Catering Assistant

Location of Post HSE Dublin & South East

Carlow/Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford

FSS Bhaile Átha Cliath agus an Oirdheiscirt

Cheatharlach, Chill Chainnigh Thiobraid Árann Theas, Phort Láirge, Loch Garman

There are currently:

• 1 permanent whole-time vacancy available in Cashel Residential Services, Cashel, Co. Tipperary

• 6 permanent whole-time vacancies available in St. Anthony’s Nursing Unit, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

• 6 permanent whole-time and 1 permanent part-time vacancies available in St. Columbas Hospital, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny

Please note that there is an existing panel in place for Catering Assistant. The existing panel will take precedence over the supplementary panel created through this campaign for any future posts that arise.

A panel may be formed as a result of this campaign for Catering Assistant from which current and future, permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part-time duration may be filled.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

General Duties

• Adhere in Food Safety Legislation.

• Cleaning of the healthcare setting in accordance with cleaning schedules in place and infection prevention and control guidance.

• Providing additional cleaning inputs as required.

• Assisting with the provision of catering services in line with local and national food safety guidance.

• Managing waste in line with local and national policy.

• Ensuring safe management and storage of service supplies and equipment.

• Completing checklists and food safety records accurately as required.

• Submit orders to replenish supplies /meals in required dietary textures

Quality & Safety

• Support the implementation and evaluation of quality standards and improvement initiatives.

• Work within own role, adhering to current legislation, policies, procedures protocols and guidelines.

• Undertake assigned duties under the direction of Catering Management in such a way as to ensure that service is of a high standard.

• Report all complaints in accordance with service policy.

• Ensure all actions support the enhancement of a person-centred service and a person-centred culture within the team.

• Co-operate with quality reviews/service evaluations and assist with the implementation of any necessary corrective action.

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.

• Adhere to all policies for the health service.

• Maintain a safe and healthy environment for one’s own self and others in accordance with infection control policies and procedures.

• Be familiar with and adhere to all waste management policies and procedures.

• Be familiar with the requirements stated with the Risk Management Strategy and comply with Risk Management Incident/Near Miss Reporting Policies and Procedures.

• Comply with hygiene services requirements in area of responsibility. Hygiene Services incorporates environment and facilities, hand hygiene, catering, cleaning, waste and equipment.

• Take reasonable care for his or her own action and the effect they may have upon the safety of others.

• Foster and support a quality improvement culture in relation to hygiene services.

• Be responsible for Quality and Risk Management, Hygiene Service and Health and Safety that will be clarified to you in the induction process and by your Line Manager.

• Co-operate with management, attend Health and Safety related training and not undertake any task for which they have not been authorised and adequately trained.

• Bring to the attention of your Line Manager any perceived shortcoming in the safety arrangements or any defects in work equipment.

• Adhere to hygiene/decontamination standards for resident equipment and maintain a safe environment.

Education and Training

• Attend and actively participate in all training included in the induction programme.

• Attend and participate in all induction training and refresher mandatory/statutory in-service education and training relevant to area thereafter.

• Ensure that knowledge and skills are updated to maintain safe standards of care for patients.

• Seek opportunities to engage in reflection.

• Participate in in-service educational and training programmes and avail of other learning activities, as requested, to maintain/develop competence.

• Is familiar with the relevant National and Regional Policies Procedure and 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

o Children First Guidelines

o National Standards

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING GENERAL CONDITIONS:

• Employees must attend fire training annually (currently online) and must observe fire orders.

• Employees must attend HACCP training.

• All incidents within the service 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 Service Sites is not permitted.

• Uniform code must be adhered to where in place.

• Present to work wearing the agreed attire and identification, having regard to the highest standard of attire and personal hygiene.

• Provide information that is timely and accurate that meets service need.

• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Health care, 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.

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

• Staff will work in accordance with the principles and values of recovery.

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 closing date for receipt of applications:

• Possess a good general standard of education

And

• Possess a competent level of spoken and written English

And

• Relevant experience in a catering environment in the healthcare / Hospitality sector.

Health

Candidates 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

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Post Specific Requirements

Depth and breadth of experience in providing a catering service to clients who require various dietary choices/textures.

Other requirements specific to the post

Access to suitable transport and full, unendorsed Irish driving licence is a requirement for the role.

Additional eligibility requirements: Citizenship Requirements

Eligible candidates must be:

(i) EEA, Swiss, or British citizens

OR

(ii) Non-European Economic Area citizens with permission to reside and work in the State

Read Appendix 2 of the Additional Campaign Information for further information on accepted Stamps for Non-EEA citizens resident in the State, including those with refugee status.

To qualify candidates must be eligible by the closing date of the campaign.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Professional Knowledge/Experience

• Demonstrates awareness of the role of Catering Staff.

• Demonstrates knowledge of Health & Safety Regulations.

• Demonstrates knowledge and compliance with local health & safety policies and procedures, e.g. manual handling, infection control.

• Demonstrates awareness for actual and potential risk in the workplace/department.

• Demonstrates an ability to assess a crisis/conflict situation and make an appropriate response in line with policies and procedures at local level.

Planning & Organising

• Demonstrates evidence of effective planning and organising skills.

• Demonstrates flexible approach to work.

• Demonstrates ability to work on own initiative.

Teamwork Skills

• Demonstrate the ability to work independently as well as part of a wider healthcare team.

• Demonstrate the ability to build and maintaining relationships.

• Demonstrate an understanding and valuing individuals and their respective professional roles.

• Demonstrate the ability to maintain open communication channels with team members and others as appropriate.

• Demonstrate the ability to react constructively to setbacks and is able to receive feedback.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Demonstrate effective communication skills both written and verbal 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.

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

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

• Possess competent level of computer skills to complete online training / records.

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 progressing 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.

Read more about the HSE’s commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion.

Tenure

The current vacancies available are permanent and whole time/part-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.

Working Week

The standard weekly working hours of attendance for your grade are 39 hours per week. Your normal weekly working hours are 39 hours. Contracted hours that are less than the standard weekly working hours for your grade will be paid pro rata to the full time equivalent.

You are required to work agreed roster/on-call arrangements advised by your Reporting Manager.

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.

All Mandated Persons under the Children First Act 2015, within the HSE, are appointed as Designated Officers under the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act, 1998.

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post as at the 1.8.25 is:

35,547 – 37,409 – 38,528 – 39,294 – 39,958 – 40,816 – 41,340 – 42,233 – 43,150

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.