Job Specification and Terms & Conditions Job Title & Grade Care Assistant Intellectual Disability Service
Permanent Full Time, Part-Time, Relief roles available
Job Reference:
Various roles available
Closing Date Monday: 17th March 2025
Proposed Interview Date:
Week of 24th March 2025
Taking Up Appointment:
To be outlined at interview Location of Post: Peamount Healthcare, Newcastle, Co.
Dublin Details of Service Peamount Healthcare is an independent voluntary organisation providing health and social care to the community in conjunction with the HSE.
The services provided include rehabilitation for the older person and those with respiratory disabilities, continuing care services are also provided for the older person, adults with neurological disabilities and individuals with intellectual disabilities.
A community diagnostic service is also available.
Peamount Healthcare seeks to provide an environment which encourages and develops an improved quality of life for all of its clients characterised by independence, self-determination and dignity.
Peamount Healthcare is committed to the following values: Person centred seeing each person as unique, giving them a voice and focusing on ability.
Respect creating a supportive environment where everyone is given courteous and respectful care and support.
Excellence enabling interdisciplinary teams to deliver high quality integrated care, meaningful outcomes with a focus on continuous improvement.
Team working fostering an inclusive, healthy working environment where people are valued and recognised for their individual and shared achievements.
Quality improvement supporting teams to embed continuous improvement methodology as part of everything we do.
Education & Research partnering with academia to support education, learning, research and evidence based care.
Reporting Relationship Clinical Nurse Manager/ Person in charge.
Overall Purpose of the Role The purpose of this position is to assist and support members of the staff team in providing residential care, respite, educational, development, meaningful activities and training services for residents with an intellectual disability within Peamount, or a Community Support service in accordance with Peamount Healthcare policies, procedures and guidelines and the Peamounts Safety Statement.
The successful candidate will be required to work within the guidelines of both HIQA and New Directions.
Responsible for the wellbeing of service users in the care Support staff in facilitating the development of interpersonal relationships in each service, both within Peamount Healthcare and the wider community.
Enable the service users to value them self and enhance their feelings of self-worth and individuality.
Care for the day to day needs of the service users in the service.
Personal Care - helping those that require assistance in such tasks as dressing, washing, cooking, shopping, cleaning, looking after service user's clothes.
As far as possible the service user will be encouraged to partake in these activities.
Partake in full meal preparation in the home, where necessary.
Support service users on holidays away from the centre.
Engage in training and skill progression in line with changing needs of service users.
Attend Safe Administration of Medication (SAM) training to support service users with medication administration.
Facilitating service users to use their leisure time tailored to their needs, with an emphasis on community integration.
Support the resident in planning and engaging with meaningful activities, in accordance with their wishes and ability.
This can include activities within the home (e
g:
craft work, baking, music, music), maintaining/facilitating family contact, community engagement (e
g:
mass, library visits, meals out) and campus-based activities (e
g:
partaking in horticulture events, gardening, walking).
Empowering residents to partake in planning by facilitating house meetings.
Supporting residents with their religions and spiritual needs.
Contribute to goals and completion of the personal support plan.
Work positively and constructively with service users who present with behaviours that challenge.
Use of person first language in verbal and written communication.
Work with and liaise with all grades of staff in your assigned centre and other centres.
Support staff and ensure that families and visitors to the service are attended to with consideration.
Undertake driving duties in Peamount vehicles and / or own transport.
Work a shift rota, spread over 7 days, as determined by management Maintain records and reports required by the Unit Manager for the efficient running of the service.
Ensure that the health and welfare of staff and service users is maintained in accordance with Peamount Healthcare procedures and that all safety precautions are implemented.
Health and Safety The Care Assistant (Intellectual Disability Service) will: Have a working knowledge of 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.
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 patient/ clients / 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/ client / resident care for which he/she is not trained.
Attend training courses as required e.g.
CPR, Hygiene, HACCP, Fire Prevention, Studio III, SAM, etc.
Conduct his / herself in a manner that ensures safe patient/ client care.
Eligibility Criteria Qualifications & Experience Leaving Certificate standard of education FETAC Level 5 Healthcare Support certificate or a commitment to undertake same One years continuous experience of working with adults with an intellectual disability.
A flexible, committed and caring approach to carrying out the range of duties associated with the post.
Administrative Duties The Care Assistant (Intellectual Disability Service) will: Attend staff meetings and contribute constructively to the smooth running of the unit Contribute to the maintenance of updating of patient/ client / resident documentation Care Assistants should conduct themselves in a manner that conveys respect of the individual and ensures safe client care.
The personal characteristics that indicate these principles should include; Confidentiality Courtesy Accountability Communication Dignity and Privacy Health and Safety A positive attitude Education & Training The Care Assistant (Intellectual Disability Service) will: Attend induction and mandatory in-service education As directed participate in the induction of new staff Maintain continuous personal 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.
The Health care assistant will when required be asked to attend other education by the CNM to enhance service delivery.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities 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.
Campaign Specific Selection Post A ranking and or short-listing exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your CV.The criteria for ranking and or short listing 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 depending on the service needs of the organisation.
Code of Practice Peamount will run this campaign in compliance with the Cod 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 principles 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 Code of Practice.
Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on The reform programme outlined for the Health Service may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.
The job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder.
It is intended to be neither definitive or restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.
Terms & Conditions of Employment Peamount Healthcare, Newcastle, Co. Dublin.
Tenure The current vacancies available are Permanent Full-Time, Part-Time and Relief roles.
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 Peamount Healthcare is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004.
Remuneration Remuneration is in accordance with the salary scale approved by the Department of Health from 1st October 2024: 6482 Care Assistant €32,699 (Point 1) - €45,984 (Point 13) LSI Working Week The hours allocated to this post are 39 hours per week (19.5 part-time).
The allocation of these hours will be at the discretion of the Department Head and in accordance with the needs of the service.
HSE Circular 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 As per Health Service Executive (HSE) Probation All employees will be subject to a probationary period as per the probation policy.
This policy applies to all employees irrespective of the type of contract under which they have been employed.
A period of 6 months probation will be served: On commencement of employment.
Fixed term to permanent contract.
Permanent employees commencing in promotional posts will also undertake a probationary period relating to their new post.
Pension Employees of Peamount Healthcare are required to be members of the Hospitals Superannuation Scheme.
Deductions at the appropriate rate will be made from your salary payment.
If you are being rehired after drawing down a public service pension your attention is drawn to Section 52 of the Public Services Pension (Single and Other Provisions) Act 2012.
The 2012 Act extends the principle of abatement to retired public servants in receipt of a public service pension who secure another public service appointment in any public service body.
Maternity Maternity leave is granted in accordance with the terms of the Maternity Protection Acts 1994 and 2001.
Sick Leave Peamount Healthcare operates a Sickness Absence Management policy in line with the new Public Service Sick Leave Scheme as introduced in 31st March 2014.
Pre-Employment Health Assessment Prior to commencing in this role a person will be required to complete a form declaring their health status which is reviewed by the hospitals Occupational Health Service and if required undergo a medical assessment with this department.
Any person employed by Peamount Healthcare 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.
Validation of Qualifications & Experience Any credit given to a candidate at interview, in respect of claims to qualifications, training and experience is provisional and is subject to verification.
The recommendation of the interview board is liable to revision if the claimed qualification, training or experience is not proven.
References Peamount Healthcare will seek up to two written references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisations with which the candidate has been associated.
The hospital also reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.
Garda Vetting Peamount Healthcare will carry out Garda vetting on all new employees.
An employee will not take up employment with the hospital until the Garda Vetting process has been completed and the hospital is satisfied that such an appointment does not pose a risk to clients, service users and employees.
Character Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
Health & Safety These duties must be performed in accordance with the hospital health and safety policy.
In carrying out these duties the employee must ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply with the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act.
Staff must carry out their duties in a safe and responsible manner in line with the Hospital Policy as set out in the appropriate departments safety statement, which must be read and understood.
Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines, and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to Peamount.
Protection and Care and comply with associated Peamount protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
Quality, Risk & Safety Responsibilities It is the responsibility of all staff to: Participate and cooperate with legislative and regulatory requirements with regard to Quality, Risk and Safety.
Participate and cooperate with external agencies on safety initiatives as required.
Participate and cooperate with internal and external evaluations of hospital structures, services and processes as required, including but not limited to: National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare.
National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections.
HSE Standards and Recommended Practices for Healthcare Records Management Safety audits and other audits specified by the HSE or other regulatory authorities.
To initiate, support and implement quality improvement initiatives in their area which are in keeping with the hospitals continuous quality improvement programme.
It is the responsibility of all managers to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for Quality, Safety and Risk within their area/department.
Education and Training Participate in mandatory training programmes.
Pursue continuous professional development in order to develop professional knowledge and keep updated with current and legislation.
Specific Responsibility for Best Practice in Hygiene Hygiene in healthcare is defined as the practice that serves to keep people and the environment clean and prevent infection.
It involves preserving ones health, preventing the spread of disease and recognizing, evaluating and controlling health hazards.
It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure compliance with hospital hygiene standards, guidelines and practices.
Department heads/ managers have overall responsibility for best practice in hygiene in their area.
It is mandatory to complete hand hygiene training every 2-years and sharps awareness workshops yearly.
Skills:
Fetac Level 5 Full Drivers Licence IDS experience