must follow these in full at all times including ensuring that they act in line with all agreed procedures at all times in order to maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff.
•  Be   familiar with all hospital policies, procedures and guidelines re Health & Safety.
• Ensure a high level of infection control and cleanliness within the ward/unit and general hospital surroundings.
• Attend fire lectures and drills and be aware of specific hospital fire procedures.
• Be compliant with safer moving and handling and attend regular mandatory training as outlines in hospital policy.
• Report and record details of all accidents and incidents involving staff, patients, visitors, self or any person within the area to the CNM2 or nurse in charge and the nursing officer .
• Co-operate with the guidelines for education and training planning in operation in The Royal Hospital Donnybrook.