Head Driver – 1 Position

The Head Driver plays a key leadership role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and effective operation of the hospital’s transport service. This includes line management of drivers, oversight of vehicle maintenance, responsibility for transport scheduling, and ensuring adherence to health and safety regulations and hospital policies. The role supports resident care and hospital operations by providing a responsive, person-centred, and dignified transport service.

The Head Driver plays a pivotal role in the ongoing development and enhancement of the hospital’s transport services. In addition to managing daily operations, the post holder will be expected to contribute to service improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities for increased efficiency, accessibility, sustainability, and resident satisfaction. The role requires active participation in strategic planning and departmental reviews to ensure transport services remain responsive to the evolving needs of residents, day service attendees, and the wider hospital community.

The Head Driver will

• Contribute to continuous quality improvement and the development of transport-related policies and procedures.
• Work collaboratively with the Resident Services Manager and other departments to support service audits, innovation projects, and sustainability goals.
• Monitor and recommend upgrades in transport technology and systems to improve service delivery and reporting.
• Actively support the training and development of the Driver team in line with hospital strategic goals.
• Represent the transport function during internal reviews, service user feedback discussions, and multidisciplinary planning where relevant.

Leadership and Coordination

• Lead and support the Driver Team, including roster planning, supervision, and induction of new team members.
• Hold regular team meetings and report outcomes to the Resident Services Manager.
• Ensure appropriate driver coverage for day centre, appointments, discharges, off-site events, and internal resident movement.

Compliance & Operational Oversight

• Oversee the maintenance, MOT, insurance, and licensing of all hospital vehicles.
• Ensure use and training of digital tachographs, wheelchair lifts, and safety equipment.
• Maintain compliance with hospital and national safety protocols (HIQA, RSA).
• Monitor use of the Velocity system and maintain digital oversight records.

Driving & Administrative Duties

• Drive hospital vehicles as required.
• Ensure daily, weekly, and monthly vehicle checks are carried out and recorded accurately.
• Coordinate repairs and liaise with garage providers and the Materials Manager.
• Maintain clear records of vehicle faults, service intervals, and incident reports.

Training & Development

• Organise refresher training for all drivers (e.g. Manual Handling, Infection Control, Safeguarding).
• Support onboarding and mentoring of new team members.
• Ensure drivers are trained on use of all transport-related technology.

Resident Interaction & Presentation

• Collect and return Day Centre clients from their homes with dignity and empathy.
• Represent the hospital positively at all times.
• Ensure that all staff are in uniform and uphold hospital values in the community.
• Participate in events, outings, and interdepartmental activities as required.

General Duties

• Report all incidents, near-misses, and vehicle issues immediately.
• Maintain hygiene and cleanliness of all vehicles at all times.
• Follow confidentiality protocols and safeguarding standards strictly.
• Adhere to the hospital’s policies on infection control, attire, and use of PPE.
• Be available in emergency situations and for additional duties as required.

Governance, Compliance & Policies

• Adhere to the Leopardstown Park Hospital policies (e.g. Dignity at Work, Trust in Care, ICT Acceptable Use).
• Stay informed on hospital updates and participate in performance reviews and audits.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators including driver punctuality, complaints, and maintenance compliance.

Essential:

• Full, clean D-Class Driver’s Licence
• 3+ years’ professional driving experience
• 2+ years’ experience in a supervisory or lead role (formal or informal)
• Demonstrated knowledge of vehicle maintenance, tachographs, and transport safety
• Strong communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in spoken and written English
• Flexibility and a solutions-focused approach
• Willingness to undertake relevant training and development

Desirable:

• Prior experience in healthcare, community, or residential transport
• Competence in MS Office or transport scheduling systems (e.g. Velocity)
• Knowledge of HIQA and health & safety compliance in care settings

Age

Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004).  A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age.

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.

Notice Period

The minimum period of notice will be  set out in the contract of employment

Garda Vetting

It is a requirement under HIQA that all staff will be garda vetted each candidate will be required to complete a Garda Vetting form

Sick Leave

Payment of sick leave is at the discretion of management and will be in accordance with Department of Health (DoH)/ Health Service Executive (HSE) regulations. It is the responsibility of the employee to adhere to the protocols relating to notification of sick leave to their immediate line manager, return to work interviews etc.

Hygiene

During employment staff members are required to ensure that the Hospitals’ hygiene and infection control policies are always adhered to. All employees have responsibility to prevent transmission of infection by adhering and implementing optimal hand hygiene and adhering to the hospitals’ hygiene processes. Hygiene is a fundamental component of Leopardstown Park Hospital quality system to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its residents and staff and plays a role in the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections.

Attire

At all times staff will be suitably dressed in accordance with the Hospital dress code policy and will use appropriate personal protection equipment as required.

Policies / Legislation

All hospital policies and procedures form an integral part of an employment contract and may be subject to update and revision, from time to time, in consultation with union representatives as appropriate. Employees are required to familiarise themselves with and comply with all hospital policies, procedures (e.g. Dignity at Work, Trust in Care etc.) and the hospitals’ ethical code of practice. e.g.

Dignity at work, Trust in Care, Computer Usage Policy) and the hospitals ethical codes of practice

Please note the following

The hospital board is not responsible for loss or theft of personal belongings.

• Fire orders must be observed, and staff must attend fire training periodically.
• Staff must attend mandatory (appropriate) training periodically.
• All accidents within the department must be reported immediately and an incident report form submitted to the appropriate officer.
• In line with the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act (2005), smoking is permitted at the discretion of management in designated areas only.
• All staff are advised to avail of preventative inoculations (e.g. Hep B, Flu Vaccine etc.)
• The use of personal mobile phones during work is prohibited.

Probation

A nine-month probation period will apply to all employees. This period may be extended at the discretion of management. The person employed shall cease to be employed at the end of the probationary period, unless the hospital certifies that the probationary period had been satisfactorily discharged. The hospital may at any time during the probationary period, terminate the employment without reason.

 Confidentiality

In the course of your employment, you may have access to or hear information concerning the medical or personal affairs of patients, students, staff and / or other health service business.  Such records and information are strictly confidential and, unless acting on the instruction of an authorised officer, such information must not be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duty.  In addition, records must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them and must be kept in safe custody when no longer required

Skills

• Leadership: Team supervision, rota management, and issue resolution
• Driving: Proficient in large passenger vehicles
• Communication: Calm, respectful, and clear with all stakeholders
• Organisation: Time management and journey planning
• Technical: Tachograph, lift systems, and minor vehicle checks
• Compassionate Service: Person-centred care and support

Competencies

• Safety: Strict adherence to transport and road safety
• Teamwork: Supervises and supports team cohesion
• Adaptability: Responds to changes and emergencies effectively
• Attention to Detail: Maintains high-quality records and checks
• Empathy: Respects dignity and individuality of residents.

Knowledge

• Regulations: Road safety laws, tachograph usage, and passenger safety compliance.
• Health & Safety: Manual handling, infection control, and emergency procedures.
• Vehicle Maintenance: Routine checks and proper use of accessibility equipment.
• Hospital Procedures: Transport schedules, resident care, and confidentiality standards.
• Sustainability: Awareness of eco-friendly driving and hospital green initiatives.

Campaign Specific Selection Process

A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out based on 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 considering 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. 

Short listing / Interview

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.

Tenure

The current vacancy is permanent and Full time.

The post is pensionable. A panel maybe created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration will be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage.

 Remuneration

The Salary scale for the post is in accordance with Health Sector Consolidated Salary Scales