Job Descriptions
Purpose of the Post
To enhance quality of life and
wellbeing for primarily older people by providing access to integrated care and
support that is planned around their needs and choices, supporting them to live
well in their own homes and communities.
The Health Care Support Assistant
(HCSA) is a key member of the multi-disciplinary team responsible for the
provision of a quality service to support people in the community to remain in
their own home for as long as possible.
The HCSA provides the assistance,
support and direct personal care required to maximise the independence and
wellbeing of service users. They work
under delegation, direction and supervision, of health care professionals: -
- To look after the physical, emotional, cultural and
psychosocial needs of service users using a person centred approach
- To observe and promote service user’s choice,
independence, dignity, privacy, fulfilment and other rights
- To create and maintain good professional relationships
with service user’s, their carer, family and friends and other team
members
- To adhere to all Health Service Executive policies,
procedures and guidelines.
To promote a positive, personal and professional
profile, ensuring the good reputation of the HSE at all times.
Principal Duties and
Responsibilities
Service users may require assistance
in some or all activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of
daily living (IADLs) as identified by an individualised care needs assessment.
The primary role of the Health Care Support Assistant is to assist in the
implementation of the service user’s individual care plan.
Duties will vary depending on the
assessed needs of the service user and may include the following functions:
Care Provision
- To provide personal care and support to service users
with a wide range of assessed needs, illnesses and disabilities.
- To know and understand the care and support needs of
the service user.
- To deliver the care
detailed in the service user’s care plan using a person centred enabling
approach.
- To assist service
users with the activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental
activities of daily living (IADLs) as indicated by the service user’s care
plan, including but not limited to:
- Personal care and hygiene e.g. bathing, dressing and
showering.
- Maintain skin integrity.
- Assist with continence care.
- Assist with mobility and exercise programmes, as
directed by the service user’s care plan.
- Provide medication prompts as directed by the service
user’s care plan.
- Assist with eating and drinking.
- To support the service user’s social needs as well as
physical care needs as set out in the individual care plan i.e. supporting
participation in meaningful social activities including: maintaining
interests, hobbies, and roles that are important to the person.
On occasion accompany the service user in activities
outside of the home where such assistance is central to improving or
maintaining function, independence and wellbeing as directed by the service
user’s care plan.
- Domestic cleaning specific to service user as directed
by the Home Support Resource Manager where non-performance of such duties
impacts on the health & safety and well-being of the individual. The
HCSA will, where appropriate, assist the person with these tasks i.e.
‘doing with’ rather than ‘doing for’ where such assistance is central to
improving or maintaining function, independence and wellbeing for the
service user.
General
- To work as part of the multi-disciplinary team in
order to deliver Home Support Services.
- To provide the highest quality care by delivering
support in a manner which is sensitive to the service user’s culture,
disability, race, age, sexuality, marital or civil partnership status,
transgender status or religion/belief.
- Be courteous and helpful to service users and their
carer’s at all times ensuring respect for each person’s dignity,
confidentiality and individuality.
Recording and Reporting
- To complete and
maintain a daily work schedule as part of the overall care plan.
- To maintain appropriate records to meet the needs of
the service, observing and promptly reporting back any changes or concerns
in the service user’s circumstances or condition.
- To regularly read care and support plans,
acknowledging changes.
- To continue to monitor where concerns have been
reported and recorded.
- To recognise the signs of abuse and immediately report
abuse or suspected abuse.
- To report any complaints to their line manager
To ensure that timesheets are accurate and submitted on
time.
Communication
and Team Work:
- Ensure all actions support the enhancement of a
person-centred service and a personal-centred culture within the team.
- Maintain good communication and develop effective
working relationships with service users, carers and other team members.
- Communicate effectively with service users taking into
account their differing levels of ability to understand and their specific
care needs and condition.
- Report to the line manager any changes in the service
user’s physical and emotional condition or behaviour.
- Participate in and contribute to the team including
handovers/meetings/care planning on service related issues.
- Co-operate with quality reviews/service evaluations
and assist with the implementation of any necessary corrective action.
- Respect diversity within the team.
Eligibility
Criteria Qualifications and/ or experience
Candidates must, on the latest date
for receiving completed application forms for the office possess:
1. Qualification
- Certificate in Healthcare
Support at QQI Level 5
OR
- Certificate in Health Service
Skills, QQI Level 5
OR
- Certificate in Community Care,
QQI Level 5
OR
- Certificate in Nursing Studies,
QQI Level 5
OR
- An equivalent qualification
from another jurisdiction.
And
The requisite knowledge and ability to
enable him/her to discharge the duties of the post satisfactorily.
Post Specific
Requirements
- Experience in a
caring role in an informal/formal setting
- This role will involve travel, access to suitable
personal transport to allow the proper discharge of the duties of the post
is a requirement for the role.
Skills, competencies
and/or knowledge
Knowledge & Experience
Demonstrates:
- Knowledge of the service provided in the home by Home
Support Services.
- Knowledge of community care services.
- Knowledge of the role of the Home Care Support
Assistant in the community.
- Knowledge of care of the older person.
- Knowledge of care of persons with disabilities.
- Experience of housekeeping/cooking.
- Experience in a caring role in an informal/formal
setting
- Shows awareness for actual and potential risk in the
work place
- Demonstrates knowledge of health and safety procedures
e.g. manual handling, PPE and infection control.
- A full understanding of the importance of
confidentiality in the role
Teamwork Skills
Demonstrates:
- The ability to work on one’s own initiative as well as
work with a wider multidisciplinary/multi-agency team
- Ability to work in a challenging and busy
environment
- Motivation and an innovative approach to the job
within a changing working environment
Commitment to providing a Quality Service
Demonstrates:
- Demonstrates ability to work in a client focused
environment.
- Demonstrate basic management skills to maintain clean
equipment and to maintain a clean and tidy environment.
- Demonstrates the ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Demonstrates evidence of empathy and the ability to
ensure that all service users are treated with dignity and respect and
ensure that the welfare of the service user is a key consideration at all
times.
- Demonstrates the ability to use sound practical
judgement and decisiveness.
- Demonstrate understanding of the service user’s
diversity, cultural and ethnic needs
- Demonstrates a kind, caring disposition and an
understanding of the impact of stress on clients, families and carers
during illness.
- Motivation to fulfil the role and contribute to
improving the service.
A core belief in and passion for the provision of high
quality care
Planning and Organising Skills
Demonstrates:
- An ability to plan and complete tasks allocated and to
organise workload in a methodical manner
- The ability to manage competing or unexpected demands
and prioritise the most important task at the time.
- Ability to plan and complete care allocated in the
care plan and to organise workload in a methodical manner and deal with
the unexpected should it arise
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
Demonstrates:
- Excellent communication skills to engage with clients,
families, carers, and colleagues and maintain the confidentiality of the
service.
The ability to understand and communicate effectively
with clients who may have communication difficulties
Remuneration
The Salary scale for the post (as at
01/10/22) is :-
€31,101, €32,508, €33,990, €34,384,
€35,352, €36,188, €37,394, €38,643, €39,939
(pro rata where hours worked are less
than 39hrs per week)
New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point
of the scale. Incremental credit will be
applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of
Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental
credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in
the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and other Public Service
Bodies and Statutory Agencies.
