Job Title, Grade Code Caretaker, Galway Primary Care Services
(Grade Code: 4092)
Campaign Reference CHW085-CGPCS-2024
Closing Date Friday 13th December 2024 at 12 noon
Proposed Interview Date (s) As soon as possible following the closing date
Taking up Appointment A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.
Location of Post There is currently one permanent vacancy available as follows:
Shantalla Health Centre, Galway – 39 hours per week
A panel may be formed as a result of this campaign for Caretaker, Galway Primary Care Services from which current and future, permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part-time duration may be filled.
Informal Enquiries Antoinette Carr-Francis
Senior Executive Officer, 25 Newcastle Road, Galway
Tel: 087 9372451 or (091) 546172
Details of Service Galway Primary Care Services provide a range of services to adults and children that reside within Co. Galway.
These services include Public Health Nursing, Speech & Language, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Ophthalmology, Audiology, Dental and Orthodontics.
It is an approach to care that includes a range of services designed to keep people well, from promotion of health and screening for disease, to assessment, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation as well as personal social services.
The services provide first-level contact that is fully accessible and have a strong emphasis on working with communities and individuals to improve their health and social well-being.
The Caretaker role is a key position in providing support to the multi-disciplinary team in order to deliver Primary Care Services.
Reporting Relationship The post holder will report to the Senior Executive Officer or another nominated Manager as appropriate
Key Working Relationships In order to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of the post, the post holder will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team within Galway Primary Care Services.
The post holder will also engage with members of the public in providing a service to them.
Purpose of the Post Caretaker – Galway Primary Care Services
To provide Caretaker services to Primary Care Centres in Galway.
This role will include opening, closing of Centres, ensuring that Centres are securely locked, cleaning of Centres, general administration duties.
Complying with Health & Safety Regulations at all times and any other related duties that maybe required within the role.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities Responsible as Caretaker for HSE Building/s within Galway Primary Care.
This includes the building and grounds area.
Security Duties · Opening the building in the morning and closing the building in the evening as required.
· Ensuring that the buildings are secure.
· Ensuring that all doors and windows are securely locked when the buildings are not in use.
· Key holder for Galway Primary Care Centres
· Be available for alarm callouts after hours
Maintenance Duties · Ensuring the heating system is in operation daily.
· Liaising with maintenance contractors/other service providers as appropriate
Cleaning Duties · In accordance with cleaning schedules and cleaning standards for the Primary Care Centres, to keep the buildings clean by hoovering, sweeping, dusting, emptying bins each evening.
Wash floors i.e.
toilets, canteen, staircases, hand-rails and doors.
· To maintain toilets in a clean hygienic condition and ensure availability of soap, toilet paper and hand towels or working hand dryer.
· Wash paintwork (skirting boards, doors, window frames) often as is necessary in order to maintain them in a clean and hygienic condition.
General Administration Duties · To provide cross cover in other Health Centres/Primary Care Centres as required
· To travel to other Health Centres in the Network and carry out duties as advised by the Line Manager
· To operate switchboard and provide cross cover at reception as required.
· Ensure adequate supply of stationery and cleaning stock is available to all Centres and to keep stock control of the supplies.
· Responsible for the internal and external postal systems as directed
· To be responsible for the signing of goods/supplies received at or for the HSE buildings and to keep stock control of the supplies/equipment
· Issue stock/equipment to clients when required
Health & Safety Duties · Ensure that equipment and furniture is in good repair
· Ensure that electrical appliances, storage heaters, etc., are not plugged in or switched on when buildings are not in use and to replace all blown light bulbs and tubes as required.
· Ensure that the buildings are not entered or used by any unauthorised persons and to prevent trespassers on grounds.
· Report immediately in writing to the Line Manager any necessary repairs required.
· Report immediately to the local Garda Siochana and to the Line Manager any break-in or damage.
· Notify the Line Manager in writing of any accidents involving members of the public while attending the buildings and prepare such reports on accidents, break-ins or other damages as requested by the Line Manager.
· Ensure that Clinical Waste is managed within DOH (2010) Healthcare Risk Waste Management, Segregation, Packaging and Storage Guidelines for Healthcare Risk Waste.
Ensure that the use/storage of chemicals are in accordance with risk assessments under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations 2001.
· Issuing and receiving sharps bins ensuring they are tagged and labelled
· To keep all entrances and pathways free of snow and ice, spreading sand and/or salt as required to render all access points and paths safe for staff and public.
· Be aware of hygienic standards (including personal) and Health & Safety Regulations.
· Complete Fire register weekly for Primary Care Centres
· Carry out daily/weekly flushing regimes in Primary Care Centres as required
· Adhere to COVID-19 guidelines and attend training sessions as required
General Duties · Set up meeting and interview rooms when required
· Ensure that all rubbish is disposed of and left in waste bins by availing of the normal refuse collection in the area
· Be available to work weekends/bank holidays when required
· Provide relief cover for other Centres in Galway Primary Care
· Take part in training as requested.
· Any other duties that may be assigned.
· 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 etc.
and 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 them 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:
i) Be the holder of a full valid unendorsed Category B Driving Licence (Manual).
And
ii) Adequate education including IT skills, training and experience of a type which would render him/her suitable to perform satisfactorily the duties of the post of Caretaker
And
iii) Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability including a high standard of suitability for the proper discharge of the duties of the office
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.
Post Specific Requirements Demonstrate depth and breadth of relevant experience in the role of Caretaker.
Other requirements specific to the post Access to transport as travel will be required to other Health Centres/Primary Care Centres The post holder will be required to undertake the following training in an agreed time frame: · Manual Handling
· Online fire training and fire evacuation procedures in Centres
· Hand Hygiene
· Children First
· GDPR
· Clinical Waste
· Chemical/Biological Hazards
And any other training that may be required in order to carry out the duties of the post.
Skills, competencies and/or knowledge Professional Knowledge & Experience • Demonstrate knowledge of the Health Service
• Demonstrate knowledge of relevant legislation e.g.
Health & Safety, Infection Control, Fire Policies, Dangerous Goods and the ability to work in line with relevant policies and procedures
Planning and Managing Resources • Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organising skills
• Demonstrate ability to work on own initiative
• Demonstrate effective analytical, problem solving and decision making skills
• Set realistic goals and time-scales, taking account of potential problems and competing priorities
• Devotes time and energy to the most important task at any given time
• Maintains an awareness of value for money
Teamwork Skills • Demonstrate the ability to build and maintain relationships including the ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills • Demonstrate excellent communication skills, including sufficient command of the English language so as to effectively 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 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 in 'bands' depending on the service needs of the organisation.
The HSE is an equal opportunities employer.
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 CPSA is responsible for establishing the principles that should be followed when making an appointment.
These are set out in the CPSA Code of Practice.
The Code outlines the standards that should be adhered to at each stage of the selection process and sets out the review and appeal mechanisms open to candidates should they be unhappy with a selection process.
The CPSA Code of Practice can be accessed via https://www.cpsa.ie/.
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the Job Specification may be reviewed.
This Job Specification is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder.
It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.
Caretaker, Galway Primary Care Services Terms and Conditions of Employment Tenure There is currently one permanent vacancy available as follows:
Shantalla Health Centre, Galway – 39 hours per week
The post is pensionable.
A panel may be formed as a result of this campaign for Caretaker, Galway Primary Care Services from which current and future, 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.
Remuneration The Salary scale for the post is: (as of 01/10/2024) €33,636-€34,378-€36,863-€37,045-€37,045-€37,045-€37,097-€37,198-€37,297-€37,401 €37,502-€37,612-€37,717-€37,829-€37,936 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.
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 (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).
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.
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[1], 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[2].
• 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.
[1] A template SSSS and guidelines are available on the National Health and Safety Function, here: https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/safetywellbeing/about%20us/ 2 See link on health and safety web-pages to latest Incident Management Policy