Multi Task Attendant

South East Community Healthcare Older Persons Services, Mental Health Services and Intellectual Disability Services (Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford) There are currently a number of permanent whole time and part time vacant posts in South East Community Healthcare.

The initial vacancies in Older Person Services are in:

• Cashel Residential Older Persons Services
• St. Anthony’s Unit, Clonmel, Tipperary
• St. Theresa’s Hospital, Clogheen
• Dungarvan Community Hospital
• Gorey District Hospital
• New Houghton Hospital, New Ross
• St. John’s Community Hospital, Enniscorthy
• St. Columba’s Hospital, Thomastown

The initial vacancies are in Mental Health Services are in:

• Croi An Tobair, Oylegate, Wexford
• POLL Selskar Unit, Wexford Town
• The Willows, Ardamine, Courtown, Gorey

The initial vacancies are in Disability Services are in:

• Wexford Residential Disability Services

The successful candidates may be required to work in any service area within the vicinity as the need arises. Please note that there are existing panels in place for multi-task attendants (Community) for South East Community Healthcare. 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 Older Persons Services, Mental Health Services and Intellectual Disability Services, South East Community Healthcare - Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford from which current and future, permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part-time duration may be filled. Principal Duties and Responsibilities Service needs will require movement of Multi Task Attendant staff between wards/departments/relief duties as directed. The duties of the Multi Task Attendant will be dependent on the individual needs of the care setting. Below is an outline of the principal duties a Multi Task Attendant may carry out, as assigned and as directed.

• The post holder will support the principle that care of the patient comes first at all times and will approach their 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’s awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all hospital activities.
• Performance management systems are part of the role and you will be required to participate in the Group’s performance management programme

Maintaining a Safe Environment:

• The Multi Task Attendant will assist in maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff.
• Be knowledgeable of the contents of the Ward/Department Health and Safety Statement.
• Be familiar with and comply with hospital policies i.e. Health & Safety, Safety Statements, Fire, National Standards Authority I.S. 343 Food Safety Management
• (incorporating HACCP), Infection Control, Waste Disposal, Needle Stick Injury, Smoking Policy, Patient Charter, Manual Handling
• Be knowledgeable of the procedure in the event of a fire in the unit/ hospital.
• Practice and promote best practice regarding hospital hygiene including hand-washing.
• Assist in keeping all ward or unit areas clean and tidy.
• Move, or assist in moving equipment and furniture as necessary.
• Washing and making up occupied and unoccupied bed.
• Returning trays and equipment to proper storage.
• Attending to the hygiene of equipment such as I.V. stands, hoists, bed cages, patient chairs, commodes and other ward equipment.
• Attend to spillage by isolating and dealing with them as quickly as possible in order to prevent accidents.
• Assist in the disposal of clinical waste according to hospital / service policy.
• Clean procedure trolleys after their use.
• Assist patient’s mobility safely within the ward.
• Escort/transfer patients within the hospital as required.
• Prepare ward and bed areas for the reception of new patients.
• Assist with the safe keeping of patient’s personal property.
• Report broken or unsafe equipment needing repair / replacement.
• Sort soiled laundry and prepare for collection.
• Sort and store clean laundry.

Communication: Effective communication is a valuable social attribute and a core skill. The Multi Task Attendant will:

• Assist in maintaining a physical environment that communicates peace, safety, comfort, for patients and their families.
• Communicate openly with the nursing staff regarding patients and relative’s needs.
• Direct all inquiries regarding a patient’s condition, both telephone and verbal enquires to a member of the nursing staff.
• The Multi Task Attendant is obliged to maintain confidentiality. This applies to information accessed through interactions with patients and their relatives or through interactions with other ward staff. However there is also an obligation to report to the staff nurse, or other relevant authority, any information that may indicate the potential risk to any person.

Patient Care: Eating and Drinking: The Multi Task Attendant has a role in ensuring that patient’s dietary requirements are met. Under the direction of the nursing staff the Multi Task Attendant will:

• Assist patients in preparation for their meals, (for example to use toilet facilities and to wash hands before meals).
• Prepare the environment by making it as aesthetically pleasant as possible by removing unnecessary items
• Assist patients as directed by nursing staff.
• Encouraging patients to drink, offer refreshing.

Elimination: The Multi Task Attendant will:

• Assist patients to toilet.
• Supervise patients in toilets and bathrooms when necessary.
• Dispose of used sputum containers.
• Attend to patient’s soiled personal laundry.
• Adhere to the universal precautions identified in the infection control policy document.

Dressing and Personal Hygiene: The Multi Task Attendant will contribute to patients’ comfort and maintenance of personal dignity. This may include:

• Assisting patients in shower or bath.
• Helping patients to dress and groom in accordance with their wishes.

Controlling body temperature: The Multi Task Attendant will contribute to this function in the following ways:

• By taking appropriate measures as instructed by the nursing staff to ensure maintenance of body temperature.

Mobilising: The Multi Task Attendant will help patients to maintain or regain their independence by assisting the patient to mobilise in the following ways:

• Position patients comfortably and in a manner that enables movement while sitting in a chair.
• Provide patients with aids that enhance opportunities for mobility in consultation with the nursing staff.
• Participate in moving and handling patients as directed and according to Manual Handling Guidelines.
• Report all falls/ near miss falls to the nursing staff.

Care of Dying Patient: The Multi Task Attendant’s role will include the following:

• Establishing a quiet, comfortable and dignified environment for the ill/dying patient and their family members.
• Listening with respect and empathy to relatives.
• Providing comforting and refreshing drinks or snacks for relatives as required.
• Organisation of the deceased’s belongings for their return to the family.

Contribute as part of the Ward Team: The Multi Task Attendant as a key member of the ward team may be requested to undertake other activities which help in the smooth running of the ward/department. These may include:

• Delivering specimens as directed.
• Checking ward stocks and listing those that need recording, i.e. pads and nappies.
• Maintaining orderly storage of supplies.
• Storing patient’s belongings in an appropriate manner in accordance with hospital policy.
• Preparing special drinks / snacks for patients.
• Report to the nursing staff, any requests from patients or relatives.
• Report to the nursing staff, any complaints of pain, distress and/or other concerns expressed by patient/family.
• Undertake training and development of further skills as directed by the Director of Nursing / Designated Officer.
• The Ward Manager may request other appropriate tasks to be undertaken to meet ward and other patient care needs.
• Support nursing staff in documentation i.e. filing and maintaining records specifically in relation to activities and infection control.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING GENERAL CONDITIONS:

• Employees must attend fire lectures annually and must 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 Acts 2005 and 2010 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 is not permitted.
• Hospital uniform code must be adhered to.
• Provide information that meets the need of Senior Management.
• To 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 to enable them to meet this responsibility.
• The post holder has a duty to familiarise themselves with the relevant Organisational Policies, Procedures & 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
• The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they become familiar with the requirements stated within the Risk Management Strategy and that they comply with the Group’s Risk Management Incident/Near miss reporting Policies and Procedures.
• The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they comply with hygiene services requirements in your area of responsibility. Hygiene Services incorporates environment and facilities, hand hygiene, catering, cleaning, the management of laundry, waste, sharps and equipment
• The post holder must foster and support a quality improvement culture through-out your area of responsibility in relation to hygiene services.
• The post holders’ responsibility for Quality & Risk Management, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety will be clarified to you in the induction process and by your line manager.
• The post holder must take reasonable care for his or her own actions and the effect that these may have upon the safety of others.
• The post holder must cooperate with management, attend Health & Safety related training and not undertake any task for which they have not been authorised and adequately trained.
• The post holder is required to bring to the attention of a responsible person any perceived shortcoming in our safety arrangements or any defects in work equipment.
• It is the post holder’s responsibility to be aware of and comply with the HSE Health Care Records Management/Integrated Discharge Planning (HCRM / IDP) Code of Practice.

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 closing date: 1. Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc (a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition: i. Possess the relevant QQI Further Education and Training (FET) Level 5 Certificate in Health Service Skills. Or ii. FETAC Level 5 Certificate in Health Service Skills or Healthcare Support. Or iii. A relevant healthcare qualification. Or iv. Be currently employed an Attendant, Multi-Task or a comparable role and be willing to undertake a QQI/FET Level 5 programme in Health Service skills or equivalent. And (b) Candidates must have the personal competence and capacity to properly discharge the duties of the role.

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 Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience of working in healthcare facilities or similar controlled environments as relevant to the role. Other requirements specific to the post Flexibility with regard to working hours, so demands of the post will be met. Access to appropriate transport to fulfil the requirements of the role. Successful candidates for Multi-Task Attendant post will require undertaking training of relevant Health Skills FETAC level 5 qualification (MTA) (if not already in receipt of Fetac Level 5 qualification or equivalent relevant Health Care qualification).

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge Demonstrates the following: Professional Knowledge

• Demonstrate evidence of experience working in a healthcare environment
• Demonstrate knowledge of Health & Safety regulations
• Demonstrate knowledge of Health Services and role of Multi task Attendant
• Demonstrate evidence of knowledge of EHO, HIQA, Mental Health Commission and HACCP regulations and the requirements in this role to adhere to same.
• 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

Planning & Organising

• Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organising skills
• Demonstrate flexible approach - to working hours, rostering e.g. unsocial hours/shift work, night duty, on call, attitude to work
• Demonstrate ability to work on own initiative
• Demonstrate good organisational ability with practical competence

Teamwork Skills

• Demonstrate ability to work as a member of team and make positive contributions to that team.
• Demonstrate motivation and an innovative approach to job.
• Demonstrate ability to present a neat and tidy appearance
• Demonstrate ability to carry out instructions and appreciate the importance of providing quality care to patients

Commitment to Providing a Quality Service

• Demonstrate ability to work in a customer focussed environment
• Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect
• Demonstrate commitment to providing a quality service
• Demonstrate motivation to fulfil the role and contribute to improving the service
• Demonstrate the ability to maintain confidentiality

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

Remuneration

The Salary scale for the post as of 01/03/2023 is: €31,723 - €33,158 - €34,670 - €35,072 - €36,039 - €36,912 - €38,142 - €39,416 - €40,738. 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.