Catering Assistant

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post is:

The salary scale for the post is: €34,195 36,039 37,147 37,905 38,562 39,412 39,931 40,815 41,723

New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and other Public Service Bodies and Statutory Agencies.

Purpose of the Post

To act as a member of the catering team.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will support the principle that care of the patient comes first at all times and will approach their work with the flexibility and enthusiasm necessary to make this principle a reality for every patient to the greatest possible degree.

• Maintain throughout the Group’s awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all hospital activities.

• Performance management systems are part of the role and you will be required to participate in the Group’s performance management programme

·        To attend for duty as assigned by the Catering Manager and at such hours as he/she determines from time to time.

·        To work as part of a team and assist in all catering and cleaning duties in food preparation service and distribution.

·        To carry out cleaning and maintenance of kitchens, stores, walls, doors, floors, cookers, cold rooms freezers and all equipment and utensils in accordance with Hygiene Standards.

·        To carry out cleaning and maintenance of dining areas, corridors, toilets, halls, cloakrooms, furniture and fittings.

·        To carry out such cleaning duties as may be assigned.

·        To ensure proper use and care of cleaning materials and equipment, reporting any faults or defects to Catering Manager.

·        To be aware of Statutory Occupational Health & Safety Legislation under the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act 1989.

·        To perform dining room duties as required or requested.

·        The uniform prescribed must be work at all times and other protective items e.g. clothing, footwear, gloves etc. must be utilized as required by Hospital Policy and as appropriate to area of service.

·        To observe the hospital’s policies and procedures on discretion and confidentiality relating to patients and/or their families.

·        To demonstrate a friendly and co-operative attitude towards visitors/relatives/staff.

·        To undertake training and retraining as requested by Catering manager/Hospital Management and to keep up to date with new methods of food handling and service.

·        To become fully acquainted and comply with Hospital procedures and policies in relation to fire outbreaks, Major Accident Plan, Cardiac Arrest or other emergencies and participate in emergency response to same.

·        To be aware of and comply with policies, directives, guidelines and recommendations from the Health Service Executive and other statutory bodies in relation to Health & Safety, Food Safety, Infection Control, Environmental Health, Moving and Handling etc.

·        To undertake serving of food to staff.

·        To assist in checking of refrigerators and stores to ensure proper rotation of foodstuffs and to ensure that food is stored in accordance with hygiene and regulation standards.

·        Confidentiality must be adhered to at all times.

·        To act appropriately while on duty at all times.

·        To be flexible and to co-operate with the rotation of tasks as required.

·        To assist in the security of the Department (locking of doors and windows)

·        To assist and record temperatures of Foodstuffs in compliance with H.A.C.C.P.

·        To assist on plating of patients meals, as required.

·        To have a knowledge of basic food hygiene.

·        Successful applicants will be expected to work shift and at weekends as appropriate to Catering Department, as required.

·        To present for work in full and proper uniform and at rostered times.

·        That all catering personnel must be aware that they are now accountable and responsible for the highest quality in the delivery of their service.

·        To co-operate, act responsibly and willingly participate in any duties assigned to you in the event of a major incident/disaster

KPI’s

• The identification and development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which are congruent with the Hospital’s service plan targets.
• The development of Action Plans to address KPI targets.
• Driving and promoting a Performance Management culture.
• In conjunction with line manager assist in the development of a Performance Management system for your profession.
• The management and delivery of KPIs as a routine and core business objective.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING GENERAL CONDITIONS:

·        Employees must attend fire lectures periodically and must observe fire orders.

·        All accidents within the Department must be reported immediately.

·        Infection Control Policies must be adhered to.

·        In line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Acts 2005 and 2010 all staff must comply with all safety regulations and audits.

·        In line with the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004, smoking within the Hospital Buildings is not permitted.

·        Hospital uniform code must be adhered to.

·        Provide information that meets the need of Senior Management.

·        To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Risk Management, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety

·        The management of Risk, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment.

·        The post holder must be familiar with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility.

·        The post holder has a duty to familiarise themselves with the relevant Organisational Policies, Procedures & Standards and attend training as appropriate in the following areas:

o   Continuous Quality Improvement Initiatives

o   Document Control Information Management Systems

o   Risk Management Strategy and Policies

o   Hygiene Related Policies, Procedures and Standards

o   Decontamination Code of Practice

o   Infection Control Policies

o   Safety Statement, Health & Safety Policies and Fire Procedure

o   Data Protection and confidentiality Policies

·        The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they become familiar with the requirements stated within the Risk Management Strategy and that they comply with the Group’s Risk Management Incident/Near miss reporting Policies and Procedures.

·        The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they comply with hygiene services requirements in your area of responsibility. Hygiene Services incorporates environment and facilities, hand hygiene, catering, cleaning, the management of laundry, waste, sharps and equipment.

·        The post holder must foster and support a quality improvement culture through-out your area of responsibility in relation to hygiene services.

·        The post holders’ responsibility for Quality & Risk Management, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety will be clarified to you in the induction process and by your line manager.

·        The post holder must take reasonable care for his or her own actions and the effect that these may have upon the safety of others.

·        The post holder must cooperate with management, attend Health & Safety related training and not undertake any task for which they have not been authorised and adequately trained.

·        The post holder is required to bring to the attention of a responsible person any perceived shortcoming in our safety arrangements or any defects in work equipment.

·        It is the post holder’s responsibility to be aware of and comply with the HSE Health Care Records Management/Integrated Discharge Planning (HCRM / IDP) Code of Practice.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and/ or experience

Candidates must on the closing date:

(i) Have 2nd level education to Junior Certificate Level at a minimum, which includes pass in 5 subjects.

or

(ii) Have completed a relevant examination at a comparable standard in any equivalent examination in another jurisdiction

And

(iii) Have 1 year continuous relevant employment in a household/ catering environment in a healthcare setting i.e. Hospital/ Nursing Home/ Day Care Facility or in the hospitality sector within the last 3 years

And

(iv) Have fluent command & understanding of English Language to include spoken & written to compile HACCP/HIQA Documents.

And

(v) Have completed the Primary Food Hygiene Course

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

Post specific Requirements

Flexibility regards working hours to meet the demands of the service.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Demonstrates the following:

Knowledge

·        Demonstrate evidence of knowledge of EHO, HIQA and HACCP regulations and the requirements in this role to adhere to same.

·        Demonstrate evidence of experience of working in a healthcare/ hospitality environment

Planning and Organising

·        Demonstrate evidence of ability to plan work effectively and efficiently,

·        Demonstrate flexible approach to working hours, rostering e.g. unsocial hours/ shift work, night duty, on call, attitude to work

Quality and Patient/ Customer Focus

·        Demonstrate a focus on quality

·        Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect.

·        Have a customer focused approach & understanding of the importance of maintaining a quality service to patients.

·        Maintain confidentiality on all matters & information obtained during employment.

Teamwork

·        Demonstrate ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and to contribute to the overall delivery of the catering services to patients, staff & customers

·        Demonstrate motivation and an innovative approach to job.

·        Demonstrate ability to present a neat and tidy appearance

·        Demonstrate ability to take direction to achieve positive service outcomes

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

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

·        Demonstrate ability to communicate with colleagues in a professional and respectful manner,

·        Demonstrate ability to communicate with patients in a compassionate, respectful and dignified manner.

·        The ability to treat and deal with all customers in a courteous & responsible manner.

Possess a competent level of spoken and written English to compile HACCP document

Tenure

The current vacancy available is pensionable, permanent and whole time.

A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled

Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004 and Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Amendment Act 2013.

Working Week

The standard working week applying to the post is 39 hours

HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).

Annual Leave

The annual leave associated with the post will be confirmed at job offer stage

Superannuation

This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st December 2004.