Care Assistant, Intellectual Disability
HSE West and North West
Job Specification & Terms and Conditions
Job Title and Grade
Care Assistant, Intellectual Disability, HSE West and North West
(Grade Code: 6482)
Campaign Reference
CHW078-CAID-2024
Closing Date
Friday 15th November 2024 at 12 noon
Proposed Interview date(s)
As soon as possible following the closing date.
Informal Enquiries
Siobhan Mc Andrew, Director of Services, Mayo Community Living
Tel: 094 9251900 Ext 234 Mobile 087 6616900
email: Siobhan.mcandrew@hse.ie
Location of Post
Mayo Community Living, Co Mayo – Currently there are a number of permanent whole time vacancies across our services in Co Mayo.
A panel may be created as a result of this campaign for Care Assistant, Intellectual Disability within Community Healthcare West from which current and future permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full time or part time duration for the role of Care Assistant, Intellectual Disability may be filled.
Details of Service
Mayo Community Living is a community service in Community Healthcare West which provides Residential Services to adults living with an Intellectual Disability.
The current service referred to as Mayo Community Living provides a community service to the People we support in numerous community homes across Co. Mayo. The service is divided into distinct service areas within Co. Mayo. De-congregation of the Swinford location is ongoing.
Reporting Relationship
Mayo Community Living – The Care Assistant, Intellectual Disability will report to the Team Leader/Clinical Nurse Manager in their service and/or the Clinical Co-ordinator or Area Manager.
Purpose of the Post
Mayo Community Living – To assist in the provision of health and social care for adults with an Intellectual Disability. The Care Assistant Intellectual Disability provides direct care in line with the Individual’s Person Centred Plan.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Service needs will require movement of Care Assistant, Intellectual Disability staff between Designated areas/locations. Below is an outline of the principal duties a Care Assistant, Intellectual Disability may carry out, as assigned and as directed.
1. Support the People we support in directing their own lives in accordance with their cognitive and physical abilities in an environment that reflects the comforts of home.
2. Support improved opportunities for the People we support to have meaningful relationships with families and friends by making them welcome partners in the residential home.
3. Respect the People we support, their families and each other as individuals showing dignity, courtesy and professionalism at all times.
4. Act as an advocate for the People we support.
5. Actively promote the participation of the People we support in the running of their home.
6. Promote the social interaction of the People we support with the community, including facilitating the ongoing involvement in their personal interests, hobbies etc.
7. Assist in the provision of a quality service by promoting and adopting a philosophy of care and working in line with national and locally devised Policies, the Regulations and National Standards for Residential Services for Adults with an Intellectual Disability.
8. Ensure that care is carried out in an empathetic and ethical manner and that the dignity and spiritual needs of the People we support are respected.
9. Contribute to the development of a multidisciplinary assessment and person centred care plan and assist in its implementation and evaluation in consultation with the resident and family/representative as appropriate.
10. Carry out the role of a Link worker as allocated for named People we support.
11. Carry out assigned and delegated responsibilities involving direct care and all activities of daily living to assist the People we support maintain standards of personal hygiene, laundry, dietary intake, physical, mental health and any other personal needs.
12. Actively support the People we support with their compliance in taking prescribed medication, and recording of same. The role of Care Assistant, Intellectual Disability in medication administration will be service specific and appropriate training and supervision will be provided.
13. Actively participate in the cleaning of houses, utility rooms, equipment, kitchens and bedrooms. Ensuring infection control guidance is adhered to.
14. Prepare and serve food as appropriate in accordance with safe food handling policy and undertake training as per service need.
15. Attend staff meetings and contribute constructively to the smooth running of the house.
16. Contribute to the maintenance of updating documentation.
17. Maintain the confidentiality of all information made available to him/her during the course of his/her work.
18. Support the people using our services to maximise their independence and quality of life while protecting individual health and safety.
19. To draw up a plan of care based on the People we support needs, while involving the person in all aspects of their care and lifestyle whenever possible.
20. The support individuals where appropriate in line with their personal plan or where supervisory instruction is received in areas such as documentation and medication administration.
21. To be a fully integrated partner in the interdisciplinary team.
22. To practice within the guidelines of current legislation.
23. You will be required to accompany/drive (in service vehicle) People we support to their activities or social outings.
24. Actively support people with their compliance in managing their finances and spending their money and recording same. The role of Care Assistant, Intellectual Disability in finance will be service specific.
Health & Safety
The Care Assistant, Intellectual Disability will:
1. Conduct him/herself in a manner that conveys respect of the individual and ensures safe resident care.
2. Report any incident or potential incident which may compromise the health and safety of residents, staff or visitors and take appropriate action.
3. Understand and adhere to all HSE and service specific policies, guidelines and procedures and the Site Specific Safety Statement.
4. Apply precautions at all times to minimise the risks of cross infection e.g. clean up any spillages of bodily fluids, wear personal protective clothing and use equipment provided appropriate to the task.
5. Ensure that all equipment is stored and cleaned correctly, and storage areas are kept clean and tidy.
6. Report any breakage or malfunction of equipment to technical staff and/or appropriate others.
7. Present to work wearing the agreed attire and identification, having regard to the highest standard of attire and personal hygiene.
8. Participate in Fire prevention procedures and precautions as per policy and other emergency requirements.
9. Have a working knowledge of the 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.
10. 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.
11. Report any accidents, near misses to the person in charge and ensure completion of incident/near miss forms. Have a good knowledge of the risk management systems in their area and their responsibility in same.
12. Not undertake any duty related to patient/client/resident care for which he/she is not trained.
13. Attend training courses as required e.g. Studio 3, Manual Handling, CPR, Hygiene, HACCP, Fire Prevention etc. You are responsible for completing mandatory training.
14. Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
Education & Training
The Care Assistant, Intellectual Disability will:
1. Attend induction and mandatory in-service education.
2. As directed participate in the induction of new staff.
3. Maintain continuous personal development and participate in team based development, education, training and learning.
4. Participate in appraisal and the development of a personal development plan in conjunction with his/her line manager.
5. Participate in e-learning & online training as mandated.
Administrative Duties:
The Care Assistant, Intellectual Disability will:
1. Attend staff meetings and contribute constructively to the smooth running of the Designated Centre.
2. Contribute to the maintenance of updating documentation.
3. Responsible to ensure that appropriate communication takes place with individuals receiving a service, colleagues and external parties.
The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder will 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.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/or experience
Candidates must, to the latest date for receipt of completed application forms for the post possess:
1. A FETAC/QQI Level 5 qualification in Healthcare Support of which includes completion of the Intellectual Disability studies Module and the Activities of Daily Living Module.
2. OR
3. A FETAC/QQI Level 5 qualification in Health Services Skills of which includes completion of the Intellectual Disability studies Module. Successful candidate would complete the Intellectual Disability module within 12 months of taking up the role; this will be provided by the service.
4. OR
5. A qualification in Social Care with emphasis on Healthcare.
6. OR
7. A relevant health care qualification equivalent to 1, 2 or 3 above.
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 experience in a healthcare setting e.g. community, residential, providing direct care to the person you support.
Other requirements specific to the post
Day duty, night duty, sleep overs, twilight and weekend shifts will form a part of the weekly roster of this post which will be managed under the European Working Time Directive.
A full clean driving license for Manual Vehicles is a core requirement for consideration for this post, also access to own transport as the post may require travel.
Willingness and ability to drive HSE allocated transport.
Participate in training.
Support people with medication management following successful completion of SAMS training.
Skills, competencies and/or knowledge
The Care Assistant, Intellectual Disability will demonstrate:
1. Excellent Team Work capabilities.
2. Planning and Organising Skills.
3. Commitment to providing a quality service.
4. Flexibility & Initiative.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and abilities with documentation.
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.
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”.
Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, information for candidates” or on www.cpsa.ie.
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.
This job description 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.
Care Assistant, Intellectual Disability, HSE West and North West
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Tenure
Mayo Community Living, Co Mayo – Currently there are a number of permanent whole time vacancies available in Mayo Community Living in areas across Co. Mayo.
The post is pensionable. A Panel may be created as a result of this campaign for Care Assistant, Intellectual Disability within HSE West and North West from which current and future permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full time or part time duration for the role of Care Assistant, Intellectual Disability 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.
Remuneration
The Salary scale for the post (as at 01/10/2024) is:
€32,699, €33,829, €35,366, €35,876, €36,702, €38,308, €40,033, €40,634, €42,132, €43,252, €44,165, €45,190, €45,984 LSI
Working Week
The standard working week applying to the post is: TBC on appointment.
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 is: TBC on appointment.
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.
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 and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards.
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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Consulting and communicating with staff and safety representatives on OSH matters.
4. 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.
5. Ensuring that all incidents occurring within the relevant department/service are appropriately managed and investigated in accordance with HSE procedures.
6. Seeking advice from health and safety professionals through the National Health and Safety Function Helpdesk as appropriate.
7. Reviewing the health and safety performance of the ward/department/service and staff through, respectively, local audit and performance achievement meetings for example.
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