Cleaner

Remuneration

The Salary scale for the post is (as of 01/08/25):

€34,582 - €36,425 - €37,798 - €38,371- €38,613 - €39,184, €39,770, €40,230, €40,783

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.

Reporting Relationship

The person appointed will report to the Support Services Manager or other nominated Line Manager.

Purpose of the Post

Responsible for general cleaning services as identified by the supervisor and to ensure the agreed standards of cleanliness and hygiene are maintained in all areas and appropriately documented in line with national and locally devised policies and regulations as set out in the cleaning guidelines as part of the HIQA standards for safer better healthcare.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Cleaning duties will include:

·        Maintain a high standard of cleanliness of wards, bathrooms, toilets, sluices, corridors, restaurant, clinics, out-patient departments and any other areas to where you are assigned in line with the HIQA standards for safer better healthcare.

·        To comply with work schedules and procedures as outlined in the Policy and Procedures on Cleaning in Tipperary University Hospital.

·        Vacuum, dust, wash and polish floors, walls, windows, equipment etc. as required and to maintain general cleanliness within the departments where he/she works.

·        Cleaning and disinfecting of wash hand basins, toilets, showers and baths as required.

·        Replacing of hand towels, soaps, toilet rolls, etc. as required.

·        Collecting and tagging of Waste and removal of waste to designated holding areas.

·        Attend to spillages immediately to reduce the risk of accidents and report broken or faulty equipment.

·        Damp dusting of beds, lockers, light fittings, dust bins, soap dispensers, hand towel holders, door and window frames, window ledges, skirting boards, walls to hand level, etc. on a structured basis and as required.

·        Cleaning and tidying of storeroom on a structured basis.

·        Collection and removal of soiled linen to designated areas.

·        Change ward curtains and bed screens as per policy.

·        Damp dusting of curtain and bed screen rails on a structured basis.

·        Ensure all cleaning materials are used economically.

·        Assist as required in any department of the hospital and ancillary buildings as may be required and carry out the duties applicable to that department.

·        Convey goods to various parts of the hospital as required.

Health & Safety

·        Adhere to infection control guidelines and attend training sessions as required

·        Be familiar and comply with the Hospital Policies in relation to Health and Safety, Fire, Infection Control, Waste Disposal and Smoking Policy.

·        Attend in-service mandatory training sessions.

·        Report accidents, fire, damage to equipment.

·        Report unsafe conditions and defective equipment to the Support Services Manager or on-site Manager out of hours.

·        When on duty, to report the presence of any unauthorised person to the nurse in charge or to the designated security officer.

·        Tipperary University Hospital is a smoke free campus. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the hospital grounds. The introduction of the Smoke-Free Campus policy is in keeping with Tipperary University Hospital status as a smoke Free Hospital and a Health Promoting Hospital.

Other Responsibilities:

·        ‌To fulfil any other Support Staff duties as requested by the Support Services Manager / Head of Department or Director of Nursing.

·        Tipperary University Hospital will require flexibility in relation to areas where such flexibility is considered to be reasonable in accordance with the competence and safety of staff involved.

·        The appointee is expected to maintain a very good standard of personal hygiene at all times.

·        Receive training on how to operate any new equipment that has been provided to a department or any equipment that is already there.

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 latest date for receiving application forms for the office:

Relevant experience in a hygiene/ cleaning environment in the Healthcare / Hospitality sector

And

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

Depth and breadth of experience in hygiene / cleaning in the Healthcare / Hospitality Sector.

Other requirements specific to the post

Flexibility regarding working hours as role will include working unsocial and flexible hours including evenings and weekends and night duty as this is a 24/7 service.

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.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Professional Knowledge:

·        Demonstrate a good knowledge of the health service and the acute hospital services and the role of Domestic Cleaner.

·        Demonstrate knowledge of relevant legislation e.g. Health and Safety, Infection Control, HACCP.

·        Cleaning duties and in particular, hygiene principles.

Commitment to Quality Service:

·        Demonstrate a commitment to providing a quality service.

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

Planning and Organising:

• Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organisation skills.
• Demonstrate ability to work on own initiative.
• Demonstrate ability to manage tasks/deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks.
• Demonstrate effective analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills.

Teamwork:

• Demonstrate ability to build and maintain relationships, including the ability to work with multi-disciplinary team members and the ability of working on their own initiative

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

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

• Demonstrate good interpersonal skills.

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.

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.

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.

Visit HSE Children First for further information, guidance and resources.