Healthcare Assistant

FHLB Des Moines; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Bon Secours Health System in Ireland seeks a Healthcare Assistant to support the nursing team in delivering compassionate patient care under supervision. The role emphasizes teamwork, safety, confidentiality and high clinical standards.

You will assist with personal care, mobility, feeding, equipment transport and ward hygiene, contributing to a safe, clean and comfortable patient environment. Training and career development are provided.

Qualifications

• Leaving Certificate and good interpersonal skills.
• FETAC Level 5 qualification or equivalent is essential.
• Ability to work as part of a team in a busy hospital environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with personal care and activities of daily living.
• Support nursing staff with mobilising and transporting patients.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety of ward areas and equipment.
• Assist with meals, feeding, and toilet/commode care as directed.
• Respond to call bells and report patient needs to the Nursing Team.

Skills

Caring for patients

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

English proficiency

Confidentiality

Physical fitness

Willingness to work in healthcare

Communication skills

Education

Leaving Certificate

FETAC Level 5

Job description

Job Title: Healthcare Assistant

Reports to: Director of Nursing or nominee(s)

Purpose of the Role

The Role of the Health Care Assistant is to assist in the delivery of Patient Care under the direction and supervision of the CNM /Staff Nurse. To continue and promote Bon Secours Mission, Values and Ethos, by assisting the Nurses with patient care and its associated duties. Please note that this role may be expanded in the future (depending on the needs of the service) and the necessary training and supports will be provided.

Overall Aims of the Post

To support the clinical function of the nursing team in promoting and maintaining a high standard of individualised care for the patient and family. To take into account the physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs of patients and those close to them. To assist the Nursing team in ensuring that the patient unit is a safe, clean and comfortable environment. To carry out duties delegated and supervised by the Nursing team, ensuring that she/he does not carry out any delegated duty for which she/he does not possess the necessary knowledge and/or skill. To work in a team spirited and supportive manner.

Patient Personal Care

To assist patients, depending on patients’ ability to self-care. To assist the Nursing team to transport patients confined to wheelchair, to various departments. Assist with bed making, care of linen, patients’ toilet/commode care needs, care of the incontinent patients, distribution of drinks and meals and feeding the patients. Assist the Nursing team in giving/removing bedpans, urinals, commodes and attending to associated hygiene, disposing of excreta, urine and documenting as directed. Maintaining the confidentiality of patients and those close to them.

Mobilisation

Assist the Nursing team: In moving, and positioning, walking & exercising patients (in the prevention and care of pressure sores) as directed. When dressing and undressing patients as directed. Helping patients to undress if necessary, on admission, and to pack and dress in preparation for discharge. Escort/transport patients within and outside the Hospital.

Communication

Report to Nursing Team if patient c/o pain, or any anxiety or distress expressed by the patient. Direct telephone enquiries concerning patient to Nursing Team. Assist in the welcoming and orientation of patients and their relatives and friends to the Ward. Assist patients to make telephone calls, answer call bells promptly and report request to Nursing Team. Ensure that nurse-call bells are in working order and within the reach of the patient at all times. Report any malfunctioning equipment to appropriate personnel.

General Duties

To enhance the efficacy and clinical practice of patient care. The Health Care Assistant performs duties that enable the Nursing Team to be available for skilled patient care activities. Ensure that patients’ personal property & money valuables are securely kept in accordance with Hospital Policy. Familiarisation and compliance with Hospital Policies in relation to Health and Safety/Fire/Infection Control/Smoking/Waste Disposal/Domestic/Clinical/Body Fluids, disposal of soiled linen/use of alginate bags etc. Report all adverse occurrences involving self, patients or visitors to CNM/Nurse in charge. Have knowledge of steps to be taken in an Emergency situation and carrying out instructions as directed by Nursing Team or other appropriate personnel. Wash/disinfecting beds/chairs promptly on discharge of patient in preparation for new admissions. Cleaning equipment in wards I.V. Stands, commodes, hoists, bed cages, wheelchairs, any other equipment in use in accordance with Ward cleaning schedule. Ensure that the ward and patient care areas are tidy, including linen and equipment storage cupboards, and that ward supplies and stationery are adequate and regularly replenished. Attend to spillage’s immediately, to reduce the risk of accidents. Carry out the duties of Catering Staff in their absence e.g. make tea/coffee/light refreshments, collect trays and crockery, setting trays and ensuring patients have fresh water. Ensuring kitchen is clean and tidy after use. Carry out errands as requested or required but as directed by Nursing team. Assist with confused/agitated patients as directed by Nursing Team. Remain with patients who require custodial supervision as directed by nursing team. Assist with administrative duties to enhance patient service requirements as directed and supervised by the Nursing Team e.g. effective use of new technology, light administrative duties, documenting information, filing, labelling. Carry out any other duties as may be delegated by the CNM or her Nominee/Deputy Escort patients to appropriate allied health departments for pre-operative test requirements Transportation of blood samples/ swabs/specimens to the laboratory. Assist the nursing team in appropriate tasks which include but are not limited to height/weight measurement, measurement of patient for TED stockings, application of TED stockings and urinalysis, in line with Nursing Strategy recommendations. Assist in the implementation of DOSA including transport of patients and their belongings to post op ward. Maintaining a high standard of services as specified in assigned tasks and duties.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• A pass Leaving Certificate together with excellent interpersonal/communication skills and a willingness to work in a team environment is essential.
• FETAC Level 5 Qualification or equivalent is an essential requirement for this role.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

• Knowledge/experience of caring for patients’ needs.
• At least 5 year's working in an Irish Healthcare setting.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Meet minimum proficiency literacy requirements and have a working knowledge of the English language.
• Ability to work under minimum supervision.
• Willing to carry out physical demands which include moving and transporting patients and equipment.
• Fit to work Monday to Sunday.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.

DESIRABLE SKILLS

• Knowledge of medical terminology is desirable.

CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS

21ST SEPTEMBER 2026

Equal Opportunities Statement

Bon Secours Health System is an equal opportunities employer. Our values of Human Dignity, Compassion, Stewardship, Service and Integrity guide everything we do. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees have the opportunity to thrive. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, abilities and perspectives, and provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

Contact for Assistance

If you require any assistance, please contact [e-mail]

About Bon Secours Health System

As Ireland’s largest independent hospital group, Bon Secours Health System is renowned for the quality of its service provision coupled with a rich tradition in healthcare. Bon Secours Health System CLG is a not-for-profit organisation with its mission centred on providing compassionate, world class medical treatment to all those it serves. With more than 4,000 staff, 500 leading consultants, Bon Secours treats more than 400,000 patients annually in its five modern acute hospitals in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Tralee and Dublin as well as a Care Village in Cork. Bon Secours Health System is internationally accredited by the Joint Commission International Accreditation Standards for Hospital (JCI), the leading organisation in the international accreditation of hospitals for quality and patient safety.