Hygiene Attendant

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post is (as at 01/06/2026):

€35,433; €37,294; €38,681; €39,260; €39,504; €40,081; €40,673; €41,137; €41,696

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.

Purpose of the Post

The provision of high-quality hygiene services to all patients, including cleaning, laundry, and waste management, in line with hospital and national infection control guidelines, national cleaning standards, and HIQA standards. Support the provision of a high-quality, safe, and professional customer-focused service.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Service needs will require movement of staff between wards, departments, and relief duties as directed. The duties of the Hygiene Attendant will be dependent on the service needs of the care setting. Below is an outline of the principal duties a Hygiene Attendant may carry out, as assigned and directed.

• Support the principle that the care of the patient comes first at all times and approach work with the flexibility and enthusiasm necessary to make this principle a reality for every patient to the greatest possible degree.
• Maintain throughout the Group an awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all hospital activities.
• Participate in the Group's performance management programme.
• Work within the Hygiene Team across ULHG.
• Adhere to the National Cleaning Manual and HIQA standards.
• Be aware of statutory Occupational Health & Safety legislation under the Safety, Health & Welfare Act, 1989.
• Ensure efficient and economical use of materials and equipment.
• Ensure proper use of cleaning materials and equipment, reporting any defects for repair to the Attendant Supervisor.
• Carry the assigned bleep/phone and be contactable at all times.
• Ensure duties are carried out as specified on cleaning schedules, including signing off completed work.
• Work as part of a team and be responsible for the general cleaning and hygiene standards of the service/clinical area as per cleaning specifications and schedules.
• Ensure appropriate quality standards and protocols are completed.
• Be aware of and comply with HSE policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and comply with directives, guidelines, and recommendations from statutory bodies relating to Health & Safety, Manual Handling, Infection Control, Environmental Health, HIQA, and Waste Management.
• Observe hospital policies and procedures regarding discretion and confidentiality relating to patients and/or their families.
• Present for work in full, clean uniform at the rostered time.
• Demonstrate a friendly and cooperative attitude towards visitors, relatives, and staff.
• Rotate with roster duties when required.
• Undertake all training and retraining as requested by Hospital Management and keep up to date with new methods of food handling, service, and cleaning in compliance with Infection Control Standards.
• Be fully aware of and comply with policies relating to fire outbreaks, the Major Emergency Plan, and other emergencies, and participate in emergency responses.
• Participate in the induction of new staff as directed.
• Take all necessary steps to ensure maximum security in the department (locking doors, windows) in your area of assignment and all equipment and supplies therein.
• Support Services operates over 7 days per week. Working hours may include night duty, evening duty, weekend work, unsocial hours, and shift work.
• Ensure consistency with documentation practices, adhere to regulatory requirements, retrieve documents upon request, and organise archival documents.
• Ensure adequate cleaning stock is ordered and available.
• Comply with the digital system used by the Hospital to maintain and update hygiene services data.

General

• Comply with all uniform and hygiene requirements, including appropriate cleaning attire required for infection control, and complete all mandatory training.
• This post may be subject to restructuring in the future to facilitate the reorganisation of acute services in line with clinical models of acute care and service needs.
• The reform programme for the Health Services may impact this role, and as structures change, the job description may be reviewed.
• Carry out daily duties with regard to patients' dignity and privacy, in line with HIQA Standards for Better Safer Healthcare.
• Carry out duties with compassion, respect, and consideration for both patients and other staff.
• Be accountable for the provision of your work and perform in an efficient, effective, and high-standard manner.
• Wear the prescribed uniform at all times and use protective clothing, footwear, gloves, etc., as required by Hospital Uniform Policy and appropriate to the service area.

KPIs

• Identify and develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) aligned with the Hospital's service plan targets.
• Develop Action Plans to address KPI targets.
• Drive and promote a Performance Management culture.
• Assist, in conjunction with the line manager, in developing a Performance Management system for your profession.
• Manage and deliver KPIs as a routine and core business objective.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING GENERAL CONDITIONS

• Employees must attend fire lectures periodically and observe fire orders.
• All accidents within the Department 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 Hospital buildings and grounds is not permitted.
• Hospital uniform code must be adhered to.
• Provide information that meets the needs of Senior Management.
• 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 required to meet this responsibility.
• The post holder has a duty to familiarise themselves with the relevant Organisational Policies, Procedures, and Standards and attend training as appropriate in the following areas:
• Ensure compliance with the Group's Risk Management Strategy and Incident/Near Miss Reporting Policies and Procedures.
• Ensure compliance with hygiene service requirements in your area of responsibility. Hygiene Services include environment and facilities, hand hygiene, catering, cleaning, laundry management, waste, sharps, and equipment.
• Foster and support a quality improvement culture throughout your area of responsibility in relation to hygiene services.
• Responsibilities for Quality & Risk Management, Hygiene Services, and Health & Safety will be clarified during induction and by your line manager.
• Take reasonable care for your own actions and the effect they may have on the safety of others.
• Cooperate with management, attend Health & Safety training, and do not undertake tasks for which you have not been authorised or adequately trained.
• Bring to the attention of a responsible person any perceived shortcomings in safety arrangements or defects in work equipment.

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 appropriate to the post, as assigned from time to time, and contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility CriteriaQualifications and/or Experience

Eligible applicants will be those who, on the closing date for the competition:

(i) Have second-level education to Junior Certificate level at a minimum, including passes in five subjects.

Or

(ii) Have completed a relevant examination at a comparable standard in an equivalent examination in another jurisdiction.

And

(iii) Have previous experience working in a household or catering environment in a healthcare setting (e.g. Hospital, Nursing Home, Day Care Facility) or in the hospitality sector.

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 that indicates a reasonable prospect of rendering regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for, and any person holding, the office must be of good character.

Post Specific Requirements

• Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience relevant to the role of Hygiene Attendant.
• Flexibility regarding working hours to meet the demands of the service, as the post operates 24/7.
• Possess a competent level of spoken and written English to compile HACCP and HIQA documents.

Skills, Competencies and/or KnowledgeProfessional Knowledge & Experience

Demonstrate:

• Knowledge of Infection Prevention & Control, HIQA standards, and the requirements of the role.
• Knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.
• Knowledge in the area of healthcare.
• Ability to apply knowledge to best practice.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.
• Commitment to assuring high standards and striving for a patient-centred service.
• Knowledge of basic food hygiene.

Teamwork

Demonstrate:

• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Motivation and an innovative approach to the job.
• Ability to present a neat and tidy appearance.
• Ability to carry out instructions and appreciate the importance of providing quality care to patients.

Planning and Organising

Demonstrate:

• Ability to plan work effectively and efficiently.
• Flexibility regarding working hours and rostering, including unsocial hours, shift work, night duty, and on-call requirements.
• Ability to work on your own initiative.
• Ability to work under pressure.

Quality & Patient/Customer Focus

Demonstrate:

• A focus on quality.
• Ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives, and colleagues with dignity and respect.
• Motivation to fulfil the role and contribute to improving the service.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Demonstrate:

• Effective communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to communicate with colleagues in a professional and respectful manner.
• Ability to communicate with patients in a compassionate, respectful, and dignified manner.
• A competent level of spoken and written English to compile HACCP and other documents.
• Ability to listen openly, using questions to check understanding and avoid misinterpretation.
• Excellent communication skills, including sufficient command of the English language to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.

Campaign Specific Selection ProcessRanking/Shortlisting/Interview

A ranking and/or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of the 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 consider 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 called to interview in bands, depending on the service needs of the organisation.