HCA, Home Support – Duties & Responsibilities

The following is a range of anticipated duties that may be required for Health Care Assistant (Home Support); this list is not exhaustive as there may be variances based on the specific needs of a client at a point in time.

• Provide all aspects of personal care to the client including assistance with getting in and out of bed, showering/bathing, supervised toileting as per Home Support Care Plan delegated by relevant HSE staff;
• Manage continence care to include appropriate disposal of incontinence wear and reporting of any change in Client’s condition to relevant HSE staff;
• Provide medication prompting to the client and collection of medication from pharmacy where required as per the Home Support Care Plan.
• Observe the person’s dietary intake, ensuring that food and fluids are consumed as per Home Support Care Plan. If the client is experiencing on-going difficulty eating or drinking, report this to the supervisor, who must then report this matter to the relevant HSE staff, and appropriately record in the record of care;
• Undertake meal preparation if this forms part of the Home Support Care Plan;
• Encourage clients to exercise independently, where appropriate. Use appropriate mobility devices and delegated exercise programme as per Home Support Care Plan and/or as directed by relevant Health Care Professionals
• Observe and report any changes in general health and well-being and skin integrity and report this to the supervisor, who must then report this matter to the relevant HSE staff, and appropriately record in the record of care;
• Undertake essential household duties as per Home Support Care Plan to maintain a safe environment pertaining to the client.
• Provide sessional home respite service where specifically required, as per Home Support Care Plan;
• Shop for relevant food requirements where no other support exists;
• Document care given and any issues of concern, and report as appropriate to the Multi-disciplinary team.
• Under take all mandatory and relevant training in relation to the role.
• Actively engage with supervisor and member of the multi-disciplinary team.