Multi-Task Attendant

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post is:

€36,651, €38,130, €39,687, €40,101, €41,118, €41,998, €43,264, €44,577, €45,939

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 role of the Multi Task Attendant (MTA) is to work as part of a team in the delivery of high quality, person centred direct and indirect care to patients/ residents/ service users, under the direction of the services manager/qualified nursing/other designated officer.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Service needs will require movement of Attendant staff between wards/departments/relief duties as directed. The duties of the 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.

• Assist and support patients, attend to the needs of the patient including moving and handling of patients, fitting of equipment etc.

• Maintain stock levels, order from stores department, collect and organise storage of stock.

• When directed be responsible for the general cleaning of the service area as identified by the Supervisor and ensure the agreed standard of cleanliness and hygiene are maintained in all areas and appropriately documented in line with national and locally devised policies and regulations.

• When directed be responsible for the preparation and serving of food in line with national and local policies and standards.

• When directed be responsible for the transport of patients and relevant healthcare records and products etc throughout the site.

• Respect patients and their families showing dignity, courtesy and professionalism at all times.

• Act as an advocate for patients, as appropriate.

• Assist in the provision of a quality service and work in line with national and locally devised policies and regulations.

• Maintain the confidentiality of all information made available to him / her during the course of his / her work.

• Maintain a strict code of personal and general hygiene in the work place as per work schedules and existing policies and procedures.

• Carry assigned bleep and be contactable at all times while on duty.

• Report any equipment faults to person in charge and ensure all equipment is stored safely.

Health & Safety

• In accordance with Health and Safety at Work policy, it is each staff members responsibility to observe all rules relating to Health and Safety and Conduct at Work and to use any equipment provided in a safe and responsible manner.

• Understand and adhere to all relevant HSE policies, guidelines and procedures, comply with health and safety, infection control and risk management procedures, comply with statutory obligations.

• Report any incident or potential incident which may compromise the health and safety of patients / residents / staff or visitors and take appropriate action.

• Report any accidents, near misses to the person in charge and ensure completion of incident / near miss forms.

• Not undertake any duty related to patient / resident care for which he/she is not trained.

• Attend training courses as required e.g. Manual Handling, Hygiene, HACCP, Fire Prevention, PMAV etc.

• Conduct in a manner that ensures safe patient/ resident care.

Education & Training

• Attend induction and mandatory in-service training and education.

• As directed participate in the induction of new staff.

• Maintain continuous personal development and participate in team based development, education, training and learning.

• Participate in appraisal and the development of a personal development plan in conjunction with his / her line manager.

Administrative Duties:

• Attend staff meetings and contribute constructively to the smooth running of the Attendant’s roster.

• Contribute to the maintenance of updating of patient / resident documentation.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder will 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

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

Candidate must:

Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience as relevant to the role.

Other requirements specific to the post

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.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Professional Knowledge & Experience

Demonstrates:

• Knowledge of the hospital environment.

• Knowledge of:

o Hygiene Procedures

o Food Hygiene and Food Safety

o Health & Safety

o Infection Control

• Knowledge of Health and Safety as relevant to the role.

• The ability to work in line with relevant policies and procedures.

Planning & Organising

Demonstrates:

• The ability to effectively plan and manage own workload in an effective and methodical

manner.

• The ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks.

Commitment to Providing a Quality Service

Demonstrates:

• A commitment to providing a quality service.

• Awareness and ability to respect and maintain confidentially.

Teamwork

Demonstrates:

• The ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team, promoting a positive team spirit.

• Evidence of being able to work collaboratively with other staff in carrying out work tasks.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Demonstrates:

• Effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.

• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders; treats others with dignity and respect.

Tenure 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.

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.

Mandated Persons such as line managers, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, social workers, social care workers, and emergency technicians have additional responsibilities.

You should check if you are a Mandated Person and be familiar with the related roles and legal responsibilities.

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

Infection Control Have a working knowledge of 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.

Health & Safety It is the responsibility of line managers to ensure that the management of safety, health and welfare is successfully integrated into all activities undertaken within their area of responsibility, so far as is reasonably practicable. Line managers are named and roles and responsibilities detailed in the relevant Site Specific Safety Statement (SSSS).

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing a SSSS for the department/service , as applicable, based on the identification of hazards and the assessment of risks, and reviewing/updating same on a regular basis (at least annually) and in the event of any significant change in the work activity or place of work.

• Ensuring that Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is integrated into day-to-day business, providing Systems Of Work (SOW) that are planned, organised, performed, maintained, and revised as appropriate, and ensuring that all safety related records are maintained and available for inspection.

• Consulting and communicating with staff and safety representatives on OSH matters.

• Ensuring a training needs assessment (TNA) is undertaken for employees, facilitating their attendance at statutory OSH training, and ensuring records are maintained for each employee.

• Ensuring that all incidents occurring within the relevant department/service are appropriately managed and investigated in accordance with HSE procedures .

• Seeking advice from health and safety professionals through the National Health and Safety Function Helpdesk as appropriate.

• Reviewing the health and safety performance of the ward/department/service and staff through, respectively, local audit and performance achievement meetings for example.

Note: Detailed roles and responsibilities of Line Managers are outlined in local SSSS.