Science Medical jobs in Galway, County Galway

Are you a passionate and experienced health or social care professional?

Have you got what it takes to lead a team in a dynamic, person-centred environment?

Do you know how to balance compassion with compliance and clinical best practice?

Then you could be the perfect fit for a Person in Charge (PIC) role with Ability West in Galway City?

About the Role:

We are currently recruiting for a number of Person in Charge positions in Galway City supporting residential services for adults with intellectual disabilities, some of whom have additional physical or medical needs. Some of the roles will be suitable for persons with advanced healthcare qualification and a social care worker background. Two of the roles require medical experience so the successful candidates will likely have nursing background.

Person in Charge

As PIC, you will:

• Take full responsibility for the running of a designated centre
• Lead and support a team to deliver high-quality, person-centred care
• Ensure compliance with HIQA regulations, the Health Act 2007, and Ability West's core values
• Oversee budgets, staffing, and day-to-day operations
• Build strong relationships with the people we support, their families, and the wider community
• One of these positions is in a state-of-the-art service.

This is more than a management role - it's about creating a true "home from home" for those in your care.

Our residential homes are comfortable and tastefully furnished. Some of the newer properties have state of the art equipment, wide corridors, wet rooms and ceiling hoists to transfer persons supported from their bedroom to bathroom.

Overview of Ability West

For over 62 years, Ability West has been a cornerstone of disability services in Galway, continuing to grow and go from strength to strength. Our commitment to providing high-quality, person-centered support has never been stronger. We remain dedicated to empowering children and adults with intellectual disabilities to live full, meaningful lives. As we evolve, our focus stays firmly on delivering excellence, supporting teams, and driving positive change across the communities we serve.

Ability West provides a broad range of high-quality services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism across Galway City and County. These services include day programmes, residential supports short breaks, community support, rehabilitative training, and multidisciplinary services. Our work is grounded in our Vision, Mission, Core Values, and Strategic Plan - to empower people with disabilities to live selfdirected lives in an equal and inclusive society. Each person we support is valued within an environment that promotes autonomy, health, wellbeing, and the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Overview of Role

The post holder has responsibility for the effective provision and operation of services to adults and children in specified Ability West units which provide residential and short break respite services.

The post holder will work closely with the Area Service Manager about both planning and implementing the effective delivery of services.

Manage and monitor the annual budget, including staffing and all aspects of expenditure within the centre (central and people we support based) and be responsible for operating within approved budgets.

Purpose of Role

The purpose of this job is to ensure that the group home/respite service is run in accordance with Ability West's Strategic Plan, NQS and Ability West's policies, procedures and guidelines, Safety Statement etc., providing a home from home for the people we support and reporting on a regular basis to the Area Service Manager

Key Duties

Be responsible and subject to the overall general direction of the Area Services Manager, for the direction and running of the unit.

Ensure that the people we support are provided with a home like atmosphere and ensure that their health, recreational and other needs are adequately catered for.

Establish and maintain relationships with individuals that are based on respect and equality and that promotes their independence.

Manage and monitor the annual budget, including staffing and all aspects of expenditure within the centre (central and people we support based) and be responsible for operating within approved budgets.

Use of person first language in verbal and written communication.

Help create and add to an atmosphere in which people we support are encouraged to develop individual styles, independence skills and make personal choices.

Ensure the service is fully compliant with National Quality Standards.

Manage the development and implementation of person centred programmes that reflect the individual aspirations and needs of each person we support.

Liaise with staff in other centres and the appropriate professional support staff and ensure that parents and other visitors to the group home are attended to with tact and consideration e.g., NQS inspectors etc.

Foster the participation of people we support in activities within the community and to develop an awareness of, and contact with, the group home among members of the local community.

Liaise with the Supported Living Co-ordinator in relation to identifying people we support who are best suited for independent living models of service and support people we support develop the necessary skills for such a model of service.

Keep such records and submit such reports as may be required by the Area Services Manager.

Complete Core HR on a weekly basis, log incidents on QMIS in a timely manner, review emails and correspondence and submit all reports on activities in your centre as required by management.

Undertake driving duties (Ability West fleet vehicles or own transport) if qualified and meet relevant organisation criteria.

Co-ordination of administration, supervising and recording of prescribed medication in line with Ability West's medication policies and procedures.

Prepare and implement rosters and manage in line with approved budgets, people we support needs, skill mix and keep these under review with team and Area Service Manager as required.

Be responsible for the management and supervision of permanent and relief staff of all grades, ensuring professional and work practices consistently meets the required standard and that development and training needs of your staff are identified and pursued, and that staff are rostered to attend scheduled training as required.

Undertake staff development and support meetings with all staff working in your centre in line with agreed guidelines.

The list of key duties is not exhaustive.

Essential Criteria

For the PIC roles requiring nursing backround, you will have:

• You have a Level 7 (or higher) qualification in Nursing and be registered with NMBI (for nursing applicants)

For the PIC roles with non-nursing backround, you will have:

• Social Care, or Health Science qualification and be CORU registered

Minimum 3 years' management/supervisory experience in health or social care.

CORU registration or in the process of registration.

Level 7+ degree in Applied Social Studies, Intellectual Disability, Psychiatric Nursing, or related field, with current NMBI registration where applicable.

Relevant management qualification.

Proven experience managing a residential service in line with quality, regulatory and legislative standards.

Demonstrated budget management experience.

Strong skills in report writing, personal support planning, people management and roster management.

Full, clean driving licence with access to a vehicle.

Excellent IT skills.

Excellent working knowledge of legislative and regulatory requirements.

Core Competencies

The ability to plan for future needs of people we support within the Unit.

Genuine respect and empathy for diversity and individuality.

Flexible, Responsible, and mature approach to work.

Creativity (e.g., in using community resources, problem solving, dealing with people we support needs).

Professional, accountable, good planning and time management skills.

Exceptional organisational and communication skills are also required.

Excellent administration, organisation and IT skills inclusive of IT based management systems.

What we are offering

Competitive salary:

PIC/Social Care Leader: €54,444-€63,980 (WTE 39/39)

Additional earning potential through premium payments

Unsocial Hours (between hours of 20:00 and 00:00): one sixth of employee's current hourly rate of pay

Night Duty Premium (until 08:00 the following morning): one quarter of employee's current hourly rate of pay

Sleep-In Allowance: Flat rate of €101.60

Saturday Allowance: Flat rate of €15.30

Sunday Allowance (08:00 Sunday morning to 08:00 Monday morning): per hour at same rate of hourly pay as hours worked

Public Holiday Premium (08:00 on the morning of the Public Holiday to 08:00 the following morning): per hour at same rate of hourly pay as hours worked

23 days annual leave

7% employer pension contribution to support your future

Sick Pay Scheme

Paid Maternity & Paternity Leave

Corporate discount on Healthcare

Concession leave - Good Friday

Leadership opportunity in a supportive, person centred organisation

Close Support: As a smaller, personcentred organisation, we work closely with our leaders - you will have direct support, mentorship, and genuine career progression.

Career Progression and Development Opportunities

Comprehensive Training Provided: legislative, Health & Safety and other job-related training provided on an on-going basis.

Bike to Work Scheme

Work life balance: minimum of a fourweek rolling rosters with the opportunity to shape your schedule.

Employee Assistance Program- with regular supervision and ongoing support

Location: Galway City - Rahoon, Newcastle and Knocknacarra

Contract Type: Permanent

Working hours: 36/39hrs per week, with flexibility across weekends, evenings & sleepovers. Rosters issued 4+ weeks ahead to support work-life balance.

Ability West is an Equal Opportunities Employer!

Apply now or informal enquires to: belinda.clery@abilitywest.ie

Closing date:16/10/2026

INAW