Plumber

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post is:

€41,565 €42,722 €45,557 €45,842 €46,127 €46,411 €46,697 €46,982 €47,268 €47,553 €47,869

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.

Reporting relationship

The post holder will report to the Maintenance Officer in St Fintans Hospital and the Engineering Officer Laois/Offaly.

Purpose of the post

The person appointed will carry out mechanical maintenance and repair work as part of a multidisciplinary team comprising engineers, technicians, general operatives and supporting and specialist contractors. To deliver a prompt, efficient cost-effective customer focused service in a team environment.

Principal duties and responsibilities

The Plumber will:

• Report to the Maintenance Officer and carry out such duties as are delegated to him/her.
• Attend to the maintenance and repairs of all mechanical services, plant and equipment. This shall include installation, maintenance/preventative maintenance and repairs of water mains, hydrant, hot and cold-water supplies and associated control pipe work, sanitary/sewerage systems, boiler house and ancillary equipment.

·        Attend to the operation maintenance and repairs of all equipment including but, not limited to:

o   Hot water & Steam boilers

o   Piped Medical gases

o   Building management computer systems

o   Reverse Osmosis Water treatment systems

o   Ventilation systems

o   HVAC systems

o   Chillers

o   Pressurisation and pumping systems

o   Heating distribution systems

o   Insurance Inspections

o   Environmental control systems

o   Natural gas systems

o   Fuel storage & distribution systems

o   Water Borne Disease Management Systems (Legionella Control)

o   Energy management

o   Catering equipment

• Ward Based equipment, ie Bed Pan Washers etc
• Carry out planned preventative maintenance programmes, equipment checks, inspections and plant operational and performance log readings as set out by the Maintenance Manager/Maintenance Officer
• Carry out the duties as designated under the HTM standards for competent persons.
• Participate in the support of new development projects as required.
• Arrange to have repairs and maintenance carried out by manufacturers or agents in cases where they cannot be carried out locally.
• Provide hands-on technical assistance in the resolution of plant and control systems failures.
• Carry out plumbing work necessary and incidental to the duties described herein.
• Provide routine maintenance on plant, pumps, valves, actuators etc., as required.
• Maintain records of all servicing carried out in their area of responsibility.
• Carry out plumbing and mechanical installation work, as required
• Assist in the organisation of the system of routine maintenance for all plant and equipment.
• Test and maintain log sheets on mechanical equipment as required.
• Liaise with and support outside contractors, as required.
• Operate within existing productivity agreements.
• Be accountable for all tools, stock or equipment under his/her control and ensure that all such equipment is kept in the proper state of repair in accordance with safety standards.
• Perform such duties as assigned to him/her. Create holes in building fabric walls and floors etc as required. Remove all old materials, debris etc created during any works, to the maintenance yard or other assigned waste pick up / disposal area.
• Perform safely, physically demanding tasks as required for moving of heavy equipment.
• Provide assistance during major emergencies or adverse weather events by participating with the Hospital emergency response protocol.
• Assist where required, other trades with maintenance duties not related to plumbing or mechanical services.
• Where circumstances require the Building/Electrical Foreman may determine that tea and lunch breaks shall be rostered on any particular job to allow continuity of work.
• Be required to complete any appropriate records and reports relating to their work e.g. work done, materials used, materials requisitioned, defects discovered, time taken, matters requiring further or future attention, etc. Management shall, from time to time, determine the type, form and content of appropriate records. This shall include but not be limited to computerised work management systems, planned preventative maintenance systems, building management systems and any new technology introduced by the Health Business Services (HBS). This shall include but not be limited to palm top devices, tablet computers, laptop computers.
• Comply with and work all policies and procedures of the HSE and be fully compliant with all Health and safety legislation, policies and guidance documents.
• Co-operate in the introduction of any new techniques, methods, systems, and equipment required by management for increasing the efficiency or productivity of the maintenance service, and shall co-operate with consultants / advisors, and with persons appointed to study the techniques, methods, systems or equipment in operation in the maintenance service.

General Responsibilities

• Co-operate and support the introduction of new technologies, and changes in work practice.
• Maintain good communications with all hospital staff work colleagues and contractors.
• Promote a quality working environment within the HSE.
• Be required to have flexibility where required to cater for specific arrangements, such as emergency work, shutdowns, shift work and holidays, etc.
• Be required to participate in a shift work rota at a future date.

Education & Training

• Maintain throughout Regional Hospital Portlaoise the awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all service activities.
• Participate in training courses as specified by the HSE, to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of technology, Health and Safety, communications and health care regulations.

Health & Safety

• Use protective clothing and equipment as necessary during the course of duty in accordance with the Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 and 1985 and observe all other safety procedures currently in force.
• Be familiar with the operation of workshop machinery and observe good workshop practices at all times.
• Be familiar with the fire-fighting equipment and the fire and safety regulations in operation throughout HSE buildings
• Be familiar with the code of safe lifting practice and to adhere to same at all times.
• Have a working knowledge of Health & Safety Legislation, including the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act (2005), Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations (2007) and a good level of knowledge regarding all other health and safety legislation.
• 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 etcand 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.

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 him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifications and/ or experience

1.      Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

    (a)          Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:

       i)          Possess a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) (NFQ) Level 6 (or higher) Advanced Certificate Craft - Plumbing (or equivalent qualification).

Or

      ii)          Possess the National Craft Certificate issued by FETAC.

Or

     iii)          Possess the Senior Trade Certificate issued by Department of Education.

Or

    iv)          Possess a Level 3 Technical/Trade qualification or equivalent issued by City & Guilds, London.

And

    (b)          Candidates must possess the requisite technical knowledge and ability, including a high standard of suitability for the proper discharge of the office.

2.      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.

3.      Character

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Post specific requirements

·        Demonstrate depth and breadth of post apprenticeship experience in fitting plumbing, including installation and maintenance, of Commercial / Domestic / Industrial Systems as relevant to the role.

·        Have successfully undertaken or be willing to undertake the Solas Safe Pass Health & Safety Awareness Training Programme, or equivalent approved training programme. (Please note if you have not undertaken this training, you will be required to successfully complete this training on taking up the post).

·        As this post may involve the driving of HSE owned vehicles, the successful candidate is required to hold a full unendorsed Drivers Licence (Category B).

Other requirements specific to the post

The post holder must:

·       Have access to appropriate transport to fulfil the requirements of the role.

·       The post holder will be required to participate in an on-call system and have flexibility where required to cater for specific arrangements such as emergency work, shut downs, shift work and holidays.

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

Candidates must:

Professional Knowledge

·        Demonstrate sufficient technical knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the post.

·        Demonstrate knowledge of planned preventative maintenance activities on fixed plant & equipment.

·        Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of installation and maintenance of mechanical services found in a complex facility.

·        Demonstrate computer competency, including the use of Microsoft word, use of email, excel.

·        Demonstrate knowledge of energy efficiency measures

·        Demonstrate a working knowledge of domestic and industrial/healthcare plumbing.

·        Demonstrate working knowledge of Building Management Systems.

·        Demonstrate a working knowledge of commercial / industrial potable water systems, and the associated standards for the installation and maintenance of same.

·        Demonstrate the ability to develop and write technical engineering reports.

·        Demonstrate the ability to design and implement structured policies and systems for the management of service and maintenance of hospital equipment and systems.

·        Demonstrate evidence of project management skills encompassing all streams of work appropriate with key responsibilities.

·        Demonstrate a working knowledge of Health & Safety Legislation, including the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act (2005), Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations (2007).

Planning & Organising

·        Demonstrate effective planning and organising skills.

·        Demonstrate an ability to develop method safety statements.

·        Demonstrate the ability to implement work schedules.

·        Demonstrate the ability to look ahead and forward plan for service developments; including the ability to compile lists of materials required for projects and repairs; the ability to estimate time frames for maintenance tasks.

·        Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of value for money in the performance of work.

·        Demonstrate an ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks.

·        Demonstrate experience in working effectively under pressure.

·        Demonstrate knowledge of method statement/risk assessment procedures.

Team Skills

·        Demonstrate the ability to work within a multidisciplinary team to resolve problems and implement solutions.

·        Demonstrate the ability to work independently and on their own initiative, as well as part of a multi-disciplinary maintenance team.

Problem Solving & Decision Making

·        Demonstrate the ability to evaluate information, solve problems and make decisions in a timely manner.

·        Demonstrate the ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team to resolve problems and implement solutions.

Commitment to Providing a Quality Service

·        Demonstrate a commitment to providing a quality service; including an awareness and appreciation of the service user such as patients, the general public, medical and non-medical staff.

Communication & Interpersonal

·        Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present information on the extent and status of works in a clear and concise manner, written and verbal.

·        Demonstrate the ability to receive and implement instructions in an effective and efficient manner.

·        Demonstrate the ability to communicate with other staff members to coordinate works and update on progress of works.

·        Demonstrate evidence of computer skills, e.g. email etc., as relevant to the role