Job Specification and Terms & Conditions Job Title & Grade Horticulturist / Facilitator Campaign Reference RQ996 Closing Date Wednesday 9th July 2025 Proposed Interview Date Week of 14th/21st July 2025 Taking Up Appointment To be outlined at interview Informal enquires Location of Post Peamount Healthcare, Newcastle, Co. Dublin Details of Service Peamount Healthcare is an independent voluntary organisation that provides a range of high-quality health and social care services. We help people return home after a serious illness, we provide safe and homely residential care for those who need it, and we support people to live as independently as possible in the community. 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 Meaningful Activities Manager Purpose of Post The service delivers a range of activities that are based on the assessed needs of the residents and how they wish to spend their days. Eligibility Criteria Qualifications & Experience 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 The successful candidate will be expected to meet the following criteria: Have a qualification in the area of Horticulture or plant science. Good communication skills both written, verbal and technical Ability to work as part of a team and adapt to social occasions where needed for the service delivery for meaningful activity. An interest and commitment to providing a clean, safe environment for all in a health and social care environment. Previous Horticulture or plant science experience essential. Principal Duties & Responsibilities The post holder will need to engage with residents and support them in developing their skills in plant care. Maintain horticulture area with support in allotments area. Meet with MA manager weekly to plan the areas activities. Maintain a weekly diary of events and attendance at these events. Work with small groups of four residents on a session basis as per structured timetable with activity staff support in horticulture: delivering meaningful activity with a focus on plants, flowers and wellbeing. Work with MA manager on project work within Horticulture department and garden. Attend all mandatory training and essential training where appropriate Promote meaningful activity with a person-centred approach. Ordering of suitable plants and materials and linking with other Horticultures projects or professionals where appropriate and agreed by MA Manager. Abide by the policies of the organisation 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. 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 vacancy available is a Full time / Permanent position The post is pensionable. 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: Care Assistant (6482) Current salary scale with effect from 1st March 2025: €33,699 to €46,984. Working Week The hours allocated to this post are 39 hours per week. 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 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 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 on 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: Horticulture plant science environment