Multitask Attendant

Remuneration

The Salary scale for the post as of 01/08/2025 is:

€35,788 €37,252 €38,794 €39,204 €40,211 €41,082 €42,336 €43,636 €44,984

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 aim of the Catering Department is to provide the best possible services to the hospital. You will be working as part of a highly motivated team to maintain a safe, clean environment and so deliver a quality and efficient service to the patients and staff, therefore facilitating a smooth throughput of meals. To carry out multi-task attendant roles relevant to the post, in compliance with HSE and local hospital policy, procedure, protocol and guidelines.

To assist in the care given to all patients, clients, relatives and visitors to be treated with respect and dignity, in a manner which is confidential.

Ensure a safe and clean environment is maintained at all times.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

CATERING

General Accountability:

• Maintain the highest personal hygiene and adhere to prescribed dress code and behaviour.

• Provide a quality service of food and beverage to both patients & staff throughout the hospital.

• Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the values of the hospital.

• Will participate in the implementation of any new agreed health strategies or agreements.

Specific Accountability:

Hygiene:

• To maintain high standards of personal hygiene and appearance at all times.

• To ensure that high standards of food hygiene, health and safety are adhered to.

• Carry out cleaning duties as per cleaning schedule or as requested to do so by Catering Management.

• Be aware and practice basic food hygiene.

• Maintain hygiene and good housekeeping in accordance with the Catering Department policy.

• This will include the cleaning of areas such as serveries and its floors, spot cleaning of walls throughout the department. Dishwashing and cleaning of equipment and utensils to ensure the department is kept in a clean and tidy manner.

• To conform with health and hygiene regulations throughout the Catering Department in line with HACCP.

Service:

• Provide a quality service and assist with the preparation and service of all meals.

• Stock and prepare counters, ward pantries and night vending (Service includes dining room, patient service areas and special functions throughout the hospital).

• The plating/service of patient’s meals.

• Account and register all sales of food and beverages.

• Assist the chefs as required.

• Fill requisitions for wards.

• To be flexible and adaptable to all changes that may take place within the Department.

• To carry out additional duties as requested by Catering Management.

• To be vigilant at all times for potential hazards.

Ward Pantry Hygiene:

• Be aware of and practice good food hygiene at all times.

• Maintain a high level of cleanliness within the ward pantries and carry out cleaning procedures as outlined in cleaning schedules.

• Ensure trollies, trays, shelving, presses, work tops are sanitized regularly.

• Maintain the highest standard of personal hygiene and adhere to prescribed policies on dress code and behaviour at all times.

Patient Service:

• Maintain a prompt and efficient food delivery service to patients.

• Convey accurately to management patient’s comments in respect to the quality and service of food.

• Set trays, serve and wash trays, crockery, cutlery and glasses after use.

• Supply fresh water, clean glasses and jugs as required.

• Operate the specialist equipment within the ward pantry and undertake the associated temperature monitoring, recording and control procedures associated with HACCP principles. Alert management to any incorrect readings or incidents of poor food quality in order that remedial actions can be taken.

• Prepare requisitions for dry goods, communicate this information to the central Catering Department and collect as scheduled.

• Special requests from Ward Manager (i.e. catering for visitors/bereaved family members).

• Take ward requests, i.e. special diets.

• To maintain a flexible approach to performance of duties as specified and within the scope of all areas designated within the department.

• Carry out cleaning duties within Catering Department as designated by Catering Manager i.e. cleaning schedules.

• Attend training courses as required.

• Any other duties, which may be necessary from time to time in line with above subject to negotiation and agreement.

Health and Safety:

• Adhere to hospital Infection control and health and safety procedures at all times.

• Report to management all accidents, incidents and any unsafe conditions and practices.

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 have at the latest date of application:

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 as 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

Candidates must have the personal competence and capacity to properly discharge the duties of the role.

Health

Candidates 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 must be of good character.

Post Specific Requirements

Please demonstrate depth and breadth of experience as relevant to the role.

Skills, Competencies and/or Knowledge

• Experience of dealing with the public in a busy environment.

• Attention to detail

• Discretion

• Diplomacy

• Flexibility

• Good organisational & planning skills

• Willingness to continue with further education

• Ability to work efficiently in a busy environment

• Ability to carry out procedures in a timely manner in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures

Ability to demonstrate:

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

• Effective interpersonal skills

• Initiative and ability to take on new projects

• Importance of assuring high standards

• Good team working skills

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 being called forward 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.

Code of Practice

The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, facilities for feedback to applicants on matters relating to their application when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates”.

Tenure

There is 2 Whole-time Permanent post available.

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 Appointment) Act 2004.

Working Week

The standard working week applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job Offer stage.

HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day/Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster/on call arrangements as advised by their line manager.

Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am–8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement.

Annual Leave

The annual leave associated with the post will be confirmed at job offer 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.

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 Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998

As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.

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.

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.

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