Health Care Assistant Full Time

Details of Service

Leopardstown Park Hospital is a registered centre for the provision of services to older people. It provides Day services and Long-Term Care, situated in South Co. Dublin. It was established in 1917 and continues to provide interdisciplinary services on a seven-day, twenty-four-hour basis. It is currently registered for 120 long stay beds.

Permanent Post (Full Time) - Health Care Assistant

Salary Scale for Position €35,788 - €44,984

Reporting Relationship

The post holder will report to the CNM or deputy or other manager as appropriate.

Purpose of the Post

The role of the Health Care Assistant is to support nursing staff in the delivery of care to the resident under the supervision of the Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM2/CNM1) and Registered Nurses. The primary role is to assist Registered Nurses with direct and indirect patient care and to work with the interdisciplinary care team (Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Activities staff, etc.).

Qualifications and/or experience

Candidates must hold at the closing date for receipt of applications:

• The Care of the Older Person Health Skills Fetec Level 5 qualification (all modules completed)
• Or a relevant healthcare qualification
• And the personal competence and capacity to discharge the duties of the role

Health

A candidate must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health indicating a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

With regard to the health skills, the following QQI Level 5 qualifications are relevant:

• QQI Level 5 Healthcare Support
• QQI Level 5 Nursing Studies
• QQI Level 5 Community Care
• QQI Level 5 Health Service Skills
• QQI Level 5 Community Health Services

Other requirements specific to the post

Good standard of literacy

• Support the principle that the care of the resident comes first at all times and approach work with flexibility and enthusiasm to uphold this principle for every patient.
• Maintain awareness of the primacy of the person in relation to all unit/hospital activities.
• Participate in the hospital's performance management programme.

In the context of the overall care delivery programme, the role includes the following:

• Assist in maintaining a safe environment for residents, service users, visitors and staff.
• Be knowledgeable of the Hospital Health and Safety Statement and comply with policies (Health & Safety, Safety Statements, Fire, HACCP, Infection Control, Waste Disposal, Needle Stick Injury, Smoking Policy, Moving and Handling Policy).
• Be familiar with fire procedures and promote hygiene best practices (hand-washing).
• Keep areas clean and tidy, move equipment as necessary, make/unmake beds, return trays and equipment to storage, attend to hygiene of equipment.
• Assist in the disposal of clinical waste and assist with residents' mobility and transfers as required.
• Prepare unit and bed areas for new residents and assist with keeping personal property secure.
• Report broken/unsafe equipment; sort/store clean/soiled laundry and check residents as per care plan.

Communication

• Maintain open communication with nursing staff regarding residents and relatives' needs; direct inquiries to nursing staff.
• Maintain confidentiality and report information indicating potential risk to any person to the staff nurse or relevant authority.

Resident Care

• Assist with breathing, eating and drinking, elimination, dressing and personal hygiene, temperature control, and mobilising as directed by nursing/therapy staff.
• Recognise signs of distress, assist with positioning, provide meals and monitor intake/output (Epiccare) and report when needed.
• Assist with personal hygiene, grooming, and dignity, including bed baths, showers, denture care, and dressing.
• Assist with moving and handling, report falls/near misses (NIRF), and use mobility aids as directed.
• Support care of dying residents, including creating a quiet environment and assisting with Last Offices and belongings handling.

Contribute as part of a Team

• Attend IDT meetings, deliver specimens as directed, check stocks, maintain storage of supplies, and report requests/concerns to nursing staff.
• Undertake training and development as directed by the Director of Nursing/Designated Officer.
• Other appropriate tasks as required to meet unit/resident care needs.

Risk Management, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety

The management of these areas is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved in a progressive, honest and open environment. Staff must familiarise themselves with policies and attend appropriate training (Quality Improvement Initiatives, Risk Management, Hygiene, Infection Control, Safety, Data Protection, Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults).

Equal Opportunities

Leopardstown Park Hospital is an equal opportunities employer.

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 17th September 2025

A full Job Description is available on request