Health Care Assistant - ICU.

Job Description

Job Title: Health Care Assistant

Department: Intensive Care Unit

Reports to ICU Nurse Manager

Date 2026

Overall Purpose of Job

We will provide exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the centre of all we do.

The Health Care Assistant’s role is to provide technical assistance and supportive patient care to meet the needs of individual patients throughout assigned areas.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

• Assists with patient activities and care as assigned by the Clinical Nurse Manager/Clinical Co-Coordinator
• Provides for patients’ personal hygiene: Bathes patients, performs oral care, and provides skin care for patients with TED hose, assists with elimination, cares for the incontinent patient, cares for the patient with a urinary catheter, and assists with nursing care
• Assists with feeding
• Ambulates, positions and turns patients, and cares for the patient with altered mobility, as directed by the nursing staff
• Assists with patient safety related to age and condition: Assists with patient specific safety precautions, collects, reports and documents data related to patient needs/emergencies
• Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality of information and records at all times
• Provides and maintains a clean, safe environment, performs and/or assists others to perform proper aseptic technique, isolation procedures and infection control measures
• Maintains patient care areas with appropriate supplies
• Adheres to internal controls established for the department
• Performs related duties as required (please refer to the HCA duties list for ICU)
• The timely identification and communication of any issues and complaints to the Clinical Nurse Manager/Clinical Co-Coordinator/ Clinical Facilitator
• Demonstrate a confidence/competence in all hospital policies and guidelines relating to their role

Clinical Responsibilities

The post holder will ensure

• The patient’s needs are individually assessed
• The patient’s families/significant others are involved as appropriate
• Visiting time policies are adhered to.
• Maintain a safe working environment and escalate problems as appropriate
• Ensure Infection Control standards are adhered to at all times
• Can perform duties in a timely manner
• Able to prioritise duties and workload.
• Able to provide assistance to the ICU team as required

Personal/Professional Responsibilities

The post holder is expected to

• Attend in a timely manner all mandatory education sessions as directed by the Clinical Facilitator
• Ensure their professional and personal persona positively reflects Beacon Hospital
• Attend appropriate study days/courses in agreement with the Clinical Facilitator/ICU Nurse Manager
• Participate in their performance review with their Clinical Nurse Manager
• Utilise effective time management skills
• Maintain professional appearance and dress code
• Comply with guidelines for absence or tardiness
• Attend staff meetings, reads all work related email and other postings
• Wear Identification Badge when working at all times

HCA DUTIES ICU

*This is not an exhaustive list of duties and additional duties may be required as directed by the ICU Nurse Manager

HCA Handover

Handover from co-coordinator re what’s outstanding from previous shift

Print daily roster of on-call, write on board

08:30 Code blue test

Room set up and equipment check

Ventilator checks

ECG

Blood Sugar

Assist with admissions

Blood gases sampling

Collect blood products from Lab

Set up for line insertions

Prepare trolley for intubation

Prepare patient for transfer out of bed

Btime and Reports

Ward Clerk Duties in the absence of Ward Clerk

Emergency trolley check and restock

Sluice room

Assist with x-rays

Print and highlight bloods, distribute to staff

Set up patients for breakfast, feed if required

Liaise with co-ordinator regarding admissions and discharges

Suction filters

Assist physios

Locate Buxton chairs

Ensure adequate supply of oxygen

Ensure transport monitor is plugged in

Check equipment rooms are tidy and well stocked

Assist general patient care, patient turns and care

Answer patient call bells

Answer telephones

File and transfer charts to medical records

Request charts from medical records

Ensure adequate supply of paper work e.g. RSVP, Critical value forms, Drug kardex, blood forms

Liaise with housekeeping

Trolleys in rooms are adequately stocked and clean

Ensure adequate supply of linen and alginate bags

Infection control appropriate signage and equipment supplied

Adequate supply of medication labels

Sharps bins disposals and set up

Liaise with stores, facilities, bio-engineering regarding open tickets and log tickets as required

Check adequate Stores of all equipment

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Leaving Certificate or equivalent
• Completion of an approved course for Health Care Assistants preferred

Experience

• Previous Health Care experience preferred

Job Specific Competencies and Knowledge

Teamwork

• Demonstrate ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Demonstrate motivation and a proactive approach to the job

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner

Planning and Organising

• Demonstrate evidence of effective planning, organizing and time management skills
• Takes initiative to get tasks done
• Demonstrate flexible approach – to internal rotations, rostering, e.g. night duty, and attitude to work

Knowledge

• Demonstrate evidence of recent and relevant experience in an acute hospital setting
• Is aware of the skills and knowledge required to carry out role of HCA in ICU

Patient/Customer Focus

• Demonstrate a focus on quality
• Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathize with patients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect

Personal Competencies

All posts in Beacon Hospital require a high level of flexibility to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient service. Therefore, the post holder will be required to demonstrate flexibility as and when required by their manager or hospital management, which may include floating to other departments to assist as other departments fluctuate

This job description is intended to be an outline of the areas of responsibility and deliverables at the time of its writing. As the Hospital and the post holder develop, this job description may be subject to review in light of the changing needs of the Hospital.