The purpose of the post is to provide a high quality diagnostic haematology and blood transfusion service.

• The Haematology/Blood Transfusion Laboratory in Connolly Hospital is highly automated and computerised, providing a comprehensive analytical service to the Hospital and to Primary Care in the catchment area.
• Testing is provided in the areas of Clinical Haematology, Coagulation and Blood Transfusion.
• The Haematology/Blood Transfusion service has a key role in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of acute and chronic disease states

The RCSI Hospital Group includes the following hospitals

• Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9
• Cavan General Hospital, Cavan
• Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
• Louth County Hospital, Dundalk,
• Monaghan General Hospital, Monaghan
• Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda
• Rotunda Hospital, Dublin 15

The Academic Partner for the Group is the RCSI. RCSI Hospital Group provides a national service and a regional service to Dublin and the North East and is committed to the provision of world-class care, exceptional clinical services with respect and compassion.

Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown is a major teaching hospital providing a range of acute medical and surgical services, day care, outpatient, diagnostic and support services.  Emergency services are provided on a 365-day, 24 hour basis.  Multi-disciplinary teams representative of medical, nursing, allied health professionals, management and general support staff play a pivotal role in the development, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of these services. 

The hospital is affiliated to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) for medical education, to Dublin City University (DCU) for nursing education and to University College Dublin (UCD), Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and the Institute of Technology for allied health professional education.

Connolly Hospital is one of 8 hospitals in the RCSI Hospitals Group covering a population of over 800,000 people.  Connolly Hospital’s Catchment Population of over 331,000 covers Dublin West, North Kildare and South Meath.

Scientific / Professional

The Medical Scientist will:

• Maintain awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all hospital activities
• Perform to the highest professional standards and participate in implementing a service that supports the clinical needs of patients and is consistent with the mission, vision, values and strategic plan of the HSE
• Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the values of the profession of Medical Scientist
• Participate in the implementation of operational processes to standards of best practice in order to optimise use of resources
• Liaise with other health care professionals as appropriate
• Be responsible for the quality of their work and carry out their duties in accordance with hospital policy
• Perform analytical testing appropriate to a Haematology/Blood Transfusion laboratory
• Perform all activities related to the receipt, analysis and reporting of laboratory specimens
• Actively participate in quality management programmes which are patient centred and which measure and audit performance and client satisfaction
• Perform assigned work to the highest professional standard in accordance with ISO 15189, and laboratory SOPs
• Ensure that procedures are carried out in compliance with international and national guidelines and actively participate in internal and external quality control and quality assurance
• Report all anomalies, near misses, non-conformances, incorrect results immediately to appropriate senior staff
• Ensure all policies in relation to record keeping are followed
• Observe the strictest confidence when dealing with all aspects of patient or hospital information
• In co-operation with the Consultant Heads of Department, Chief Medical Scientist and other designated senior staff, participate in the introduction of new ideas and methods according to HSE policy
• Participate and co-operate in evaluating and validating equipment, consumables and research and development projects
• Carry out the Major Emergency Plan for isolated incidents of multiple trauma as required by hospital policy.

Health & Safety

The Medical Scientist will:

• Implement agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards
• Work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self, patient and others
• Be aware of risk management issues, identify risks and take appropriate action; report any adverse incidents or near misses
• Assist and cooperate with senior staff in procedures aimed at accident prevention in the Laboratory
• Adhere to department policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied for the fulfilment of duty
• Report any malfunctions or defects in equipment or any such suspicions immediately to the Senior Medical Scientist / Chief Medical Scientist
• Have a working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc.

Education & Training

The Medical Scientist will:

• Participate in mandatory training programmes
• Take responsibility for, and keep up to date with current practice by participating in continuing professional development
• Maintain an up-to-date personal training / retraining record in accordance with laboratory policy
• Engage in performance review processes including personal development planning as per laboratory policy
• Facilitate arrangements in the laboratory area for educating and training scientific, medical personnel and others as appropriate
• Co-operate fully with the implementation of new procedures, technologies and IT systems

Administrative

The Medical Scientist will:

• Actively participate in the improvement and development of services by liaising with Senior Medical Scientists / Chief Medical Scientist
• Be familiar with and duly implement all documented procedures and policies
• Participate as required in the registration, custody and stock monitoring of materials held in the laboratory
• Participate in the provision of appropriate statistical and management information
• Make the most effective use of information technology for both patient care and administrative support
• Represent the department at meetings and conferences as designated
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace
• Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Irish Health Service

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties

involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as

appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to

contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Candidates must have at the latest date of application:

1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

(i) Possess a relevant Scientific Qualification (BSc in Biomedical or related Science) or currently in final year of study for a qualification approved by the Medical Scientists Registration Board at CORU.

                                                                                           AND

(ii) Must be a member or be eligible for membership of the ACSLM

                                                                                 AND

(iii) Must be registered with CORU or eligible for membership upon completion of study or in the process of applying for state registration

2. Annual registration

On appointment, practitioners must maintain live annual registration on the Medical Scientists Register maintained by the Medical Scientists Registration Board at CORU.

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

Technical & Professional Expertise

Has a command over the technical/ professional skills and knowledge required within the job holder’s role and continues to upskill to maintain high professional standards and continuous professional development requirements

Resource Management

Manages and utilises the organisation’s resources in the most effective manner to maximise the value for money proposition and to identify costs savings where possible.

Commitment to Quality & Risk Management 

The ability to focus on understanding stakeholder's needs and expectations and to respond effectively and efficiently to them. Has a good knowledge off and is committed to offer a quality service through the achievement of goals, accreditation standards, other organisation/department standards and risk management frameworks and guidelines. 

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Identifies and solves problems by understanding the situation, seeking additional information, developing and weighing alternatives, and choosing the most appropriate course of action given the circumstances.

Communications & Interpersonal Skills

Speaks and writes clearly, fluently and effectively to both individuals and groups; communicates in a manner that will persuade, convince and influence others, in order to motivate, inspire or encourage them to follow a particular course of action.

This Job Description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the position and is subject to regular review and amendment. The role holder will be required to be flexible in this position and is expected to facilitate working additional hours on occasion, when requested.

The RCSI Hospital Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer.