SLSC Health Care Assistant

Community Healthcare Sligo LeitrimBallyshannon, DonegalPart-timePermanent

Job Title and Grade

Health Care Assistant (HCA) Ballyshannon Community Hospital (Grade Code 6075)

Cúntóir Cúraim Sláinte

Competition Reference

SLSC2654

Closing Date

Thursday 19th November 2026 at 12noon

Proposed Interview date(s)

TBC

Taking up Appointment

A start date will be indicated at job offer stage

Location of Post

Ballyshannon Community Hospital, Older Person’s Service, South Donegal.

A panel may be formed as a result of this campaign for Ballyshannon Community Hospital, Older People Services from which current and future, permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part-time duration may be filled. Once formed, the panel will remain in existence for 12 months.

Informal Enquiries

Donna Reid (Director of Nursing)

Email: donnaj.reid@hse.ie

Tel: 0876536779

Details of Service

Older Person Services are expanding in order to meet the needs of our aging population and offer more rewarding nursing career opportunities than you may be aware of. We are committed to providing progressive high standards of nursing care to clients with a wide range of simple to complex palliative, acute or long term care needs. In addition to our Older Person clients, many of our facilities also provide care to younger people living with chronic conditions. These nurse led services allow extensive opportunities to fully engage in the delivery of holistic quality care, working with many other health care professionals such as GPs, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Dieticians, Health Care Assistants and QRPS Teams to ensure the best outcomes for service users and residents

Reporting Relationship

When working in the Nursing area, the post holder will report to the Clinical Nurse Manager 2 or designated officer. The post holder will be Accountable to the Assistant Director of Nursing and the Director of Nursing.

The role of the HCA is to support the delivery of patient care under the supervision and direction of qualified nursing personnel (Shannon et al., 2001).

Nursing has been defined as "The use of clinical judgement in the provision of care to enable people to improve, maintain, or recover health, to cope with health problems, and to achieve the best quality of life, whatever their disease or disability, until death” (Royal College of Nursing, 2003). The difference between the registered nurse and the health care assistant is in the knowledge that is the basis of the assessment of need and the determination of action to meet the need, plus the clinical judgement inherent in the processes of assessment, diagnosis, prescription and evaluation.

Key Working Relationships

The Health Care Assistants key working relationship is primarily with nursing but also incorporates all members of the blended multidisciplinary team in Older Person’s Service.

Purpose of the Post

To assist with the delivery of resident/older adult care under the supervision and direction of Nursing or other Professional Staff.

“Healthcare assistants provide assistance, support and direct personal care to patients and residents in a variety of healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, aged care facilities, as well as community and domestic settings. They generally work in support, or under delegation, direction and supervision, of health professionals. They support multi-disciplinary teams in the delivery of high-quality care.” - International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO).

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The health care assistant, under the direction/supervision of the nurse, will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to assist in providing high standards of health and social care to residents/older adults. The Health Care Assistant will carry out assigned and delegated responsibilities involving direct and indirect care with all activities of daily living under the supervision of a registered nurse, e.g. to assist residents/older adults with personal hygiene, dietary intake , physical, mental, social health and wellbeing care needs. The health care assistant will support residents/older adults in directing their own lives, choices and preferences, in accordance to their cognitive and physical abilities. Care will be provided in an environment that reflects the comforts of home.

The Health Care Assistant role involves:

· The duties outlined hereunder

· Any other duties that may be necessary in the context of specific unit situations.

Core Responsibilities

The Health Care Assistant will:

· Carry out baseline clinical observations under delegation of the Nurse in charge; recording of blood pressure, taking of pulse, taking of temperature and urinalysis. Required training module must be completed.

· Assist in the provision of quality service under the direction of the Registered Nurse by promoting and adopting the Health Service Executive’s philosophy of care, working in line with national and locally devised policies and regulations.

· Demonstrate motivation and appreciate the importance of providing a quality service for residents/older adults and the public.

· Respect residents/older adults, their families and colleagues as individuals showing dignity, courtesy and professionalism at all times.

· Act as an advocate for residents/older adults.

· Actively promote the participation of residents/older adults in their own care, and encourage as much independence as possible.

· Maintain the confidentiality of all information made available to them during the course of their work.

· Demonstrate good interpersonal skills and be able to work as part of a team.

· Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace.

Quality and Safety

The Health Care Assistant will:

· Support the implementation and evaluation of quality standards and improvement initiatives

· Work within own role, adhering to current legislation, policies, procedures protocols and guidelines

· Undertake duties as assigned by the Registered Nurse in such a way as to ensure that care is of a high standard

· Report all complaints in accordance with service policy

· Ensure all actions support the enhancement of a person-centred service and a person-centred culture within the team

· Co-operate with quality reviews /service evaluations and assists with the implementation of any necessary corrective action.

Health & Safety including Maintaining a Safe Environment :

The Health Care Assistant will:

· In accordance with Health and Safety at Work policy, observe all rules relating to Health and Safety and Conduct at Work and to use any equipment provided in a safe and responsible manner.

· Understand and adhere to all relevant HSE policies, guidelines, and procedures, comply with health and safety, infection control and risk management procedures, comply with statutory obligations.

· Report any accidents, near misses, incident or potential incident to the person in charge which may compromise the health and safety of residents/older adults, staff or visitors and take appropriate action including completion of near miss / incident forms.

· Attend training courses as required. Only undertake any duty related to residents/older adults care for which he / she is trained.

· Maintain a strict code of personal and general hygiene in the workplace as per work schedules and existing policies and procedures.

o Present to work wearing the agreed attire, footwear, and identification, having regard to the highest standard of attire and personal hygiene. This includes not having possession of personal mobile phones while delivering resident/older adult care.

· Conduct his / herself in a manner that ensures safe resident/older adult care. Participates in maintaining a safe environment for residents/older adults, visitors and staff by ensuring vigilance in identifying potential hazards and by taking the necessary steps to remove such hazards.

These steps will include:

o Report broken or unsafe items that need repair and take them out of circulation as required

o Move, or assist in moving, equipment and/or furniture as necessary.

o Attending to the hygiene (disinfecting and cleaning) of equipment such as I.V. stands, infusion pumps, hoists, beds, patient chairs, commodes or other ward equipment.

o Be responsible for the appropriate storage and infection prevention of resident/older adult equipment on the ward.

o Assist in keeping all ward areas clean and tidy.

o Assist in the disposal of clinical waste according to hospital policy.

o Washing and making up beds and bed side chairs and table top when necessary.

o Prepare ward and bed areas for the reception of new resident/older adult.

o Returning trays and equipment to proper storage areas.

o Attend to spillages when necessary as quickly as possible to prevent accidents.

o Provide support to residents/older adults in maintaining the living environment, preparation of meals and activities of daily living[1].

o Be aware of fire risks, and minimise same where possible. Be aware of fire exits, keep free from obstructions, attend mandatory fire training and participate in fire drills. Maintain bed fire sheets on all beds as appropriate, and document monthly.

o Escort/transport patients within or outside the hospital when necessary.

o Provide support for patients who require enhanced care.

o Assist residents/older adults with mobility and reduce the risk for residents/older adults who are disorientated when moving around the ward.

o Assist visitors on the ward to prevent them falling or injuring themselves.

o Assist with the safekeeping of resident/older adult’s personal property (collaborate with nursing staff in dealing with money, valuables and medication) and document as per hospital policy.

Education & Training

The Health Care Assistant will:

· Attend induction and mandatory in-service education.

· As requested, participate in the induction of new staff.

· Participate in team based development, education, training and learning.

· Participate in appraisal and the development of a personal development plan in conjunction with their line manager.

· Ensure knowledge and skills are updated to maintain safe standards of care for residents/older adults

Communication and Teamwork :

Effective communication is a core skill required by Health Care Assistants. These skills will be used to provide a caring service to the public in a courteous and effective manner.

The Health Care Assistant will:

· Operate in accordance with the values of the HSE. These values include integrity and openness, respect and support, caring and loyalty to the organisation (Dignity at work Policy).

· Deal courteously with residents/older adults, their family, with visitors, other healthcare workers and with anyone whom they come in to contact in the course of their duties.

· Demonstrate a range of listening skills appropriate to the context of resident/older adult, visitor and ward situations. Be perceptive in interpreting non-verbal communication. Communicate effectively with residents/older adults taking into account their differing levels of ability to understand and their condition.

· Use a range of communication methods to exchange information with nursing staff. Direct all enquiries about a resident/older adult’s condition to a member of the nursing staff. This includes both telephone and verbal inquiries. Report to nursing staff any requests from residents/older adults or relatives and any complaints of pain and distress expressed by the residents/older adults. Complete records accurately.

· Report to nursing staff any changes in the resident/older adult’s physical and emotional condition or behaviour using ISBAR or similar communication framework/communication tool as per local policy. Required training in the communication framework/communication tool must be completed.

· Communicate effectively with all grades of staff and disciplines contributing to effective team working. Respect culture and diversity within the team. Strive to foster good working relationships within the team including handling conflict. Work effectively and co-operatively with colleagues in all disciplines. Develop and maintain good interpersonal relationships.

· Participate and contribute to the team including handovers/meetings /care planning, as appropriate on service related issues.

· Contribute to the development of a multidisciplinary assessment and care plan, and assist in its implementation and evaluation in consultation with the Nurse, resident/older adult and family as appropriate.

· Participate in maintaining a physical environment that communicates peace, comfort and caring to residents/older adults and their families.

The HCA has important obligations in relation to maintaining confidentiality. This applies to information accessed through interactions with patients and their relatives or through interactions with other staff. However, there is also an obligation to report to the nurse, or other relevant authority any information that may indicate the potential of harm occurring to any person.

Breathing:

The Health Care Assistant will:

· Recognise and report any signs of distress or change in the residents/older adults breathing pattern to the nurse immediately.

· Assist with positioning the resident/older adult to make breathing easier and more effective.

· Locate and bring oxygen-supplying equipment to the bedside as directed by the nurse.

· Help residents/older adults conserve their oxygen supply and reduce their demands for oxygen by positioning personal items such as drinks, tissues and reading material within easy reach.

· Maintain the bedroom in a well ventilated condition, and in the condition perceived by the resident/older adult as being most comfortable.

· Maintain a calming and relaxing atmosphere for the resident/older adult.

Eating and Drinking

The Health Care Assistant has a significant contribution to make in helping residents/older adults meet their needs for food and drink (nutrition and hydration).

In the context of resident/older resident care under the direction of the nurse the Health Care Assistant will:

· Where required/requested assist the resident/older adult in choosing from the menu and completing the menu card as per local policy

· Prepare the eating environment by removing any clutter prior to meals and making it as aesthetically pleasant as possible as per local policy.

· Offer the resident/older adult with the opportunity to clean teeth/dentures, to use toilet facilities and or to wash their hands, as appropriate.

· Assist residents/older adults with their diet and fluids in accordance with care plan.

· Assist residents/older adults with cutting or arranging their food so it can be easily eaten.

· Observe and record the amount of food and liquids consumed by residents/older adults who need special monitoring in this area and document appropriately as per local policy

· Liaise with the resident/older adult and the nursing staff to source alternative diet if offered meals are not eaten.

· Make residents/older adults comfortable after their meals (for example repositioning them or offering opportunities to clean their teeth or dentures)

· Encourage residents/older adults to drink plenty of fluids and making this possible by offering refreshing drink frequently.

· In the absence of catering staff, assist with preparation and serving of meals, nutritional drinks and light snacks in limited circumstances i.e. out of hours or in emergency situations[2].

Elimination:

Eliminating waste from the body is an essential process for human-being. It is a function of nursing to assist people in this activity of daily living when assistance is required. The Health Care Assistant will assist with residents/older adults elimination needs, as appropriate.

The Health Care Assistant will:

· Supervise residents/older adults in the toilet and bathrooms when this is necessary and appropriate

· Assist residents/older adults on bedpans or commodes

· Attend to residents/older adults post elimination hygiene needs and promote good hand washing.

· Assist the resident/older client with incontinence wear as required.

· Measure and record volume of urine eliminated as directed by nursing staff and ensure residents/older adults are not left in this position longer than necessary.

· Attend to resident/older adult’s post-elimination hygiene needs.

· Assist in the promotion of continence.

· Assist residents/older adults to the bathroom as required

· Assist in the care of the incontinent resident/older adult, as directed by nursing staff.

· Record bowel elimination using the Bristol Stool Score

· Empty urinary drainage bags record/report volume, colour, odour and any abnormalities as appropriate

· Dispose of used sputum containers and report any abnormalities or changes, as appropriate. Strictly adhere to the universal precautions identified in the infection control policy so as to prevent spread of infection when dealing with human waste products

Personal Cleansing and Dressing:

The Health Care Assistant contributes to resident/older adult’s comfort and the maintenance of their personal dignity by assisting them, when necessary with personal cleansing/intimate care and dressing activities.

These may include;

· Bed-bathing or assisting the resident/older client to shower/bathe in accordance with the resident/older adult’s needs, wishes and consent.

· Observe the resident/older adult’s skin condition and document/report any abnormalities/changes to nursing staff

· Assisting with or performing oral care

· Shaving residents/older adults when necessary

· Assist the resident/older adults with their oral hygiene, as per care plan

· Caring for residents/older adults hair and finger-nails as needed

· Helping residents/older adults to dress and groom according to their wishes

Controlling Body Temperature:

People’s comfort and indeed survival depend on their body temperature being maintained within a normal range. The HealthCare Assistant will assist in maintaining resident/older adults comfort and body temperature within normal ranges in the following ways;

· Offering extra blankets or removing them as requested by the resident/older adult or nursing staff

· Taking and recording resident/older adult’s temperature, as directed by the nurse and report accordingly. Required training must be completed.

· All changes in the resident/older adult’s temperature or condition and any subsequent interventions must be immediately reported to the nurse to alert the possibility of deterioration in the resident/older adult’s medical condition

Mobilising:

The Healthcare Assistant will, in accordance with the care plan, assist residents/older adults to maintain or regain their independence by assisting them to mobilise in the following ways;

· Promote independence with mobilising, as appropriate

· Provide residents/older adults with the aids that have been provided to enhance opportunities for mobility in consultation with the nursing staff.

· Assist residents/older adults with walking when it is appropriate, in line with their moving and handling assessment

· Position residents/older adults comfortably and in a manner that enables mobility either in bed or on a chair

· Assist with repositioning the resident/older adult when in bed

· Assist residents/older adults with aids that enhance opportunities for mobility

· Participate in moving or handling residents/older adults as directed by nursing staff and according to moving and handling policy

· Report all falls, near misses or other untoward events to the nursing staff and record in the National Incident Reporting Form (NIRF).

End of Life Care:

Addressing issues relating to death and dying constitutes an important part of the Health Care Assistant role. This may include;

· Establishing a quiet, comfortable and dignified environment for the dying person and family members to share

· Listening with respect and with empathy to relatives

· Providing comforting and refreshing drinks or snacks to relatives who may be spending long periods both day and night with their dying family member.

· Providing comfort measures for the resident/older adult as directed by the nursing staff. These may include frequent small sips of fluid, or adjusting pillows or bedclothes or sitting with the resident/older adult, where required.

· Assisting with the preparation of the resident/older adult’s remains for its removal to the mortuary

· Organisation of the deceased person’s belongings for their return to the family in line with local policy and procedures.

Collaboration in Other care /care area Activities

The efficiency and effectiveness with which a care provider can meet the needs of its residents/older adults depends on how well all the staff work together as a team. The Health Care Assistant is a key member of the care team, and may be requested to undertake some activities that are indirectly related to resident/older adult care.

They may include:

· Working as part of multidisciplinary team and contribute to the development of care plans.

· Taking and recording of residents/older adults clinical observations as directed by the nurse, and reporting abnormalities as per training and delegation.

· Assisting the nurse in the provision of quality nursing service.

· Accepting guidance and assisting the nurse in duties associated with the delivery of care and management of the environment and other support duties as appropriate.

· Support the implementation and evaluation of quality standards and improvement initiatives

· Checking care /care area stocks and listing those that need reordering

· Restocking as required

· Maintaining orderly storage of supplies

· Delivering specimens as required

· Provide and participate in meaningful activities to the residents/older adults, document these, find out what is important to the residents/older adults

· Provide individualised and group activities

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

[1] This was agreed upon at the HCA Programme Oversight Group meeting (August 2023).

In the absence of dedicated cleaning staff, be prepared to assist as necessary in cleaning of the service area, as identified by local management. This should include, where required, cleaning of equipment, bed making and dealing with linen etc.

[2]This was agreed at the HCA Programme Oversight Group meeting(Jan 2023), based on the following 3 considerations

i. Compassionate Care

ii. As appropriate to care model & settings.

iii. Assist/shared responsibility of all staff involved in resident/client care

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