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
(Specified Purpose Contract) - Health Care Assistant
Salary Scale for Position €36,288 - €45,484
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 associated duties. The HCA also works with the other members of the Interdisciplinary Care team such as Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Activities staff, etc.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or experience
Candidates must have at the closing date for receipt of applications, hold:
(a) (i) The Care of the Older person Health Skills Fetec Level 5 qualification
(all modules completed)
Or
(ii) A relevant healthcare qualification
And
(b) Candidates must have the personal competence and capacity to properly discharge the duties of the role.
Health
A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
With regard to Criterion (i), the listing below has been identified as what is considered relevant health skills QQI (formerly FETAC) Level 5* qualifications.
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
(A full QQI/FETAC 5 Major award requires a minimum of 120 credits/8 Modules - Please note a Component Certificate will not suffice.)
Other requirements specific to the post
Good standard of literacy
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
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The person holding this post is required to support the principle that the care of the resident comes first at all times and will approach their work with the flexibility and enthusiasm necessary to make this principle a reality for every patient to the greatest possible degree
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Maintain throughout the Service awareness of the primacy of the person in relation to all unit/hospital activities.
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Performance management systems are part of role and you will be required to participate in the hospital's performance management programme
In the context of the overall care delivery programme, the role and responsibilities include the following:
Maintaining a Safe Environment:
The Health Care Assistant will assist in maintaining a safe environment for residents, service users, visitors and staff.
Be knowledgeable of the contents of the Hospital Health and Safety Statement.
Be familiar with and comply with Hospital policies i.e. Health & Safety, Safety Statements, Fire, National Standards Authority I.S. 343 Food Safety Management (incorporating HACCP), Infection Control, Waste Disposal, Needle Stick Injury, Smoking Policy, Moving and Handling Policy.
Be knowledgeable of the procedure in the event of a fire in the unit/ hospital.
Practice and promote best practice regarding hygiene including hand-washing.
Assist in keeping all areas clean and tidy.
Move, or assist in moving equipment and furniture as necessary.
Washing and making up occupied and unoccupied beds.
Returning trays and equipment to proper storage.
Attending to the hygiene of equipment such as I.V. stands, hoists, beds, resident chairs, commodes and other equipment.
Attend to spillages by isolating and dealing with them as quickly as possible in order to prevent accidents.
Assist in the disposal of clinical waste according to policy.
Assist residents's mobility safely within the unit/hospital.
Escort/transfer residents as required.
Prepare unit and bed areas for the reception of new residents.
Assist with the safe keeping of resident's personal property.
Report broken or unsafe equipment needing repair / replacement.
Sort soiled laundry and prepare for collection.
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Sort and store clean laundry.
- Check on residents and record these checks as set out in the residents care plan
Communication:
Effective communication is a valuable social attribute and a core skill. The Health Care Assistant will:
Assist in maintaining a physical environment that communicates peace, safety, comfort, for residents and their families.
Communicate openly with the nursing staff regarding residents and relatives needs.
Direct all inquiries regarding a resident's condition, both telephone and verbal enquires to a member of the nursing staff.
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The Health Care Assistant is obliged to maintain confidentiality. This applies to information accessed through interactions with residents and their relatives or through interactions with other staff. However there is also an obligation to report to the staff nurse, or other relevant authority, any information that may indicate the potential risk to any person.
Resident Care:
Breathing:
The Health Care Assistant will assist nursing staff in maintaining residents adequate breathing. Required to:
Recognise signs of distressed breathing in residents and report these to the nursing staff.
Assist with positioning the resident to reduce distress.
Locate and bring oxygen supply equipment to the bedside as requested by the nursing staff.
Position personal items such as drinks, tissues and reading materials within easy reach of the resident.
Maintain the unit in a well-ventilated condition and in the condition perceived by the resident as being most comfortable.
Eating and Drinking:
The Health Care Assistant has a significant role in ensuring that the residents dietary requirements are met. The Health Care Assistant will:
Assist residents in preparation for their meals, (for example to use toilet facilities and to wash hands before meals).
Prepare the environment by making it as aesthetically pleasant as possible by removing unnecessary items from the immediate area, (for example commodes, urinals, etc.).
Assist residents with their meals as directed and having regard to their IDDSI status.
Observe amounts of food and liquids consumed by residents who need special monitoring, and communicate outcomes to the nursing staff and record on the electronic system at time of assistance.
Making residents comfortable after their meals, (for example repositioning them for rest, offering opportunities to clean their teeth or dentures).
Encouraging residents to drink plenty of fluid, offer refreshing drinks at the correct consistency, frequently, where necessary.
Record on Epiccare the persons intake and output
Elimination:
The Health Care Assistant will:
Assist residents to use the toilet.
Supervise residents in toilets and bathrooms when necessary.
Place residents on bedpans or commodes or assist nurses in doing this.
Attend to residents' post elimination hygiene needs.
Measure volume of urinary output and record on Epiccare, as directed by nursing staff.
Empty urine drainage bags, as directed by the nursing staff.
Attend to resident's soiled personal laundry.
Adhere to the universal precautions identified in the infection control policy document.
Dressing and Personal Hygiene:
The Health Care Assistant will contribute to residents' comfort and maintenance of personal dignity by assisting them with personal hygiene. This may include:
Bed bathing residents.
Assisting residents in shower or bath.
Helping with or performing mouth care, as directed by the nurse.
Shaving residents when necessary.
Caring for residents' hair and nails as required.
Helping residents to dress and groom in accordance with their wishes.
Ensure the residents personal hygiene needs are met.
Controlling body temperature:
The Health Care Assistant will contribute to this function in the following ways:
By taking appropriate measures as instructed by the nursing staff to ensure maintenance of body temperature.
By ensuring the resident has appropriate clothing for the weather and temperature
By taking and recording the resident's temperature
Mobilising:
The Health Care Assistant will help residents to maintain or regain their independence by assisting the resident to mobilise in the following ways:
Assist residents with walking/mobilising as directed by nursing or therapy staff
Position residents comfortably and in a manner that enables movement while sitting in a chair.
Assist with turning and positioning residents in bed.
Provide residents with aids that enhance opportunities for mobility in consultation with the nursing staff, physiotherapist.
Participate in moving and handling residents as directed and according to Moving and Handling Guidelines.
Report all falls/ near miss falls to the nursing staff and complete the NIRF
Care of Dying Resident:
The Health Care Assistant's role will include the following:
Establishing a quiet, comfortable and dignified environment for the ill/dying resident and their family members.
Listening with respect and empathy to relatives.
Providing comforting and refreshing drinks or snacks for relatives as required.
Assisting with the Last Offices and care of the body after death.
Organisation of the deceased's belongings for their return to the family.
Contribute as part of a Team:
The Health Care Assistant as a key member a team may be requested to undertake other activities which help in the smooth running of the Unit. These may include:
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Contribute to and attend at IDT meetings
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Delivering specimens as directed.
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Checking stocks and listing those that need recording, i.e. continence wear.
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Maintaining orderly storage of supplies.
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Storing resident's belongings in an appropriate manner in accordance with unit/hospital policy.
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Preparing special drinks / snacks for residents.
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Report to the nursing staff, any requests from residents or relatives.
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Report to the nursing staff, any complaints of pain, distress and/or other concerns expressed by resident.
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Undertake training and development of further skills as directed by the Director of Nursing / Designated Officer.
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The Unit Manager may request other appropriate tasks to be undertaken to meet unit and other resident care needs.
Risk Management, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety
The management of Risk, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment.
The post holder must be familiar with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility.
The post holder has a duty to familiarise themselves with the relevant Hospital Policies, Procedures & Standards and attend training as appropriate in the following areas:
o Quality Improvement Initiatives
o Risk Management Strategy and Policies
o Hygiene Related Policies, Procedures and Standards
o Infection Control Policies
o Safety Statement, Health & Safety Policies and Fire Procedure
o Data Protection and confidentiality Policies
o Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults
Leopardstown Park Hospital is an equal opportunities employer.
Closing date for applications is 17th June 2026 @ 4pm
A full Job Description is available on request
