Job Description
Job Title: Health Care Assistant
Department: Surgical Day Unit
Reports to: Nurse Manager
Date 2026
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 provide technical assistance and supportive patient care to meet the needs of individual patients throughout assigned areas.
Key Responsibilities and Deliverables
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Assists with patient activities and care as assigned by the Nurse Manager/Clinical Co-Coordinator.
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Ambulates, positions and turns patients, and cares for the patient with altered mobility.
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Assists with patient safety related to age and condition: Assists with patient specific safety precautions, collects, reports and documents data related to patient needs/emergencies and usual 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, 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, including stock taking and ordering or medical equipment.
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Performs or assists others to perform proper aseptic techniques, isolation procedures and infection control measures.
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Adheres to internal controls established for the department.
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Performs related duties as required.
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The timely identification and communication of any issues and complaints to the Nurse Manager or Clinical Co-Coordinator.
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Demonstrate a confidence or competence in all hospital policies and guidelines.
Clinical Responsibilities:
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The patient's needs are individually assessed.
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The patient's families/significant others are involved as appropriate.
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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 the Patients with Impaired Mobility and escort Patient to another department when needed.
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Perform ECG & Vitals after receiving training and deemed as competent.
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Assist patients to provide microbiology samples.
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Perform phlebotomy after receiving training and deemed as competent.
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Send specimen to Lab according to the instruction of Nurse.
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Provide admin support to the clinic according to the instruction of Nurse Manger.
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Order and maintain adequate stocks/supplies for the clinic.
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Liaise with other hospital departments on behalf of clinic/patient.
Personal/Professional Responsibilities:
The post holder is expected to:
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Attend in a timely manner all mandatory education sessions.
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Ensure their professional and personal persona positively reflects Beacon Hospital.
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Attend appropriate study days/courses.
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Participate in their performance review with their Nurse Manager.
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Utilise effective time management skills.
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Maintain professional appearance and dress code.
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Comply with guidelines for absence or tardiness.
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Attend staff meetings, reads all work-related email and other postings.
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All employees are expected to remain flexible to meet the needs of the hospital, which may include floating to other departments to assist as the patient needs fluctuate.
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Wear Uniform and Identification Badge when working.
Person Specification
Qualifications
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Leaving Certificate or equivalent.
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Completion of an approved course for FETAC QQI qualification in Health Care Assistants (all 8 modules) or an equivalent Nursing Qualification is required.
Experience
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Previous Health Care experience preferred.
Job Specific Competencies and Knowledge
Teamwork
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Demonstrate ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
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Demonstrate motivation and a proactive approach to the job.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
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Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.
Planning and Organising
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Demonstrate evidence of effective planning, organising and time management skills.
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Demonstrate flexible approach - to internal rotations, rostering, e.g. night duty, theatre on call, attitude to work.
Knowledge
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Demonstrate evidence of recent and relevant experience in an acute hospital setting.
Patient/Customer Focus
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Demonstrate a focus on quality.
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Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathies 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.
