Healthcare Assistant - Portlaoise

Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA); Portlaoise; On-site; EUR 22,344 - 24,838; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage allowance

Sick pay scheme

Maternity and paternity pay scheme

Holiday pay 8%

PRSA Pension scheme available

Bike to Work Scheme

Employee Assistance Service

Training and development

Job summary

Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) in Portlaoise is seeking a Healthcare Assistant (Personal Assistant) for a part-time role of 25 hours per week. You must be available mornings, afternoons, evenings and every second weekend to support Members in their homes and communities.

Salary ranges from €16.22 to €18.03 per hour, with enhanced rates for before 8am/after 8pm and Sundays. PRSA, bike-to-work, mileage and training are provided as part of a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Full Major Award at QQI Level 5 in Community Health Services, Health Service Skills or Healthcare Support; commitment to complete major award.
• Experience in a caring role is essential.
• Reliable, trustworthy and maintains confidentiality.
• Excellent communication with good spoken and written English.
• Access to own car and full driving licence is essential.

Responsibilities

• Enable Members to achieve maximum independence in daily living through personal care, domestic, social and educational assistance.
• Provide travel and companionship support in Members' homes and communities.

Skills

Excellent communication

Confidentiality

Person-centred approach

Flexible

English proficiency

Education

QQI Level 5 in Community Health Services/Healthcare Support

Job description

Ranked 2nd in The Irish Independent “Ireland's Best Employer 2025” list, we invite applications from committed and caring Healthcare Assistants (Personal Assistants) interested in joining our team in the Co. Laois.

Portlaoise Wolfhill

Part‑time 25 hours per week, with potential for extra relief hours depending on availability.

Full availability required to include mornings, afternoons, evenings and every second weekend.

What We Offer

• Salary range €16.22 – €18.03 per hour depending on experience.
• Before 8am and after 8pm – €20.27 per hour.
• Sunday – €24.33 per hour.
• Public Holidays – €32.44 per hour.
• Paid inter-client mileage.
• Sick pay scheme.
• Maternity and paternity pay scheme.
• Excellent working conditions.
• Holiday pay at a rate of 8% of hours worked.
• PRSA Pension scheme available.
• Bike to Work Scheme.
• Employee Assistance Service.
• Commitment to ongoing training and development of all employees.

Overall Purpose of Job

The purpose of the role is to enable the Members to achieve maximum independence in all aspects of daily living, by providing assistance in one or more of the following areas: personal care, domestic assistance, social and educational assistance, travel and companionship.

Role takes place in the homes and communities of our Members.

Liaison

Key relationships include liaising and coordinating with other identified Home carers as required and maintaining close communication with the ALS Coordinator / Scheduling staff.

Training And Qualifications, Required

• Full Major Award at QQI Level 5 in either Community Health Services, Health Service Skills, Healthcare Support or other relevant qualification and a commitment to complete the major award.
• Experience of working with people in a caring role (essential).
• Reliable, trustworthy, and always maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent communication skills with a good level of spoken and written English.
• Access to your own car and full driving licence (essential).

Behaviours

• Person‑centred approach.
• An ability to build strong relationships.
• Strong customer service focus.
• Flexible approach to work.
• High level of confidentiality.

Competencies

• Communicating and Influencing.
• Motivating and Empowering.
• Planning and Organising.
• Quality and Customer Focus and Accountability.

IWA is committed to promoting, maintaining, and adding to our diverse and inclusive work environment and would encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

Documentary evidence of your relevant qualification(s) will be required in advance of or during the recruitment process.