POSITION TITLE

Facility and Grounds Officer

CLASSIFICATION

Aged Care Award 2010

POSITION OBJECTIVES

The Facility and Grounds Officer is responsible for the grounds, maintenance and upkeep of the property, buildings and furniture to a high standard.

The Facility and Grounds Officer will have an understanding of Work Health and Safety principles and ensure safe work practices are followed at all times.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• There are not formal education requirements for this position
• Knowledge of the Work Health and Safety Act and has an understanding of the required responsibilities as an employee.
• Is capable of prioritising work within established policies, guidelines and procedures.
• Is responsible for work performed with a medium level of accountability or discretion.
• Works under limited supervision, either individually or in a team.
• Possesses good communication, interpersonal and/or arithmetic skills.
• Meet all employment conditions of working within a Residential Aged Care Facility.

ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Is directly responsible to the Residential Services Manager who is also accountable for development and performance management.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• breaches of the code; or
• incidents reported through the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)

• To behave in a respectful, courteous manner to all staff, care recipients, relatives and visitors, respecting their privacy and rights.
• To set goals for personal professional growth and to participate in ongoing education programs.
• To keep all matters relating to care recipients and St. Joseph’s House confidential.
• To participate in the performance appraisal process and to respond positively to suggestions and critical appraisals by setting short and long term objectives.
• To maintain a well groomed and professional appearance in accordance with St. Joseph’s House uniform directives.
• To communicate with staff, care recipients, relatives and visitors in a professional and courteous manner using language, which is appropriate in a Christian organisation and considers the needs of people with disabilities.
• Provide and maintain a national police check/certificate which is no more than 3 years old and notify the Residential Services Manager if he/she is convicted of a precluding offence committed after the police certificate is obtained.
• To be aware of aged care worker responsibilities relating to the Aged Care Code of Conduct and participate, where required, in any investigation relating to:

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To adhere to policies and procedures of St Joseph’s House.
• To accept responsibility for one’s own actions and to be a committed team member.
• To communicate and record all relevant information promptly and accurately to the appropriate personnel.
• To refer all enquiries about care recipient’s needs to the CNC or RN in charge.
• To comply with policies governing sick leave and absences from duty.
• To be responsible for efficient, effective and economic use of available resources.
• To help generate an atmosphere of homeliness.
• To be punctual for duty.
• To be familiar with the Aged Care Quality Standards and relevant legislation.
• To participate in and be committed to quality improvement activities and accreditation procedures within St Joseph’s House.
• To assist in the prioritising and planning of daily work and specific areas of function which meets the needs of St Joseph’s House.
• To adhere to correct manual handling techniques using the SafeWorkSA Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice principles of controlling the risks associated with manual tasks.
• To be familiar with emergency procedures and safety and security precautions.
• To attend compulsory training sessions.

DUTIES

• Minor pruning / cutting, weeding, weed spraying and similar garden functions.
• Carry out a range of cleaning tasks including the clearing of cobwebs, pressure cleaning and window cleaning, as well as collecting and removing litter.
• Ensure the proper and safe use and storage of all materials, chemicals, consumables and gardening equipment.
• Carry out repairs and maintenance tasks on a range of equipment, furniture, buildings and facilities.
• Pro-actively identify maintenance and repair tasks needed and carry out the necessary maintenance.
• Carry out checks and inspections as necessary to ensure equipment is safe, reliable and well maintained.
• Remove (where possible) and report any safety hazards.
• Minor building construction.
• Electrical testing and tagging of individual pieces of equipment, only where the person is the holder of an electrical work licence (under the Act); or bring to the appropriate attention any testing and tagging required.
• Effectively utilise the maintenance reporting system (LeeCare).
• Conduct and document regular inspections to ensure Work Health and Safety and Fire Safety compliance.
• Communicate and liaise with a wide range of personnel, external contractors and tradespersons in relation to damage to the facility, lost property and repair and maintenance.
• Any other duties as directed by the Residential Services Manager

WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY RESONSIBILITY, AUTHORITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The Worker is responsible for:

Responsibilities:

• Take reasonable care of others and yourself in the workplace.
• Take reasonable care that your acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons.
• Comply, so far as you are reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction that is given by St Joseph’s House that allows us to comply with the WHS Act 2011 (Cth).
• Co-operate with any reasonable policy or procedure of St Joseph’s House or Catholic Safety Health and Welfare SA relating to health or safety at the workplace that has been notified to workers.
• Do not bypass or misuse systems or equipment provided for any purpose.
• Report unsafe conditions or acts which come to your attention and address where possible. Notify your supervisor / RSM of actual or potential WHS risks in your work area.
• Notify your supervisor / RSM of incidents, injury, and pain or discomfort following a work related injury / activity as soon as possible, preferably in the shift it occurs, but no later than 24 hours

Authority:

All workers are authorised to:

• Stop any activity where there is imminent risk of harm to self or others and to the environment and notify your supervisor / RSM as soon as possible.
• Instruct others to stop a task considered to present a risk to health, safety and the environment and notify your supervisor / RSM as soon as possible.
• Raise and / or discuss health, safety, environment and quality matters with your supervisor or the RSM.
• Notify your supervisor or the RSM on any health safety, environment and quality matters outside of one’s ability or capacity to control.
• Escalate health, safety, environment and quality matters to an appropriate level.

Accountability:

St Joseph’s House utilises a number of accountability processes to assess performance relating to the implementation of management system responsibilities. These processes apply to all personnel and are performance based.

The key process may include:

• Supervisory arrangements (in accordance with the organisational structures);
• System review and verification activities (such as audits); and
• Performance appraisals.