Permanent/Specified Catering Assistant (Domestic)
Job Specification, Terms and Conditions
Job Title and Grade
Full Time Catering Assistant
Taking up Appointment
A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.
Location of Post
Leopardstown Park Hospital
Informal Enquiries
Details of Service
Leopardstown Park Hospital is a registered centre for the provision of services to older people, it provides Day services and Long-Term Care, situated in South Co. Dublin. It was established in 1917 and continues to provide interdisciplinary services on a seven-day, twenty-four-hour basis.
It is currently registered for 120 long stay beds
Reporting Relationship
Purpose of the Post
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
ACOUNTABILITY
The Catering Assistant will be:
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Preparing and presenting catering services to service users, staff and visitors.
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Be aware of accountability and responsibility for the highest quality in the delivery of catering services and act accordingly in respect of Food Hygiene and Health & Safety current legislation i.e. HACCP
- Service of meals, counter service, ensuring agreed portion controls and customer satisfaction.
-
Assist with special functions.
-
Dishwashing and Pot washing
- Cleaning of equipment and area of responsibility as per HACCP cleaning schedules and checklists.
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Report for duty on time and at the designated place of duty as prescribed by Management
- Take direction and guidance from Management in relation to all duties and human resources issues at all times
- Facilitate and encourage good industrial relations at all times
- Comply with uniform, sick leave, health and safety policies.
SERVICE
The Catering Assistant will:
Perform duties efficiently, effectively, economically and hygienically in line with best practice and/or as directed by Management in the provision of a quality service at all times
Maintain a flexible approach to performance of duties
Strictly adhere to operational policies and procedures specific to designated area of duty
Deal with service user, staff and visitor queries in a courteous, effective and efficient manner
Maintain confidentiality of all matters pertaining to staff and service users.
Prepare, deliver and serve meals, snacks and beverages to special functions or conference meetings
Deliver and collect equipment and food
Set and re-stock hot and cold counters, shelving units, refrigeration units and tables/trays
Co-operate with nursing staff, health promotion co-ordinator, dietician and other relevant staff to ensure dietary needs of service users and staff are met.
Check meals at all service points throughout the site for quality, temperature, quantity and presentation
Ensure that all meals within your responsibility are kept safe and free from any unauthorised interference and/or health hazards such as foreign objects, etc.
Assist with the compilation, plating and service of meals to servicer users and staff at the required time in accordance with statutory standards
Be responsible for the receipt of goods and foodstuffs when assigned and where appropriate
Visit dining rooms during mealtimes
Interact with residents and attend social events
Check ward kitchenettes for cleanliness
HYGIENE / FOOD SAFETY & MANAGING WASTE
The Catering Assistant will:
Safeguard public health, through compliance with Food Hygiene and Health and Safety legislation, Food Hygiene Regulations (Irish & E.U.)
Co-operate fully with the implementation of the principles of HACCP
Adhere to the Catering cleaning policy as defined by relevant personnel to ensure that work place is kept clean and safe
To be aware of and exercise best practice in relation to personal hygiene and cleaning duties
Adhere to the prescribed dress code and wear all safety and hygiene clothing and PPE equipment as prescribed at all times when required to do so
Adhere to and implement standards and procedures in relation to nutrition and hydration
HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE AT WORK
The Catering Assistant will:
Take all the necessary steps to ensure the maximum security and safety of the working area and all equipment and supplies contained therein.
Identify hazards, assess risks and report same as per hospital policy to relevant personnel, and in accordance with individual responsibilities under all Health and Safety legislation and regulations
Take all necessary steps to ensure your own security and safety and the safety and security of your work colleagues and all other personnel
Wear appropriate protective clothing and protective footwear and use any safety equipment provided
Co-operate fully and participate with/in all health and safety training programmes
Practice correct stock rotation practice and storage of all food items
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
The Catering Assistant will:
Actively participate and co-operate fully with all training programmes
- Co-operate and aid with induction training programmes for new employees
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Catering Assistant will:
Comply with and adhere to all policies and procedures
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
(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:
(i) Have completed second level education to Junior Certificate standard (Level 3 on the Quality & Qualifications Ireland Framework) (or equivalent qualification)
And
(ii) Have a minimum of 1 year working in the catering industry with experience in catering for large numbers in a busy environment
And
Fetac Level 5 desirable
(b) Candidates must have the personal competence and capacity to properly
discharge the duties of the role.
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.
Skills, competencies and/or knowledge
Candidates must :
Professional Knowledge
Demonstrate sufficient knowledge to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the post.
Demonstrate an understanding of Food Hygiene Regulations and Health & Safety
Demonstrate an understanding of catering in the healthcare environment
Planning & Organising Skills
Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organising skills.
Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of value for money in the performance of work.
Demonstrate an organised, methodical and structured approach to work including the ability to meet deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks.
Demonstrate experience in working under pressure.
Team Skills
Demonstrate the ability to work independently as well as part of a multidisciplinary team and make positive contributions to that team.
Commitment to Providing a Quality Service
Demonstrate a commitment to providing a quality service; including an awareness and appreciation of the service user
Demonstrate motivation and an innovative approach to job and service.
Problem Solving & Decision Making
Demonstrate the ability to evaluate information, solve problems and make decisions in a timely manner.
Communication / Interpersonal skills
Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner, written and verbal.
Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills.
Demonstrate an ability to receive and implement instructions in an effective and efficient manner.
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.
Catering Assistant
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Tenure
The current vacancies available are specified pupose and whole-time. These posts are 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 the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004.
Remuneration
Remuneration is in accordance with Department of Health/ Health Service Executive consolidated pay scales. Range from 36,407 to 44,087 a nine-point scale.
Working Week
The standard working week is 39 Hours
Annual Leave
The annual leave associated with the post is 23 days
Superannuation
This is a pensionable position. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme
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 recruited between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 (new entrants) have no compulsory retirement age.
Public servants recruited since 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Pension Scheme and have a compulsory retirement age of 70.
Probation
All employees are subject to a 9 month probationary period.
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.
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.
