Health Care Assistant (HCA) – Theatre & CSSD

Department: Theatre & Perioperative Services – Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

Hours: 40 hours per week, worked over five days in line with the theatre schedule

Salary: €34,000 per annum

Reports to: Theatre Manager

Professionally Accountable to: Director of Nursing

The Avoca Clinic Limited is seeking a Health Care Assistant (HCA) – Theatre & CSSD to join our Theatre and Perioperative Services team.

The successful candidate will provide safe and effective Healthcare Assistant support to patients throughout the perioperative pathway, working under the supervision and direction of registered nursing staff. The position also includes responsibilities within the Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD), supporting the safe decontamination, preparation, sterilisation, traceability and storage of reusable surgical instruments and equipment.

Patient safety, infection prevention and control, accurate documentation, confidentiality and effective teamwork are central to this role.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Healthcare Assistant – Patient Care

Assist with the reception, preparation and positioning of patients for plastic and reconstructive surgical procedures under the direction of a registered nurse.

Support patients with personal care, hygiene, mobility, comfort, nutrition and hydration before and after surgery.

Assist with the safe transfer and movement of patients between ward, theatre and recovery areas using appropriate equipment and techniques.

Observe patients and promptly report any changes in their condition, appearance, behaviour or comfort to the registered nurse.

Assist registered nurses with delegated duties, including appropriate support with dressings, drains and compression garments, once assessed as competent.

Undertake delegated clinical tasks, including routine observations and specimen handling, where permitted by clinic policy and within assessed competence.

Maintain patient privacy, dignity, confidentiality and comfort at all times.

Provide a calm, professional and reassuring presence to patients and refer clinical questions to the appropriate registered nurse or surgeon.

Chaperone patients during examinations and procedures when required.

Prepare, clean, restock and turn around theatres, recovery bays, treatment rooms and other clinical areas between patients.

CSSD and Decontamination

The role includes supporting the safe reprocessing and management of reusable surgical instruments and equipment.

Responsibilities include

Receive, clean and prepare reusable surgical instruments and equipment for reprocessing.

Carry out the required stages of the decontamination cycle, including cleaning, washer-disinfection, drying, inspection, assembly, packaging and sterilisation.