Domestic PC0172025

Location of Post

Donegal Primary Care Services - St. Conal’s Campus, Letterkenny

AND

Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH), Letterkenny.

There is currently 1 permanent whole-time vacancy available in St. Conal’s Campus, Letterkenny.

There is currently 1 permanent whole-time and 2 temporary whole-time vacancies available in Letterkenny University Hospital.

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

Reporting Relationship

The job holder will report directly to Domestic Supervisor or other designated Manager.

LUH: The Facilities Manager via the Domestic Supervisor

Key Working Relationships

The appointed person will report to their Domestic Services Supervisor who is responsible for the supervision of Domestic Staff who also reports to Line Manager and Service Manager.

Purpose of the Post

To deliver a high standard of quality housekeeping and catering to patients/ residents through the provision of a clean environment and the prevention of cross infection. The post holder will ensure implementation of IPC and Hygiene standards as delineated in Safer, better hospital standards (HIQA 2012) and in keeping with National Infection Control Policies and HIQA Hygiene Standards.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The person holding the 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 deliver this principle.

·        To deliver a high standard of quality housekeeping and catering to patient/resident/HSE staff through implementation of IPC measures and Hygiene standards and frequencies as set out by HIQA.

·        You will be responsible to ensure you work within your scope of practice.

·        To attend for duty as assigned by the Domestic Supervisor.

·        To work as part of a team in providing high quality standards and efficient cleaning service to all departments.

·        The post holder must maintain awareness of the privacy of patients/residents in relation to all activities.

·        The post holder may be tasked with housekeeping and catering duties as part of their daily duties.

·        Teamwork is a specific requirement of the post as you will be working with multidisciplinary teams.

·        You will report to your Domestic Service Supervisors.

·        The post holder will adhere to Health and Safety regulations and all policies and procedures as guidelines provided to you upon induction.

Your post will consist of:

·        Collection of cleaning materials and trolley.

·        Empty and clean bins inside and out.

·        Check and clean toilets, sinks, baths, and showers.

·        Legionella flush as per protocol.

·        Dust control, vacuum, mop, buff all floors.

·        Damp dust windows, doors, lockers, beds, tables, door frames, high dust bed rails, light fittings.

·        Change bed screens and window curtains as required.

·        Record keeping of all duties.

·        Report broken equipment or equipment due for service.

·        Maintain cleaning equipment and leave clean for next person to use.

·        Checklist must be signed and dated as per protocol.

LETTERKENNY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

The Housekeeping Department at Letterkenny University Hospital provides cleaning service for all Units and Departments in the hospital. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 day a week.

The hours of work for all services will/can include:

·        Night Duty

·        Evening duty

·        Weekend Work

·        Unsocial Hours

·        Shift work

Cleaning

·        Ensure a high standard of hygiene is maintained in the area he/she is assigned to in line with on-going Infection Control Guidelines and Hospital policies.

·        In line with best practice clean uniforms must be worn at all times when on duty, personal protective equipment/clothing must be used when cleaning isolated/infected areas within the hospital.

·        Staff must ensure that they comply with and use the hospital’s hygiene colour coding system in place.

·        Using the appropriate cleaning systems in place (i.e. Flat Mopping System) staff must ensure that all designated wards/public areas are cleaned and maintained to a high standard (i.e. free from dirt and grime).

·        All cleaning schedules/ward cleaning programmes must be followed and regular sign off must be adhered to in line with best practical guidelines (i.e. HIQA, BICSc, Clean Pass, National Hospitals Office – Cleaning Guidelines 2006 ).

·        All cleaning equipment must be cleaned (i.e. free from dirt and grime) and stored appropriately at the end of each shift in the designated storing facility.

·        Staff must adhere to all standard operating cleaning procedures. (SOP’s)

·        Cleaning products to be kept in locked unit/press. Staff must be familiar with the relevant safety data sheets surrounding cleaning/chemical products.

·        In line with best practice and under the Health and Safety Regulations all appropriate hazard alert signs to be used when washing, cleaning and buffing public/ward floors.

·        In accordance with ward/department cleaning schedules all high/low and horizontal surfaces must be cleaned and free from dirt and grime.

·        In accordance with ward/department cleaning schedules all chairs and tables, and patient surface areas must be clean and free from dirt and grime.

·        In accordance with cleaning schedules all doors/window frames, radiators skirting boards and waste bins must be clean and free from dirt and grime.

·        In accordance with ward/department cleaning schedules all bathrooms/shower areas must be free from dirt and grime. In line with best practice the protocol for sign off (paper or electronic) of all bathroom cleaning schedules must be adhered to.

·        Regular schedules must be adhered to, to ensure all areas within the Ward/Department (i.e. clean/dirty utility rooms, store cupboards offices, visitors rooms must be clean and free from dirt and grime.

·        All appropriate checklists and sign-off sheets (paper or electronic) i.e. Toilet Check Sheets, must be completed as required.

·        Use of colour coding cleaning cloths and equipment in line with hospital guidelines.

Waste

·        In line with best practice all guidelines including local policies around the bagging/tagging and storage of waste, must be strictly adhered to, all staff must familiarise themselves with local waste policies and colour codes.

·        All waste bins must be clean and free from dirt and grime, cleaning schedules must be adhered to.

·        All waste must be stored in a safe environment. Staff must ensure that waste is tagged and secured prior to collection.

·        All staff must support re-cycling projects currently in operation within their working environment.

Education

·        All Housekeeping staff must attend Mandatory Education within the organisation. (i.e. Hand Hygiene, Manual Handling, Fire Lectures, etc.) Along with other training as required, i.e. online training.

·        Staff must familiarise themselves and adhere to Infection Control Guidelines when cleaning isolated/infected ward/patient areas.

·        All support service staff must familiarise and observe safe methods of work and must comply with all Local /National Policies in relation to Health and Safety, Fire Regulations, Infection Control Guidelines, Hand Hygiene, and Waste Disposal.

·        Staff may be asked to attend regular department team meetings to ensure that the service delivery to patients is of the highest standard.

·        All defective equipment must be reported to the Domestic Supervisor or Ward Manager.

Operational

·        To maintain a good standard of personal hygiene and ensure that uniform/personal protective clothing and ID card/ name badge is worn.

·        To report on and off duty to the Domestic Supervisors and adhere to agreed schedule meal breaks.

·        Staff are expected to work as part of a team in delivering a first class service to the hospital. A “can do will do” attitude is expected of staff at all times.

·        Rotation of duties may occur and staff will be expected to be flexible to support the continuous service delivery to patients.

·        Staff must practice good hand hygiene as per the 5 Moments of Hand Hygiene.

·        In line with the Public Health Act 2004 (Tobacco) smoking within the Hospital campus is not permitted, this includes e-cigarettes.

Risk Management, Quality, Health & Safety

The Management of Risk, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health and 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 and training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility.

·        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.

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

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

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.

AND

·        Candidates must possess 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 depth and breadth of experience in working in the cleaning/catering and or hospitality industry.

Other requirements specific to the post

Access to transport as the post may involve travel.

Working a flexible roster including unsocial hours, out of hours etc.

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

·     Demonstrate knowledge of HIQA and Hygiene (cleaning) Standards and the requirements in this role to adhere to same.

·     Demonstrate knowledge of cleaning to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.

·     Demonstrate knowledge in the area of healthcare or cleaning duties in a relevant service.

·     Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge to best practice.

·     Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development.

·     Demonstrate ability to work under pressure.

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

·     Demonstrate knowledge of HSELand website for training and education.

Teamwork

·        Demonstrate ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

·        Demonstrate motivation and an innovative approach to post.

·        Demonstrate ability to present neat and tidy appearance.

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

Planning and Organising

·        Demonstrate evidence of ability to work effectively and efficiently.

·        Demonstrate flexible approach – to working hours, rostering, e.g., unsocial hours/shift work, night duty.

·        Demonstrate ability to work on own initiative.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

·        Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.

·        Demonstrate ability to communicate with colleague in a professional and dignified manner.

·        Demonstrate ability to listen openly.

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.

Tenure

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.

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post is: (as at 01/03/2025)

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.