With over 20 years of experience in the Nursing Homes Sector, the CareChoice Team is focused on transitioning CareChoice to become the most trusted and respected Nursing Home brand in Ireland. CareChoice currently has 14 nursing homes in Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Waterford and Cork.

We are seeking an experienceced Full-Time Health and Safety Officer to join the CareChoice Team. The successful candidate will be responsible and accountable for the operational provision of effective safety, health and welfare programmes to meet the needs of the Company, staff and stakeholders, in particular our residents.

General Responsibilities

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  Maintain throughout the organisation awareness of the Mission and Values in relation to all safety activities, with primary responsibility for resident safety
• Support the CEOand SMT on all aspects of health ad safety.
• Identify and implement operational processes in regard to health and safety, adhering to best practices and statutory requirements.
• Be responsible for reviewing and updating all Health and Safety Policies, Procedures and systems that support the needs of the Organisation.

Specific Responsibilities

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  Report to and be accountable to the CEO on all matters relating to the safety, health and welfare of residents and staff.
• Review and continuously improve the health and safety management programme for the organisation
• Manage and govern the health and safety management system for the organisation
• Manage and review standard operating procedures for the investigation of critical incidents, accident investigation, and implementation of corrective action, monitoring and review
• Provide professional support and advice to all Department Heads on all aspectsof safety, health, and welfare
• Ensure that there are effective health and safety programmes, policies, procedures, and practices throughout the Organisation in keeping with best practice
• Provide incident data, in particular health and safety data, trend analysis and corrective action taken for presentation on a monthly basis or when requested.
• Design and implement all necessary health and safety training for the organisation
• Ensure the organisation is compliant with all Health and safety legislation and regulations. Along with related HIQA Regulations and any nursing home-related legislation.
• Support management in all aspects of Health and Safety to ensure they are compliant with legislation.
• Liaise with all necessary departments, consultants, and contractors regarding construction work in relation to fire safety, method statements, safety statements and risk assessment to ensure resident, staff and public safety.
• Prepare & submit quarterly/bi-annual reports of all inspections, audits, and incidents, investigations to relevant internal parties. In conjunction with relevant CareChoice staff, develop Quality Improvement Plans (QIP’s) to address areas of non-conformance and submit such plans to the Quality and Safety Committee.
• Responsible for maintaining all inspection, audit, accident and accident investigation records.
• Assist the Dir of Quality in the development, testing, and monitoring of individual Home emergency preparedness.
• Provide health and safety advice and assistance to the Directors of Nursing on National Public Health and Organisational policies, procedures and guidelines pertaining to infectious diseases, body fluid exposures, sharps hazards and clinical practices
• Review PPE and provide advice to DONs/Head of HR to ensure that all staff are provided with adequate and appropriate PPE, and ensure that there is a programme in place for monitoring compliance and actioning non-compliance
• Provide support and guidance to SMT and DONs on health and safety best practices, thus ensuring the health and safety of employees, residents, visitors and other third parties who attend at our Homes

Person Specification:

• Minimum of a Level 8 (or higher) major academic award (e.g. honours Degree or Higher Diploma) in Health and Safety or other relevant area.
• Eligible for Graduate or Higher Membership of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
• Good working knowledge and experience of OHSAS 18001 – Occupational Health and Safety Management System
• Minimum of 3 – 5 years’ experience in an Occupational Health and Safety Advisor/Officer (or equivalent) role, preferably in a Healthcare setting.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills together with strong IT skills
• Excellent planning, organisational and time management skills
• Professional approach, assertive and confidential in all matters

This role will be based in our Corporate Head Office in Blanchardstown Dublin 15 and would require that applicants are available to travel between the 14 homes nationwide.