Catering Assistant

Location of Post

Mallow General Hospital

There is currently two permanent whole time vacancies available in Mallow General Hospital.

A panel may be created from this campaign for Mallow General Hospital from which current and future, permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full time or part time duration may be filled.

Reporting Relationship

The Catering Assistant will report to the Catering Officer or Designated Officer

Purpose of the Post

To assist with the preparation, cooking and serving of meals on a daily basis to patients, staff and visitors in Mallow General Hospital.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Duties will include:

• Assist with the preparation, cooking and serving of patient and staff meals under the supervision of the Chef Senior and Chef 2 or designated staff.

• Carry out catering duties in the Main Kitchen, Wards, Canteen and any other areas as required.

• Comply with Mallow General Hospital HACCP food safety system and maintain records relating to same.

• Provide a quality catering service to patients, visitors and staff ensuring that the service is of the highest standard.

• Assist with the requisition, storage and distribution of kitchen supplies ensuring proper stock rotation.

• Comply with dietary advice as instructed by the Dietician, Speech & Language Therapist and Nursing Staff and assist in attending to the nutritional needs of patients and staff.

• Distribute menus to patients at ward level adhering to the correct diet for each patient and communicate the requirements to the Main Kitchen.

• Ensure patients on special diets and modified diets receive the correct menus/food and that the Catering Department are aware of any food allergens.

• Ensure that patients with cognitive/communication deficits are given the necessary assistance to help make their preferences known.

• Liaise with the Catering Department with regards to menu changes, admissions and discharges.

• Provide assistance to patients during meals and snack rounds if required e.g. open top of yoghurt.

• Provide fresh drinking water throughout the day. Distribute glasses and jugs of water to patients adhering to Speech and Language recommendations for thickened fluids.

• Make beverages and serve as required and carry out enhanced snack rounds.

• Ensure food waste levels are kept to a minimum and ensure proper portion control.

• Prepare counter area and serve customers in a courteous manner in the Canteen.

• Operate the till in the Canteen.

• Provide a catering service to areas as required e.g. Conference Room.

• Maintain a high standard of hygiene in the area he/she is assigned to. Clean and tidy all areas of the kitchen. Complete daily and weekly cleaning schedules.

• Carry out wash up duties in designated areas.
• Maintain catering equipment and report any faults.

• Ensure all cleaning materials and chemicals are used correctly and economically.

• Comply with work schedules and procedures in designated area.

Other responsibilities:

• Adhere to HSE policies, procedures and guidelines in Nutrition & Hydration standards and National Hygiene Standards.

• Be familiar and comply with the Hospital Policies in relation to Health and Safety, Fire, Infection Control, Hand Hygiene and Waste Management.

• Report any incident or potential incident which may compromise the health and safety of patients, staff or visitors and take appropriate action.

• Report any accidents or near misses and ensure completion of incident forms.

• Assist auditors as required during inspections.

• Assist with special functions as required.

• Attend training courses and meetings as required.

• Complete training on HSE Land as required.

• Maintain confidentiality and dignity and respect of patients and staff.

• Maintain a good standard of personal hygiene, ensuring the dress code and uniform policy are adhered to.

• Undertake night duty, shift duty as required.

• May be required to cross cover areas in Mallow General Hospital due to service needs.

Risk Management, Quality, Health & Safety

·        Adequately identifies, assesses, manages and monitors risk within their area of responsibility.

·        Have a working knowledge of the 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.

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

Education & Training

·        Engage in the HSE performance achievement process in conjunction with your Line Manager and staff as appropriate.

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 have at the latest date of application:

1.      Relevant experience in a catering environment in the healthcare/hospitality sector

And

2.      Have attained such standard of education as would enable him/her to discharge the duties of the post.

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

Candidate must demonstrate:

·        Depth and breadth of experience as relevant to the role.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

The following are the skills, competencies and knowledge considered essential to carry out the duties of the post;

·        Demonstrate experience and a good knowledge of working in a catering environment in the healthcare/hospitality sector in particular hygiene principles and HACCP.

·        Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organisation skills.

·        Demonstrate an awareness and knowledge of Health and Safety issues in relation to the work area.

·        Demonstrate ability to manage tasks and effectively handle multiple tasks.

·        Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the service user.

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

·        Demonstrate excellent communication skills.

·        Demonstrate good interpersonal skills and be able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

·        Demonstrate ability of working on own initiative and be capable of performing duties with the minimum of supervision.

Tenure

The current vacancies available are 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 (Grade Code: 4123) is:

€35,195 €37,039 €38,147 €38,905 €39,562 €40,412 €40,931 €41,815 €42,723 (01/03/2025) (Pro Rata – part time)

Salary Scales are updated periodically and the most up to date versions can be found here:https://healthservice.hse.ie/staff/benefits-services/pay/pay-scales.html

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