Domestic Supervisor

The Domestic Supervisor will be responsible for the overall day to day running of the Domestic Services Department.

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 through working and communicating with Domestic Staff.

·        Performance management systems are part of role and the successful candidate will be required to participate in performance management programme

·        Ensure that the highest standard of hygiene and cleanliness is maintained as per HIQA standards and guidelines,

·        Liaise with Ward Managers and Heads of each Department to ensure a high standard of service in cleaning services is maintained in their areas.

·        Liaise with Infection Prevention and Control Manager and Assistant Director of Nursing as required.

·        Undertake any other duties appropriate to the position assigned by the Service Manager/General Manager/Head of Service.

·        Comply with all aspects of the Health Service Executive regulations, Codes of Practice, National Standards and all Policies, Procedures, Protocols and Guidelines governing the facility.

·        Drive continuous quality improvement through a team based approach demonstrating effective management and regular performance monitoring of service delivery

Personnel/Team Management

·        Liaise and communicate with staff from all services and departments in order to achieve highest standards of hygiene service delivery.

·        Supervise staff in performing duties in compliance with agreed responsibilities and best practices.

·        Supervise the quality of hygiene service delivery and manage corrective actions required to address deficits by means of daily walkabouts and technical audit.

·        Monitoring of sickness/absence and implementation of local and national control measures at department Level. Proactively manage staff attendance.

·        Participate in managerial audits as required.

·        Environmental audits undertaken of all areas following cleaning and follow up on any actions that follow namely; QIP’s and KPI’s to be signed off in a timely manner.

Administration

·        To supervise daily and audit the cleaning of all ward/ patient areas to include cleaning equipment within remit of responsibility.

·        Proper disposal of all household and clinical waste in compliance with the waste policy.

·        Participate in preparation for audits and ensure non-conformances and observations are corrected.

·        Liaising with and notifying staff, responsible for rosters/allocation of overtime/keeping training records up-to-date and arranging training/venues.

·        Time entry on SAP

·        Controlling all cleaning materials, ensuring there are only ordered as required and they are signed off prior to ordering and also ensure stock rotation, ensuring all materials are used economically as per product guidelines.

·        Ensure that the flushing programme is carried out as per agreed guidelines in all areas and completed checklists forwarded to the maintenance department.

·        Ensure that all staff under his /her remit maintains the highest of personal hygiene and cleanliness and that they comply at all times with the Uniform Policy.

·        Ensure that there is a high standard of discipline and adherence to policy within all staff under his /her remit.

·        Support training and education relevant to personal development and development of hygiene services staff, including but not limited to mandatory training.

·        Contribute to the development of policies procedures protocols and guidelines pertaining to household/ linen services.

·        Collate analyse and manage data/ records arising from the hygiene services in a confidential secure manner.

·        Ensure monthly staff meetings with each group of staff and follow up with Business Manager-Support Services on any issue raised.

·        Any other duty assigned to the post holder from time to time by the Service Manager/ Business Manager-Support Services

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.

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

·        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 correct use and storage of chemical agents within the hospital.

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

Ø  Continuous Quality Improvement Initiatives

Ø  Document Control Information Management Systems

Ø  Risk Management Strategy and Policies

Ø  Hygiene Related Policies, Procedures and Guidelines

Ø  Decontamination Code of Practice

Ø  Infection Control Policies

Ø  Safety Statement, Health & Safety Policies and Fire Procedure

Ø  GDPR 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 above Job Specification 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 them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and/ or experience

Candidates must have at the latest date of application: -

1.      Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

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

(i)     Possess a Junior Certificate (or equivalent qualification)

AND

(ii) Have a minimum of 3 years working in the cleaning/catering and /or hospitality industry with experience working large numbers in a busy environment.

AND

(b) Candidates must have the personal competence and capacity to properly discharge the duties 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.

Post Specific Requirements

Candidates must:

•        Demonstrate satisfactory experience in a supervisory/ management role.

•        Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in working in the cleaning/catering and/or hospitality industry.

Other requirements specific to the post

Access to appropriate transport to fulfil the requirements of the role.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Candidates must demonstrate:

·        Sufficient clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning skills and evidence based practice to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.

·        That he/she practices nursing care safely and effectively, fulfilling her / his professional responsibility within her / his scope of practice.

·        That he/she practices in accordance with legislation affecting nursing practice.

·        The ability to plan and organise effectively.

·        A commitment to providing a quality service.

·        The ability to build and maintain relationships including the ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

·        Effective analytical, problem solving and decision making skills.

·        Excellent communication skills, including sufficient command of the English language so as to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.

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

·        A commitment to continuing professional development.

·        An awareness of developments within the HSE.

·        Knowledge of the HSE Transformation Programme.

·        A willingness to engage and develop Information Technology skills relevant to the role.

Campaign Specific Selection Process

Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview

A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting 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 ranking 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.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

The HSE is an equal opportunities employer.

Employees of the HSE bring a range of skills, talents, diverse thinking and experience to the organisation. The HSE believes passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to its success – we aim to develop the workforce of the HSE so that it reflects the diversity of HSE service users and to strengthen it through accommodating and valuing different perspectives. Ultimately this will result in improved service user and employee experience. 

The HSE is committed to creating a positive working environment whereby all employees inclusive of age, civil status, disability, ethnicity and race, family status, gender, membership of the Traveller community, religion and sexual orientation are respected, valued and can reach their full potential. The HSE aims to achieve this through development of an organisational culture where injustice, bias and discrimination are not tolerated.

The HSE welcomes people with diverse backgrounds and offers a range of supports and resources to staff, such as those who require a reasonable accommodation at work because of a disability or long term health condition.

For further information on the HSE commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, please visit the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion web page at https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/diversity/

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 CPSA is responsible for establishing the principles that should be followed when making an appointment. These are set out in the CPSA Code of Practice. The Code outlines the standards that should be adhered to at each stage of the selection process and sets out the review and appeal mechanisms open to candidates should they be unhappy with a selection process.

The CPSA Code of Practice can be accessed via https://www.cpsa.ie/.

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

This Job Specification 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 Supervisor

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Tenure

The current vacancy available is permanent and whole time.

The post is pensionable. A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage.

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

Remuneration

The Salary scale for the post is: (as at 01/10/2024)

€39,710 - €46,588 per year

Working Week

The standard working week applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job Offer stage.

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 Contracting 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.

Public servants, joining the public service or re-joining the public service after a 26 week break, after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Pension Scheme and have a compulsory retirement age of 70.

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 Children Guidance and Legislation

The welfare and protection of children is the responsibility of all HSE staff. You must be aware of and understand your specific responsibilities under the Children First Act 2015, the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 in accordance with Section 2, Children First National Guidance and other relevant child safeguarding legislation and policies.

Some staff have additional responsibilities such as Line Managers, Designated Officers and Mandated Persons. You should check if you are a Designated Officer and / or a Mandated Person and be familiar with the related roles and legal responsibilities.

For further information, guidance and resources please visit: HSE Children First webpage.

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. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.

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 department/service[1], 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 department/service are appropriately managed and investigated in accordance with HSE procedures[2].

•        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 writing your site or service safety statement.

2 Structures and processes for effective incident management and review of incidents.