2024/96 Health Care Assistant (HCA) Maternity Services

The Health Care Assistant (HCA) is part of the ward/ department team, carrying out assigned activities, which will assist in the efficient running of the ward.  The Health Care Assistant in Maternity, as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, supports, assists and complements the role of the midwife, in the provision of safe, effective, quality care to women and babies. The HCA in maternity service works under the supervision of a Registered Midwife. Qualifications and Experience: (A)  Candidates must, on the latest date for receipt of applications hold:(i)  The relevant health Skills QQI ( formerly FETAC) Level 5 qualification required with a Maternity Care ModuleOr(ii) An equivalent relevant health care qualification or a comparable healthcare qualification as outlined in the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) NARIC Ireland framework.Or(iii) Be currently employed as a Health Care Assistant or a comparable roleAnd(B)  Candidates must have personal competence and capacity to properly discharge the duties of the role.HealthA candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.  CharacterEach candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character. With regard to Criterion (i), the listing below has been identified as what is considered relevant health skills QQI (formerly FETAC) Level 5* qualifications  ·       QQI Level 5 Healthcare Support·       QQI Level 5 Nursing Studies·       QQI Level 5 Community Care·       QQI Level 5 Health Service Skills·       QQI Level 5 Community Health Services *(A full QQI/FETAC 5 Major award requires a minimum of 120 credits/8 Modules - Please note a Component Certificate will not suffice.)Purpose of the Post The Health Care Assistant (HCA) in maternity services is part of the ward/ department team, carrying out assigned activities, which will assist in the efficient running of the ward. HCA’s in maternity services work under the supervision of a registered Nurse/Midwife at all times. The HCA in Maternity Services will assist the midwives in the care of women and babies and undertake other duties, and communicate with others as has been delegated to him/her by a registered midwife. The National Maternity Strategy (2016) puts the needs of mothers and babies at its center by ensuring women have access to safe, high quality, evidence based maternity care. This will be done by facilitating choice for women in so far as it is safe to do so.Health Care Assistants provide assistance, support and direct personal care to patients and residents in a variety of healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, aged care facilities, as well as community and domestic settings. They generally work in support, or under delegation, direction and supervision, of health professionals. They support multi-disciplinary teams in the delivery of high-quality care.” - International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO).  Principal Duties and Responsibilities Patient Related Duties:1.       To assist with care requirements to enhance the safety, comfort and wellbeing of patients.2.       To assist in the education of new mothers on aspects of baby care i.e. nappy changing, bathing and formula feeding.3.        Adding data to our MN-CMS Electronic Patient System4.       To ensure that patient bed area is clean and tidy.5.       To ensure that the ward area is maintained in a clean and tidy condition.6.       To ensure that ward stock is safely stored in the correct location.7.       Bed/cot making/washing for inpatients and following discharge. Dispose of soiled linen in accordance to hospital guidelines.8.       Assist midwife to prepare for and carry out clinical procedures.9.       Assist patient to store and move belongings when being admitted, transferred or discharged.10.    Give out water and glasses and change or replenish as necessary.11.    Make light refreshments for patients outside mealtimes.12.    Answer call bells and telephones and relay information to the appropriate person. Take advice from midwife with regard to giving out information on patients.13.    Assist patients at meal times ensuring their food is accessible. Report any concerns about patient’s appetite to the midwife.14.    Take specimens to laboratory outside of routine collections.15.    Collect charts from other departments when required.16.    On discharge of mothers and babies sterilize the baby security tag and return it to Delivery Suite.17.    Control formula feeds including checking expiry date, distribution to women and compiling the weekly order list.18.    Milk Kitchen: preparation of specialized feeds in accordance to HAACP guidelines. Direct Patient Care:1.     Assist patients to bathroom/toilet and record output on appropriate document if required.2.     Assist with care of babies as requested by midwife. Document care given if relevant.3.     Assist midwife in bed bathing and caring for women confined to bed including giving, removing and disposing of bedpans and sick bowls.4.     Escort mothers to other departments or to front door on discharge when assistance is required.5.     Chaperone patient when requested by Doctor / Male Midwife. General Ward Duties:1.     Collect, all used formula bottles dispose according to agreed ward practice.2.     Check, seal and replace sharp bins as necessary.3.     Change sterilizing fluid daily. Clean sterilizing equipment on a daily basis and ensure that it is ready for use at all times.4.     Direct visitors and help to keep a calm, pleasant atmosphere.5.     Assist midwives in complying general stores request lists. 6.     Put away stores and keep all store rooms and linen rooms tidy. Ensure there is an adequate supply of all stores and linen. 7.     Set up trolleys/trays with equipment required for procedures or treatments. Dispose of waste and equipment/ sharps after use adhering to hospital guidelines.8.     Clean spillage’s including body fluids adhering to hospital guidelines.9.     Defrost clinical fridges on a weekly basis.10.  Clean and store ward equipment, including drip stands, incubators, biliblanket, commode, baby mat and roller board. Label, remove and report broken equipment ensuring a requisition for repair is processed.11.  Maintain general safety of ward by ensuring floor areas are dry, no equipment has potential to trip and fire exits are not blocked Principal Duties and Responsibilities:1.     To carry out all activities required as directed by the Midwife/Nurse in charge and as appropriate to the job description for the position.2.      To contribute to the wellbeing of the patients and their families.3.     To ensure maintenance of good relationships, communication and team work with all disciplines.4.     To develop good interpersonal relationships with patients, relatives and the other members of the multidisciplinary team.5.     To be aware of the responsibility of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients and staff and to promote a safer environment by minimizing[1] environmental hazards e.g. safe disposal of spillages and ‘sharps’.6.      To adhere to the policies and procedures of the hospital at all times.7.     To be responsible for material and equipment as directed by the Unit / Ward Manager and as appropriate to the job description for the position.8.     To undertake continuing education and developmental activities consistent with the position to include Q-Pulse training, the Rotunda Hospital document management system.9.     To be aware the Hospital reserves the right to assign you to wards or departments within the Hospital in which you are qualified to work. Skills, competencies and/or knowledgeAbility to communicate effectively Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team Able to use own initiative and work with minimal supervision but ask for help or advice from senior staff when needed Understand the need for confidentialityThis Job Specification is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.All informal enquires in relation to the above should be directed to Ms. Catherine Halloran, Assistant Director of Midwifery & Nursing at challoran@rotunda.ie  Applications, should be made via the Rotunda website and include a current Curriculum Vitae and cover letter.Closing date: Friday 2nd August 2024, 5pm.