Security Officer

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post is (as at 01/08/2025):

€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

·        To provide a proactive and responsive security service to ensure a safe and secure environment for patients, staff and visitors/others in SUH.

·        To safe guard hospital property in addition to that of patients, staff and visitors.

·        To provide protection and security for all aspects of Saolta Group located in or on the site of SUH.

·        To provide a rapid response to all internal disasters such as fires etc. and to implement the Major Accident Plan in relation to the security response.

·        To maintain and review the operational Emergency policy as required.

·        To provide routine security services within the hospital and to operate the security operational policy as required by management

·        To respond to all calls for assistance.

·        To undertake seminars and staff education programmes in relation to security on a departmental and personnel level, thereby extending and promoting security awareness to all staff.

·        To implement investigative capabilities in respect of the recovery of property in cases of theft and losses.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

·      The person holding this post is required to support the principle that the 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 hospital 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.

The Security Officer will:

·        Be responsible for security door access controls for visitors, patients and others.

·      Respect and safeguard Hospital and patient property.

·      Issue and control keys.

·      Patrol the Hospital and boundary, to guard against damage, fire, trespass, vandalism, theft, assault and wastage.

·      List and report to the Head of Security on property lost, stolen or recovered within the hospital.

·      Maintain all appropriate records considered necessary in relation to Security.

·      Escort staff to Pharmacy at times specified.

·      Monitor C.C.T.V.

·      Respond to all requests of a security nature i.e. difficult visitor/patient.

·      Be familiar with the aims and objectives of Hospital security.

·      Attend for duty at the time specified.

·      Work night duty and day duty as rostered.

·      Be neat and maintain a high standard of dress and deportment and wear as directed any item of uniform clothing or identification as may be issued.

·      Ensure implementation of Hospital Policies and Procedures, i.e., Security Policy, Tobacco Free Policy, Parking Policy and Observation Policy, etc.

·      Comply with all Infection Prevention and Control requirements including compliance with hand hygiene, standard precautions, dress code and health and safety.

·      Operate and become familiar with the functioning of all firefighting, access control, communications, CCTV and other equipment which you may be required to use from time to time.

·      Carry out all fire prevention and security patrols within and outside the hospital, as directed.

·      Advise the Head of Security on any matters relating to security, traffic control and fire prevention which may require his/her attention.

·      Control traffic and parking in the Hospital Grounds as directed and liaise with any outside body employed to manage car parking.

·      Investigate and report on incidents occurring in the Hospital.

·      Carry out the security function on the implementation of the Major Accident Plan.

·      Liaise with the Gardai on matters relating to hospital security.

·      Provide necessary escorts for personnel and property as may be required.

·      Maintain and update any IT database as required.

·      Carry out any other duty, appropriate to the grade, which may from time to time, be assigned by the management at SUH.

·      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.

KPI’s

·        The identification and development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which are congruent with the Hospital’s service plan targets.

·        The development of Action Plans to address KPI targets.

·        Driving and promoting a Performance Management culture.

·        In conjunction with line manager assist in the development of a Performance Management system for your profession.

·        The management and delivery of KPIs as a routine and core business objective.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING GENERAL CONDITIONS:

·        Employees must attend fire lectures periodically 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 policy 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.

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.

i)       Have completed second level education to Leaving Certificate standard (Level 5

on the Quality & Qualifications Ireland Framework) and have obtained a minimum

of six passes in the Leaving Certificate Examination Ordinary Level including

Mathematics and English.

OR

ii)      Hold an equivalent qualification to the above as determined by QQI (Quality & Qualifications Ireland Framework), evidence of this must be submitted with

Application.

AND

iii)     Hold a current Private Security Authority License.

AND

iv)    Have recent satisfactory employment within the last 2 years working in Security

Services.

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 such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

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

Other requirements specific to the post

•        Will be included at expression of interest stage, if applicable.

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

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

• Demonstrates ability to manage deadlines and handle multiple tasks
• Demonstrates evidence of time management and know how to prioritise workload
• Reports, documents and records incidents and complies with local policy in relation to records, as appropriate.

Teamwork

• Demonstrate ability to work as a member of team and make positive contributions to that team
• Demonstrate effective communication skills both written and verbal
• Demonstrate evidence of influencing/negotiating skills

·        Demonstrate motivation and an innovative approach to job.

·        Engages with Line Management & Colleagues to improve patient/ resident/ service user experience and outcomes

·        Demonstrates respect to patients/ residents/ service users and staff

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

·        Demonstrates commitment to providing a quality service.

• Demonstrate motivation to fulfil the role and contribute to improving the service.
• Demonstrate the ability to maintain confidentiality.

Knowledge/Professional Knowledge

• Demonstrate ability to work on own initiative
• Demonstrate ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks

·        Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge to best practice

·        Demonstrate a commitment to assuring high standards and strive for a patient/ resident/ service user centred service

·        Demonstrate ability to work under pressure

·        Demonstrate knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role

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 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 will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

The HSE is an equal opportunities employer.

Employees of the HSE bring a range of skills, talents, diverse thinking and experience to the organisation. The HSE believes passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to its success – we aim to develop the workforce of the HSE so that it reflects the diversity of HSE service users and to strengthen it through accommodating and valuing different perspectives. Ultimately this will result in improved service user and employee experience. 

The HSE is committed to creating a positive working environment whereby all employees inclusive of age, civil status, disability, ethnicity and race, family status, gender, membership of the Traveller community, religion and sexual orientation are respected, valued and can reach their full potential. The HSE aims to achieve this through development of an organisational culture where injustice, bias and discrimination are not tolerated.

The HSE welcomes people with diverse backgrounds and offers a range of supports and resources to staff, such as those who require a reasonable accommodation at work because of a disability or long-term health condition.

Read more about the HSE’s commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion