St Patrick’s University Hospital Hiring for Health Care Assistant Job at Dublin , Ireland Full Time

Applications are welcome from anyone who holds requisite qualifications and is available for the time-period, including students.

The successful applicant must:

• Hold a minimum FETAC level 5 qualification ideally in a healthcare discipline (must demonstrate proof)
• Be able to interact on a one to one basis with service users of different backgrounds and in various stages of mental health recovery
• Have genuine concern for others
• Have the ability to demonstrate kindness, compassion and patience
• Hold a full current driving licence recognised in Ireland
• Be aged between 23 and 69 years of age for insurance purposes
• Have experience of facilitating group activities both face-to-face and virtual
• Have experience working in an inpatient mental health setting and with different healthcare professionals (highly desirable)
• Knowledge of Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Office Suite (highly desirable)

Please refer to the person specification for further requirements

Informal enquiries only to:
Sherrie Buckley, Occupational Therapy Manager
Tel: 01 2493426
Email: (Applications should not be made to this email address)

Please note that if you are viewing this advert via Irishjobs, the contact details for informal enquires above are not visible as irishjobs do not allow telephone numbers or emails to be present in adverts. However, these details are visible in the advert on the St Patrick’s website in the career vacancies section.

Applications in the form of covering letter and Curriculum Vitae, clearly stating the post being applied for should be uploaded as one document by Monday 28th November 2022.

St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services is an equal opportunities employer

Job Description

Job Title: Health Care Assistant

(1.0WTE Full Time, Specified Purpose Contract)

Reporting to: Occupational Therapy Manager

Place of Work: St. Patrick’s University Hospital (SPUH), James’s Street, Dublin 8 and St. Patrick’s Hospital, Lucan (SPL) incorporating the Dean Clinics and other services operated by St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services

Main Purpose: To deliver Service User care within SPMHS multi-disciplinary care setting in the form of liaison services, communication, supervision and access co-ordination, accompanying, group facilitation and assistance with Service User orientated events in SMPHS.

Hours of Work: Full time is 77 hours per fortnight.

Duties Include: Facilitate/co-facilitate face-to-face and virtual recreational & leisure activities in both SPUH & SPL including anti-tension and guided meditation, front of house duties, assist with service user visiting, assist with service user transfers between approved centres, supervise the gym (cardiovascular equipment only), assist with the Anything Goes Art Exhibition, keep up to date access lists for the music room, maintain and be responsible for the service user library, music room and garden, provide support for the Pathways and EDP day programme and facilitate daily walk/s

Front of House Related Duties
The Health Care Assistant will:

• Meet and Greet Service Users in/at Admissions
• Offer tea, coffee, refreshments
• Orientate Service Users to immediate facilities e.g. toilets, fresh drinking water
• Orientate Service Users to admission procedures or workflow that they will experience and the likely timelines for each phase (procedure time and waiting times)
• Bring Service Users to Consultants offices from Reception
• Bring Service Users to Group and Activity Rooms as required
• Assist Service Users/Visitors with the car park machine and barrier as required
• Assist with service user visiting as required

Events Related Duties
The Health Care Assistant will:

• Provide service to departments within the hospital that host Service User focused events. This will normally be at the request of Occupational Therapy and on occasion support may be required by other departments such as Communications & Social Work.
• Assist the Activity department & Art Committee during with the preparations for the Hospital Art Exhibitions as required
• Assist with the Service User Art Exhibition i.e. in-take of submissions and return of works, hanging of exhibition, general queries etc.
• Assist with Activity/Occupational Therapy Dept. activities I.E. Tree Decorating Party

Orientation Related Duties
The Health Care Assistant will:

• Facilitate an orientation tour of SPUH as required
• Aid the delivery of the support and information centre in assisting Service Users in a range of area’s e.g. assisting the completion of forms, distribution of Service User Information Booklet, accompanying Service Users to places they wish to go in the hospital, practically assisting with general queries like help topping up phone.
• Provide or Facilitate daily/ regular meetings with Service Users to explain the Service User Information Booklet incorporating the hospitals facilities as required

Gym Duties
The Health Care Assistant will:

• Accompany Service Users on daily group walks.
• Supervise the Gym in the mornings and evenings and week-ends and when the Gym instructor is not available.

Service User Transfer Duties
The Health Care Assistant will:

• Be part of a rota facilitating service users transfer to St Patrick’s Hospital Lucan, if required, during the following times:

• 8am to 8pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays
• 5pm and 8pm Monday through Thursday, Friday afternoons to 8pm
• 8am to 8pm during leave of the individual who facilitates transfers Monday through Friday
• Or as required

Occupational Therapy & Activity Department Related Duties
The Health Care Assistant will:

• Accompany Service Users that need additional support on the Pathways Day Programme and Eating Disorder Programme or another Day Programmes as required
• Facilitate or co-facilitate anti-tension/relaxation group/guided meditation
• Maintain Music Room, Library, OT Kitchen and Garden by reporting to the OT Manager any recognised needs or faults with equipment.
• Maintain occupational therapy stores including equipment and stationery.
• Meet with Service Users referred to the music room. Orient them to the area and provide them with the usage guidelines.
• Maintain the Music Room list on the S drive and ensure reception have an up-to-date list of all Service Users referred to the music room and garden
• Keep the Shomera tidy and keep accurate inventory of what plants/items need to be ordered in the Service User Garden.
• Keep the pet area of the Service User garden tidy and ensure the equipment/supplies are replenished. Advise when items need to be ordered.
• Accompany Service Users to the Activity Department or on garden walks when required.
• Supervise closed areas e.g. Garden, Music Room.
• Maintain the Service User Library including the re-shelving of books and handling book donations.
• Assist with Occupational therapy & Activity groups when appropriate.
• Assist in the Art, Craft, OT Kitchen and Pottery Rooms when required.
• Assist with any new developments as appropriate where prior consultation takes place.
• Accompany Service Users, guest and their pets to the Service User garden with Pet Area and inform them of the rules
• Facilitate and supervise evening activities as required
• Supervise Service User garden access and co-ordinate activities in the Garden.
• Facilitate a gardening group
• Facilitate and moderate virtual activities using Microsoft Teams
• Supervise pet visiting
• Provide recreational activities and support to Vanessa Ward (over 65 Unit) and other wards as requested or required

Cleaning of Clinical Equipment
The Health Care Assistant will:

• Clean all clinical equipment in line with associated procedures, SOP, infection control and local policies.
  • Clinical Equipment includes but is not limited to: Drip Stands, BP Stands, Laundry Trolleys, Walking Frames, Free Standing Fans, Assisted Toilet Seats, Wheel Chairs, Commodes, Weighing Scales, Shower Chairs, Assisted Baths, Hoist, ECG Frame, Shower Stool, Zimmer Frames, Defibrillator (wheels).

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 him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the position.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Health Care Assistant
(1.0WTE Full time, Specified Purpose contract)

Qualifications:

• Hold a minimum FETAC level 5 qualification in a healthcare discipline (must demonstrate proof)
• Hold a full, clean category B driving license and be willing to drive a hospital van
• Be aged between 23 and 69 years of age for insurance purposes

Experience:

• Have experience of facilitating group activities both face-to-face and virtual
• Have experience working in an inpatient mental health setting and with different healthcare professionals (highly desirable)

Professional Knowledge

• Knowledge of clinical departments within the hospital and their roles and functions.
• An awareness of the Mental Health Commission as a regulatory body. An awareness of the existence of the MHC’s Judgement Support Framework on which the hospital is assessed.
• Understanding of and commitment to the current Hospital Strategy.

Characteristics:

• can interact on a one to one basis with service users of different backgrounds and in various stages of recovery
• Have genuine concern for others
• Have the ability to demonstrate kindness, compassion and patience
• Possess good verbal communications skills

Skills

• Communication – Ability to communicate effectively to varied individuals and groups in a clear manner with organised expression of thought.
• Solving Problems – Ability to take initiative and solve problems with relevant information.
• Coping with Pressure – Ability to cope with pressure and demands while maintaining a positive attitude and prioritize activities/events effectively.
• Proven ability to work in a team – Ability to develop and maintain constructive working relationships at all levels within the Organisation.
• Organisational, Administrative and I.T. skills – Ability to access and record information using computerised systems and undertake paperwork.
• Ability to take direction

Please note: all above criteria are essential unless otherwise noted.

BASIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Health Care Assistant
(1.0WTE Full time, Specified Purpose contract)

Working Week: The standard hours applying to this position is 77 hours per fortnight for a full-time role

Salary: Salary for the position will be dependent on the appointee’s experience and based on the hospital’s Health Care Assistant salary scale.

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

Pension: All pensionable staff become members of the pension scheme after successful completion of probation. 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.

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.