Domestic Attendant

Purpose of the Post

The provision of high quality domestic service to all patients which includes catering and cleaning duties, in line with hospital and national infection control policies, HACCP and Environmental Health Office regulations.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• The person holding this post is required to support the principle that the 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 role and you will be required to participate in the Group’s performance management programme
• The person holding this post is required to work in a Domestic Service Team, which includes cleaning and catering
• Adhere to HACCP, EHO, HIQA and HSE regulations
• To be aware of Statutory Occupational Health & Safety Legislation under the Safety, Health & Welfare Act, 1989.
• Ensure efficient and economical use of materials and equipment
• Ensure proper use of cleaning materials and equipment, reporting any defects for repair to the Domestic Supervisor.
• To work as part of a team and assist in all catering and cleaning duties in food preparation service and distribution
• Ensure that duties are carried out as specified on cleaning schedules i.e. signing off on work completed
• Maintaining the cleanliness and maintenance of kitchens, stores, walls, floors, cookers, freezers and all equipment and utensils to the highest possible hygienic standards in line with Hospital & HSE.
• To take temperatures of refrigerators/freezers, record temperatures in compliance of HACCP, and stores to ensure proper rotation of stock and to ensure food is stored in accordance with National Hygiene Standards of Ireland I.S. 340 2007.
• Ensure appropriate quality standards and protocols are completed
• To assist in the plating of patient meals as required.
• To be aware of and comply with policies, directives, guidelines and recommendations from statutory bodies in relation to Health & Safety, Manual Handling, Infection Control,, Environmental Health, HACCP, HIQA and Waste Management.
• To observe the hospitals policies and procedures on discretion and confidentiality relating to patients and/or their families
• To present for work in full and proper clean uniform at rostered time, no strong smelling perfumes, or jewellery with the exception of a wedding band.
• To demonstrate a friendly and co-operative attitude towards visitors/relatives/staff
• Rotate with roster duties when required
• To undertake all training & retraining as requested by Hospital Management and to keep up to date with new methods of food handling, service and cleaning methods in compliance with Infection Control Standards.
• To be fully aware & comply with policies, in relation to fire outbreaks, Major Accident Plan, or other emergencies and participate in emergency response to same.
• To take all necessary steps to ensure the maximum security in the Department (locking doors, windows) in your area of assignment and all equipment and supplies therein.
• The Domestic Services operates over 5 days per week Monday to Friday

General:

• Comply with all uniform and hygiene requirements – including appropriate cleaning and catering attire required to comply with infection control, EHO and HACCP regulations.
• Service needs will require movement between cleaning and catering (and portering staff between wards/departments/ ) and relief duties from time to time.
• This post may be subject to restructuring in the future to facilitate the reorganisation of acute services in line with clinical models of acute care and needs of the service.
• The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.
• Carry out their daily duties with regard to patients dignity and privacy, in line with HIQA Standards for Better Safer Healthcare
• The post holder is expected to carry out his / her duties with compassion, respect and consideration for both patients and other staff
• Be accountable for the provision of your work and perform in a manner that is efficient, effective and of the highest standard
• The uniform prescribed must be worn at all times and other protective clothing, footwear, gloves etc, must be utilised as required by Hospital Uniform Policy and as appropriate to area of service.

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 Act, 2005 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 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.

This job description indicates the main functions and responsibilities of the post and is subject to review and amendment in light of changing circumstances and may include other duties and responsibilities as may be determined from time to time by the designated Line Manager.

Eligibility Criteria Qualifications and/ or experience

Candidates must on the closing date

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

OR

· Have completed a relevant examination at a comparable standard in any equivalent examination in another jurisdiction

AND

· 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

· Possess a competent level of spoken and written English to compile HACCP/HIQA documents.

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

Previous experience of working in a catering department or as multi task attendant

Irish Language Required for Carraroe Day Centre Post.

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 knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role

· Demonstrate knowledge in the area of healthcare

· Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge to best practice

· Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development

· Demonstrate a commitment to assuring high standards and strive for a patient centred service

· Demonstrate knowledge of the basic food hygiene.

Teamwork

· Demonstrate ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

· Demonstrate motivation and an innovative approach to job.

· Demonstrate ability to present a neat and tidy appearance

· Demonstrate ability to carry out instructions and appreciate the importance of providing quality care to patients.

Planning and Organising

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

· Demonstrate flexible approach to working hours, rostering, leave cover, attitude to work

· Demonstrate ability to work on own initiative

· Demonstrate ability to work under pressure

Quality & 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.

· Demonstrate motivation to fulfil the role and contribute to improving the service

· Demonstrate the ability to maintain confidentiality

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.

· Possess a competent level of spoken and written English to compile HACCP and other documents.

· Demonstrate ability to listen openly, using questions to check understanding/avoid misinterpretation.

• Demonstrates excellent communication skills, including sufficient command of the English language so as to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role

Campaign Specific

Selection Process

Shortlisting / Interview

A short-listing exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for short-listing are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.

Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.

Those successful at the short-listing stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.

Code of Practice

The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, facilities for feedback to applicants on matters relating to their application when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the

recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates”.

Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates” or on www.cpsa.ie.

The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.

This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.

Domestic

HSE West and North West

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Tenure

There is currently One Permanent Post in Aras Naomh Chaolain, Castlerea and one Permanent Post in Carraroe Day Centre.

A panel may be formed as a result of this campaign for a Domestic, HSE West and North West (Galway, Mayo & Roscommon) from which current and future, 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.

Remuneration

The Salary scale for the post (as at 01/10/24) is :-

€33,240, €35,064 €36,424 €36,991 €37,231 €37,796 €38,376 €38,832 €39,379

(pro rata where hours worked are less than 39hrs per week)

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.

Working Week

As assigned, not greater than 39 hours per week to include out of hours service as assigned by Manager i.e. evening service, weekend duties.

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

Age

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act, 2018* set 70 years as the compulsory retirement age for public servants.

* Public Servants not affected by this legislation:

Public servants joining the public service or re-joining the public service with a 26 week break in service, between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 (new entrants) have no compulsory retirement age.

Probation

Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.

Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act

1998

As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.

Infection Control

Have a working knowledge of Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc.

Health & Safety

It is the responsibility of line managers to ensure that the management of safety, health and welfare is successfully integrated into all activities undertaken within their area of responsibility, so far as is reasonably practicable. Line managers are named and roles and responsibilities detailed in the relevant Site Specific Safety Statement (SSSS).

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing a SSSS for the ward/department/service1, as applicable, based on the identification of hazards and the assessment of risks, and reviewing/updating same on a regular basis (at least annually) and in the event of any significant change in the work activity or place of work.

• Ensuring that Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is integrated into day-to-day business, providing Systems Of Work (SOW) that are planned, organised, performed, maintained and revised as appropriate, and ensuring that all safety related records are maintained and available for inspection.

• Consulting and communicating with staff and safety representatives on OSH matters.

• Ensuring a training needs assessment (TNA) is undertaken for employees, facilitating their attendance at statutory OSH training, and ensuring records are maintained for each employee.

• Ensuring that all incidents occurring within the relevant ward/department/service are appropriately managed and investigated in accordance with HSE procedures.

• Seeking advice from health and safety professionals through the National Health and Safety Function Helpdesk as appropriate.

• Reviewing the health and safety performance of the ward/department/service and staff through, respectively, local audit and performance achievement meetings for example.

Note: Detailed roles and responsibilities of Line Managers are outlined in local SSSS.

[1]A template SSSS and guidelines are available on the National Health and Safety Function, here:

https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/safetywellbeing/about%20us/

2 See link on health and safety web-pages to latest Incident Management Policy

[1]A template SSSS and guidelines are available on the National Health and Safety Function/H&S web-pages