Job Description
Job Title: Health Care Assistant / Decontamination Technician (Maternity Contract)
Department: Endoscopy Unit
Reports to: Endoscopy manager
Date: 2026
PLEASE NOTE: Currently recruiting for A Permanent and Fixed Term Contract positions
Overall Purpose of Job
We will provide exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the centre of all we do.
The Health Care Assistant's role is to support clinical staff (Medical and Nursing) to provide care and assistance to patients to ensure that exceptional patient care is delivered.
Decontamination Role is to ensure that scopes are decontaminated in accordance with the hospital and HSE guidelines, polices and processes within the working area. Ensuring high levels of Infection Control protocols are adhered too.
Co-ordinate and organization of endoscopes required for endoscopy procedure rooms and other hospital areas.
Order supplies for the Decontamination of Equipment.
Day to day Responsibilities and Deliverables
Decontamination Technician
- Demonstrating knowledge and ensure implementation of Hospital policies, specifically relating to the decontamination of endoscopes and equipment within the department.
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Demonstrate knowledge of national / European Decontamination standards and guidelines.
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Setup Endoscopes at the start of each day, start the preparation of the cleaning process.
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Daily face to face communication with nursing staff, and other endoscopy technicians.
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Prepare scopes for the scheduled day.
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Ensure appropriate stock levels of cleaning materials are available within the washroom.
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Carry out regular checks and maintenance on scopes: Both daily and weekly checks.
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Water Sampling
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Patency Tests
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Scope Wiping
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Scope Buffing
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Protein Tests
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Clean Drying Cabinet
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Inspect scope buttons for damages
- Ensure the scopes are properly maintained once the procedure is finished.
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Always ware correct PPE.
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Leak test every used scope.
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Manual cleaning of endoscope.
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Process scope in Washer Disinfector.
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Place a scope in Drying Cabinet at the end of decontamination process if not being used.
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Ensure all scopes are stored correctly.
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Maintenance of Scopes and following procedure for returning scopes if damaged.
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Communicate any shortages or breakages of endoscopes or other equipment to the senior nurse or unit manager.
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Maintain a safe and clean working environment which will ensure the highest clinical standards within the area.
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Maintain scope traceability through electronic system.
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Consult with Clinical Engineer, Olympus or manufacturer of decontamination equipment when required.
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Take specimens to the Laboratory, adhering to hospital protocol.
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Carry out equipment monitoring and ensure service requests are made and take place, with follow-up.
HCA
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Assists with patient activities and care as assigned by the Nurse Manager, Clinical Coordinator or nurse in change as indicated by the patient's plan of care.
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Ambulates, positions and turns patients as well as caring for patients with altered mobility.
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Assists with patient safety related to age and condition.
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Assists with patient specific safety precautions, collects, reports and documents data related to patient needs, emergencies and unusual patient and family behaviour, and cares for the patient from a correctional environment.
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Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality of information and records at all times.
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Provides and maintains a clean, safe environment and performs and/or assists others to perform proper aseptic technique, isolation procedures, and infection control measures
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Maintains patient care areas with appropriate supplies.
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Performs techniques and routines in the specialty service area.
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Performs or assists others to perform proper isolation procedures and infection control measures.
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Adheres to internal controls established for department.
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Patients are cared for in the optimum clinical environment, adhering to all hospital wide policies and guidelines.
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Assist with the turnaround of procedure rooms between patients (transfer patients to recovery area on trollies and changing of the scope from the stack system).
The post holder will ensure:
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Self-motivated with an ability to prioritize work load.
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Report any incidents or complaints to Decontamination Manager, Team leader and nurse manager.
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To actively encourage good practice and personal development.
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The post holder will partake in the Total Quality Management processes thereby contributing to:
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Accept responsibility; be aware and able to locate all local and Hospital policies related to good working practice within the clinical area.
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Adheres to internal controls established for department.
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The timely identification and communication of any issues to the Nurse Manager, Clinical Co-Coordinator or Nurse in charge.
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Participate in Unit and hospital communication processes {unit meeting, staff forums and so forth}
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The evaluation of current practices to best practice.
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The setting of standards utilising structure, process and outcome.
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All hospital, regional and national audit processes.
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The Hospital Wide Accreditation Cycle.
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Health Promotion initiatives.
Personal and Professional Responsibilities:
The post holder is expected to
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Attend all mandatory education sessions
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Attend appropriate study days/courses.
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Work 39 Hours per week, flexible working hours to suit the needs of the unit.
Person Specification
Qualifications
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Completion of an approved course for Health Care Assistants is required. FETAC QQI in Health Care Support (all 8 modules or equivalent) or an equivalent Nursing qualification
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Decontamination training course preferred.
Experience
- Previous Endoscopy technician experience preferred.
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Previous HCA experience preferred.
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Knowledge of Wassenburg or experience working with Wassenburg equipment preferable
Job Specific
Competencies and Knowledge
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Clinical Competencies
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Demonstrate competence in the duties outlined in the responsibilities and deliverables above.
Teamwork
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Demonstrate ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
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Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.
Knowledge
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Demonstrate evidence of recent and relevant experience in the specialised area and in an acute hospital setting.
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Demonstrate knowledge of new developments in specialised area.
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Demonstrate knowledge of national strategies where appropriate to nursing care
Patient and Customer Focus
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Demonstrate a focus on quality
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Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect.
Personal Competencies
All posts in Beacon Hospital require a high level of flexibility to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient service. Therefore, the post holder will be required to demonstrate flexibility as and when required by their manager or hospital management.
This job description is intended to be an outline of the areas of responsibility and deliverables at the time of its writing. As the Hospital and the post holder develop, this job description may be subject to review in light of the changing needs of the Hospital.
