Health Care Assistant (HCA)

St. Patrick's Mental Health Services; Dublin; On-site; EUR 37,000 - 43,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

19 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Ongoing training

Paid study leave & funding

Career development support

Canteen & onsite gym

Bike to Work & TaxSaver

Job summary

St Patrick's Mental Health Services is seeking a Health Care Assistant (HCA) to support admissions, group activities, and recreational therapy within a large mental health setting in Dublin. The role includes escorting service users to sessions, facilitating activities, and occasional driving duties with a hospital vehicle.

The position is 0.71 WTE on a permanent contract, with a competitive salary and benefits package.

Qualifications

• Hold a minimum FETAC Level 5 qualification (or equivalent) in a healthcare-related discipline.
• Be aged 23–69 years to meet insurance eligibility criteria.
• Demonstrate ability to facilitate a variety of group activities, including task-based and meditation-focused groups.
• Experience in inpatient mental health settings and multidisciplinary teams is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Welcome Service Users in Admissions and provide a supportive point of contact.
• Accompany Service Users to consultants’ offices, group sessions and activity rooms.
• Lead/assist with therapy garden walks and structured group activities.
• Drive hospital van in line with road safety and organisational policies.
• Support Occupational Therapy and Day programmes activities and sessions.

Skills

FETAC Level 5

Driving licence B

Group activities facilitation

Inpatient mental health experience

MS Office (MS Teams, Outlook)

Education

FETAC Level 5 healthcare qualification

Tools

MS Teams

Outlook

Job description

Health Care Assistant (HCA)

0.71WTE, Permanent Contract - 55 hours/fortnight

The Healthcare Assistant (HCA) role is a non-traditional position involving both individual and group interaction with service users. HCAs are primarily responsible for cleaning clinical equipment and for delivering and supporting group activities as part of the organisation’s Recreational Activity Programme. These recreational activities form a component of service provision and are required by the Mental Health Commission to promote service users’ wellbeing, engagement, and recovery. The role also includes accompanying service users, facilitating group sessions, and assisting with service user-focused events within SPMHS, as detailed in the job description. As part of the role requirements, the successful candidate will be rostered to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Given the significant group facilitation component of this role, candidates invited for interview will be required to deliver a 7-minute group activity of their choosing with the interview panel. Applications are welcome from anyone who holds requisite qualifications. The successful applicant must:

• Hold a minimum FETAC Level 5 qualification (or equivalent) in a healthcare-related discipline, with proof of certification required
• Possess a full, clean Category B driving licence and demonstrate willingness to drive a hospital vehicle as part of the role
• Be aged 23–69 years to meet insurance eligibility criteria
• Demonstrate the ability to facilitate a variety of group activities, including but not limited to task-based and meditation-focused groups, delivered both in person and via virtual platforms
• Be competent in the Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Teams and Outlook
• Have experience working within an inpatient mental health setting and collaborating with a multidisciplinary healthcare team (highly desirable)

Panels may be formed from which future positions may be filled

St Patrick's Mental Health Services is an equal opportunities employee

Please note that while we seldom work with recruitment agencies, on the rare occasions we specify that we will accept CVs from recruitment agencies, it is only from those who engage in ethical practice. We do not expect recruitment agencies to charge candidates for placements, and do not condone this behaviour as it is not accepted practice.

Job Description

About the organisation

St Patrick's Mental Health Services (SPMHS) is Ireland's largest independent, not-for-profit mental health service. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality mental healthcare, to promoting mental health awareness, and to advocating for the rights of those experiencing mental health difficulties. We employ over 700 staff across our services. We hold our staff in high esteem and regard them as our most important asset, enabling us to fulfil our mission. We strive to create and maintain a forward-looking environment where our staff can be innovative and experience satisfaction in their work. We are committed to ensuring the ongoing development of our staff.

SPMHS core values

• Human Rights – supporting dignity, choice and voice
• Quality Care – excellence in service delivery and collaboration
• Innovation – encouraging improvement and new ideas

The benefits

By joining us, you become part of Ireland’s largest independent, not-for-profit mental health service provider, bringing you many strong career opportunities. We offer you many employee benefits, including:

• A competitive salary range: €37,386 - €42,926
• 19 days annual leave
• Pension scheme
• Ongoing training
• Paid study leave and funding for further education
• Support for career advancement and professional development
• A subsidised canteen and onsite gym
• Bike to Work and TaxSaver Commuter Ticket schemes

Location

St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, James’s Street, Dublin 8, incorporating St Patrick’s Lucan, Willow Grove Adolescent Unit, the Dean Clinics, and other services operated by St Patrick’s Mental Health Services.

Responsibilities

Front of House Duties

• Welcome Service Users in Admissions, providing a supportive point of contact
• Offer refreshments (tea/coffee) during admission
• Orient Service Users to key facilities (toilets, water access)
• Accompany Service Users to consultants’ offices, group sessions, and activity rooms
• Accompany Service Users on therapeutic garden walks as per care plans
• Support Service User visits to ensure a positive experience

Events Duties

• Support Service User–focused events in collaboration with Occupational Therapy, Communications, Social Work, and other departments
• Assist with preparation, support and delivery of hospital art exhibitions including the Service User art exhibition.
• Contribute to organisational events (e.g. Tree Decorating Party, First Fortnight, Family Day)

Orientation Duties

• Facilitate hospital orientation tours (SPUH/SPL)
• Provide information sessions on the Service User Information Booklet and supports available
• Assist Service Users with:
  • Completing forms
  • Accessing information booklets
  • Navigation within the hospital
  • Practical queries (e.g. phone credit)

Exercise Facilitation

• Lead and support daily structured group walks (up to three per day) within hospital grounds and the community, aligned with therapeutic goals

Service User Transfer Duties

• Participate in rota for transferring Service Users to/from St Patrick’s Hospital, Lucan
• Drive hospital van in line with road safety, health & safety, and organisational policies

Occupational Therapy & Activity Duties

• Support & Facilitate Service Users in Day programmes (e.g. Pathways, Eating Disorder Programme)
• Facilitate/co-facilitate relaxation and meditation sessions (in-person and virtual)
• Maintain therapy spaces (Music Room, Library, Occupational Therapy Kitchen, Garden); report issues promptly
• Manage Occupational Therapy supplies, equipment, and inventory (including garden/Shomera)
• Orient Service Users to the Music Room and maintain referral records
• Maintain and oversee the Service User Garden, including activities, facilitating and supporting gardening groups and pet visits
• Supervise designated areas (e.g. Garden, Pool Room) for safe use and in line with organization policy/procedures
• Maintain Service User Library and manage book donations
• Assist in Occupational Therapy, art, craft, kitchen, and pottery sessions as required
• Support development of new initiatives
• Facilitate evening and virtual activities (Microsoft Teams)
• Provide activities across wards as required (e.g. Vanessa Ward, Dean Swift Ward/Special Care)
• Facilitate a range of recreational activity groups (arts, games, baking, mindfulness, etc.)
• Set up/support sessions with external facilitators (in-person/virtual)
• Complete clear shift handovers (verbal/written)
• Set up and restore activities rooms, including equipment and materials. This may include stacking chairs, moving podium and hybrid screen
• Any other duties as operationally required and directed by the Head of Occupational therapy

Cleaning of Clinical Equipment

• Clean clinical equipment in line with SOPs, infection control, and local policies
• Report faulty, missing, or defective equipment to OT Manager or CNM

This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties. The person appointed may be required to perform other duties as appropriate which may be assigned to them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the position. The person appointed will be assigned specific targets in terms of tasks and productivity.

Person specification

Qualifications and/or experience

• Hold a minimum FETAC Level 5 qualification (or equivalent) in a healthcare-related discipline, with proof of certification required
• Possess a full, clean Category B driving licence and demonstrate willingness to drive a hospital vehicle as part of the role
• Be aged 23–69 years to meet insurance eligibility criteria
• Demonstrate the ability to facilitate a variety of group activities, including but not limited to task-based and meditation-focused groups, delivered both in person and via virtual platforms
• Have experience working within an inpatient mental health setting and collaborating with a multidisciplinary healthcare team (highly desirable)
• Be competent in the Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Teams and Outlook

Professional knowledge, competencies, and skills

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

• Facilitate group sessions using structured activities and interventions to achieve shared goals
• Provide clear end-of-shift handovers (verbal/written) to ensure continuity of care
• Demonstrate knowledge of hospital departments, roles, and functions
• Show awareness of the Mental Health Commission and relevant inspection frameworks
• Align with hospital strategy and values
• Engage effectively with diverse Service Users, both individually and in groups
• Communicate with empathy, professionalism, in a clear and professional manner using appropriate boundaries
• Demonstrate kindness, patience, and a non-judgemental approach
• Maintain strong verbal and written communication skills and have excellent organisational, administrative and IT Skills.
• Report and document incidents in line with policies
• Demonstrate problem-solving, initiative, and decision-making skills
• Work effectively under pressure, prioritising tasks and maintaining resilience
• Collaborate positively within a multidisciplinary team
• Follow direction and work independently when required in line with organisational policy and frameworks

Please note all above criteria are essential unless otherwise noted.

Terms and Conditions

Tenure: 0.71 WTE, Permanent Contract

Working Week: The standard hours for this position are 55 hours/fortnight.

Salary: The salary for the position is based on the Health Care Assistant (HCA) 2026 pay scale, €37,386-€42,926 and is commensurate with experience.

Annual Leave The annual leave associated with the position is 19 days.

Pension: All pensionable staff become members of the pension scheme upon commencement of employment. The scheme is a defined contribution scheme with a deduction from the salary of the employee of 4%. In respect of an internal appointment being made the individuals existing pension arrangements will continue.

Probation: The appointee will be appointed in a probationary capacity for the first six months during which time the job holder’s performance will be subject to ongoing review. Any extension to or suspension of the period of probation will be in line with the European Union (Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions) 2022.

Health: The appointee must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the position and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character: The appointee must be of good character.

Retirement Age: Normal retirement age for employees is 66 years which at present is also normal pension age.