Radiology HCA

Post Title: Health Care Assistant Ultrasound Intervention
Post Status: Permanent Contract
Department: Radiology
Location: Beaumont Hospital
Reports to: Clinical Nurse Manager 2 Radiology

Salary: Appointment will be made on HCA Pay-scale (36288 - 45484) at a point in line with Government pay policy

**Please note that Beaumont Hospital only accepts HCA verification of service from public service organisations (I.E HSE).**

Hours of work: Full Time- 39 hours per week - **Must be flexible to work day and night shifts**

Closing Date: 12 noon on 15th May 2026.

(Please note the hospital reserves the right to close the competition early should a substantial number of applications be received)

The role of the HCA is to support the delivery of patient care under the supervision and direction of qualified nursing personnel (Shannon et al. 2001).

Responsibility
There is a clear relationship between the Health Care Assistant and the Clinical Nurse Manager or their deputy. The Healthcare Assistant also reports to the Assistant Director of Nursing.

Introduction:

• The role of HCA is to support the delivery of patient care under the supervision guidance and direction of a Qualified Nursing Personnel or Radiologist.
• The Ultrasound Intervention Service aims to facilitate a smooth and timely pathway of care for patients who are undergoing Ultrasound guided procedures.
• The HCA linked to this service will be mainly based in the Radiology Department supporting patients undergoing ultrasound guided procedures. They will report to the Radiology CNM.

Key Clinical Duties:

• Duties assigned to the Health care Assistant will vary depending on the care setting and will include the following functions.
• To carry out the assigned and delegated tasks involving direct care and all activities of a daily living under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Radiologist.
• Completion of the local HCA competency checklist yearly.

General Set up of the Ultrasound Intervention Room:

Under the guidance of Nursing Personnel:

• Ensure clean sheet pillow cases and blanket on biopsy couch.
• Roller towels in place.
• Wipe down trolleys/ Dust counter tops.
• Assist in setting up of Procedure trolleys.

Assist in Biopsies/Midline service

• Chaperone patients attending for Ultrasound Procedures.
• Tidy & disinfect examination table between patients.
• Taking sample to porter desk as directed by Nursing & Consultant.
• Assist patients in wheelchairs
• Supervise patients in toilet if necessary
• Escort patients to Procedure room.
• Escort patients to other areas of the department as required.

Communications:

• Communicate appropriately with patients nursing team and the consultants.
• Ensure that complaints suggestions or queries are reported to nursing staff.
• Report accidents/incidents/near miss immediately to nursing staff & Consultants.
• Answer telephone stating the room own name and title and locate appropriate personnel when necessary.
• Report all faulty equipment furniture spillage etc.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.
• Reports verbally in writing pertinent patient care information to appropriate nursing personnel.
• Communicates appropriately with patients/relatives/colleagues/other members of the team.
• Recognises ones own limitations and requests assistance.

Cleaning at the end of Ultrasound Intervention Procedures

• Wash & disinfect couches.
• Change all sheets & pillow cases.
• Clean & disinfect procedure trolleys.
• General cleaning and tidying in suite.
• Assist with the disposal of clinical waste and clean procedure trolleys after use.
• Ensure linen cupboard and storage cupboards are kept tidy and stocked.
• Ensure correct laundry bags are used tied and labelled.
• Report broken items in need of repair to CNM Radiology.
• Ensure all charts are returned to the Radiology Secretary. If inpatient the chart should be sent back with the patient to the relevant ward.

Catering:

• Request refreshments for patients from radiology catering if required.
• Assists patients with same when necessary.

Other Responsibilities:

• Be familiar and comply with the Hospital Policies in relation to Health and Safety. Fire Major Disaster Infection Control Waste Disposal including disposal of soiled linen smoking policy and Patients Charter.
• Report all incidents and accidents involving self patients or visitors to CNM
• Assist with Emergency first aid as directed.
• Attend in-service instruction as required.
• To perform such other duties as appropriate to the post as maybe assigned to him/her from time to time.

Confidentiality:

• Adhere to the Hospital and Departmental policy at all times.
• Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality of information and records at all times.

Infection Control:

• Comply with the hospital infection prevention and control policies including hand hygiene use of personal protective equipment (gloves/aprons/visors).
• Provides and maintains a clean safe environment and assists other staff to perform proper aseptic technique
• Assist with the correct disposal of waste as per hospital guidelines
• Ensure that used linen is placed in correct laundry bags and securely tied.

Risk:

• Maintains a safe environment for patients.
• Report any accidents incidents and near misses in line with Hospital Policy.
• Adapts to changing workload functions quickly and effectively in an emergency situation.

Professional:

• Maintains professional appearance and adheres to the hospital policy in relation to the dress code.
• Complies with hospital/ local guidelines for reporting sick leave.
• Takes responsibility for maintaining mandatory education and attending education sessions as appropriate.
• Is flexible to meet the needs of the service which may include assisting in other areas of the department if needed.
• Follow appropriate line of authority discussing issues firstly with Clinical Nurse Manager then with Divisional Nurse Manager.

Management:

• Demonstrates ability to organise work and use time effectively.
• Displays initiatives and reports to Clinical Nurse Manager as necessary.
• Ensures appropriate stocking is available in the room at all times.
• Assist with ordering & stocking

Education:

• Avails of opportunities that allow sharing of knowledge and skill with colleagues.
• Attend ongoing education and study days.
• Attend Mandatory Study Days as per Hospital Policy.

Mandatory

In exercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 22 of the Health Act 2004 I hereby approve the qualifications as set out hereunder for the appointment and continuing as a Health Care Assistant in the Health Service Executive.

Statutory Registration Professional Qualifications Experience etc.

Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:

1

Possess a relevant* Health Skills qualification as outlined in the Quality and Qualifications

Ireland (QQI) formerly FETAC on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) of not

less than QQI Level 5.

2

Possess a relevant Healthcare qualification at not less than QQI Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

3

Be currently undertaking a relevant Health Skills QQI Level 5 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) with a commitment to complete the appropriate health skills QQI Level 5 qualification within 2 years of taking up post.

4

Be currently employed as a Healthcare Assistant Care Assistant Attendant Multi-Task

Attendant or in a comparable role for at least 2 years and give an undertaking to acquire

an appropriate Health Skills qualification at not less than QQI Level 5 programme on the

National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) within 2 years of taking up post.

AND

Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability including a high standard of

suitability for the proper discharge of the role

Health

A 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

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Note:

With regard to Criterion (i) the listing below 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.)

With regard to Criterion (ii) a relevant Healthcare qualification at not less than QQI Level 5 on the

National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is considered to be a qualification with applied patient

care modules / placements typically but not limited to qualifications in: Social Care Work Nursing

Therapy Professions etc.

If your Health Skills Qualification or Healthcare Qualification does not include the module activities of daily living as a minor award this will have to be completed within a defined timeframe as specified by the service upon taking up post.