The Senior Respiratory Physiologist will be responsible for the provision of a high quality lung function and sleep diagnostic tests and procedures under the direction of the Chief II Respiratory Physiologist.

This campaign will run in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA).

The CPSA is responsible for establishing the principles that should be followed when making an appointment. These are set out in the CPSA Code of Practice. The Code outlines the standards that should be adhered to at each stage of the selection process and sets out the review and appeal mechanisms open to candidates should they be unhappy with a selection process.

The CPSA Code of Practice can be accessed via https://www.cpsa.ie/.

• 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 has a current bed complement of >300 beds.

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.

To assist with the provision of a high level pharmacy service to Willow Day Ward and other wards and departments of Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

The Respiratory & Sleep diagnostic department carries out a large number of non-invasive lung function, cardiopulmonary and sleep investigations as outlined below.  The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge and competence and be suitably qualified to perform/train in all of these areas.

• Conducting a full range of non-invasive respiratory diagnostic tests including spirometry, bronchodilator testing, lung volumes, gas transfer, body plethysmography, airways resistance, maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures, FeNO, Forced Oscillometry.
• Carrying out a range of invasive diagnostic procedures including 6 minute walk/sit to stand tests, skin allergy testing.
• The presentation of test results is the full responsibility of the Senior Respiratory Physiologist
• Recognition of abnormal results and bringing these to the attention of the Respiratory Consultant
• Daily calibration of equipment and regular maintenance and quality assurance checks
• Correct handling of hazardous materials e.g. Special gas mixtures, chemicals, etc.
• Maintaining adequate laboratory supplies
• Proficiency in Cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques
• Contribute to the education of nursing, medical and other staff in the implementation of patient care related to respiratory physiological measurement.
• Every effort must be made to prevent the spread of infection between patients and staff, and ensure that the equipment does not become contaminated.
• The Senior Respiratory Physiologist will be responsible for the care and decontamination of all equipment and accessories used. Senior Respiratory Physiologist must be familiar with and follow the program of infection control. 
• Senior Respiratory Physiologist must stay current with national/departmental quality assurance protocols.
• Maintain clear and accurate patient records according to hospital and professional policies/guidelines.
• Maintain accurate statistics and participate in any audits/evaluation of service as required.
• Participate in research as required. May include database maintenance and merging Lung function & Sleep Diagnostics and Therapy.
• The Senior Respiratory Physiologist may be required to work flexible hours in order to deliver patient oriented service.
• Ensure that any educational materials and information databases which are used are up to date and evidence based.
• Actively participate in continuing Professional Development and ensure that knowledge and training is up to date.
• Supervision of junior staff members in agreement with and/or in the absence of the Chief 11 Respiratory physiologist.
• Assume the role of the department manager during absences

The successful candidate should demonstrate the below:

• Demonstrate the necessary experience and knowledge to carry out the post in a competent and safe manner. Adhere to departmental patient policies and maintain a high standard of safe practice.
• Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organising skills including awareness of importance of value for money.
• Demonstrate ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks.
• Keep records appropriate to his/her office as he/she may be required by the HSE.
• Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the service user including ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect.
• Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills appropriate to the post
• Demonstrate accountability for ones own work and team skills including ability to work with multi-disciplinary team members.
• Demonstrate evidence of computer skills including use of Microsoft word, Excel and email.
• Demonstrate ability to follow instruction, take responsibility for care and cleanliness of all equipment and accessories used.
• Participate in the continuous professional development of the team in compliance with national and international standards
• Provide a quality service for patients by ensuring that every patient is treated as an individual in terms of courtesy, kindness, efficiency, efficacy and confidentiality
• Develop and maintain best practice in the management of the Respiratory service.
• Assist in departmental procedures and policies for all aspects of the service
• Participate in audit and evaluation of services.
• Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the values of the Hospital.
• Safeguard confidentiality of patients’ records and files at all times.
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact and network with all levels and stakeholders in the organisation.
• Have initiative, diplomacy and analytical skills necessary for anticipating changes that are required and working with team to implement any changes.
• Have excellent organisational, administrative, resource and time management skills; the ability to multi task combined with the ability to prioritise.
• Provide a comprehensive range of clinical tests within established guidelines. Contribute to service planning and evaluation as required.
• Have the ability to work independently on his /her initiative and as a member of a team.
• Have good decision making and problem solving skills.
• Adaptability and Flexibility in approach and outlook.
• Have the ability to build effective working relationships with others, co-operate with colleagues to achieve goals and be sensitive to their needs.
• Ensure that clinical standards and standards of patient care are maintained.

General Accountability:

• Ongoing personal development and training
• Participate & attend meetings as required keep staff briefed on developments in the hospital

Service Quality/Accreditation

• Ensure that services are provided to an agreed standard in line with departmental policies and procedures
• Ensure an understanding of the importance and relevance of quality in relation to their every day work
• Collect and present on a regular basis appropriate data in relation to the activity of your department

Information Technology

• Keep up to date with the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for both patient care and administrative support
• Participate in ICT projects in relation to the department

Health & Safety

• Ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply with the Health, Safety & Welfare at Work Act

Confidentiality

You will be aware of the confidential nature of hospital work and in particular the patient’s right to confidentiality. To this end you will not discuss workings of the Hospital or it’s patients with people outside the hospital, except as required to do so in the course of your work. You must return to the hospital upon request and in any event, upon the termination of your employment, all documents or other property of the hospital which are in your possession or under your control. No documents or property of the hospital may be removed from the hospital without prior authorisation.

Note:   

The extent and speed of change in the delivery of healthcare is such that adaptability is essential. The incumbent will be required to maintain, enhance and develop their knowledge, skills and aptitudes necessary to respond to a changing situation. The job description must be regarded as an outline of the major areas of accountability at the present time, which will be reviewed and assessed on an on-going basis.

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 whilst in office.

Each candidate must on closing date for applications

(i)   Possess the BSc in Clinical Measurement from Dublin Institute of Technology/Technological University Dublin

                                                                              Or

(ii)   Possess a certificate in Medical Physics & Physiological Measurement from Dublin Institute of Technology

                                                                              Or

(iii)   Possess an equivalent relevant qualification ( Level 8) or equivalent qualification as confirmed by Irish Institute of Clinical Measurement Science (IICMP)

                                                                                   AND

(IV)   Candidates must have a minimum of 3 years satisfactory relevant post qualification experience.

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.

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 on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.

* A list of ‘other statutory health agencies’ can be found here.

Post Specific Requirements:

Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience relevant to role

Technical & Professional Expertise

Maintains high professional standards including continuous professional development. Supports and implements teh development of technical and professional expertise within the team.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Uses appropriate, clear and concise language (written and verbal) to express complex matters in a manner that is easily understood. 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.

Resource Management

Demonstrates a commitment to the value for money proposition and makes decisions based on a considered approach to the management of resources. Effectively manages and allocates resources within their control.

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Anticipates the consequences of decisions and seeks to eliminate causes of a problem through well thought out analysis. Takes responsibility for decisions and the likely consequences

Commitment to Quality, Safety & Risk management

Ensures the team are clear and informed of the standards and risk management requirements while advocating for a patient centred approach.

Puts processes in place to ensure that quality improvement measures and risk management processes are in place.

Teamwork

Has the ability and desire to cooperatively with others, collaborating to get the job done. Encourage others to share ideas and to participate in discussions and decisions of the team. Monitors the experience of team members to ensure they are experiencing sufficient support.

Flexibility & Adaptability

Foresees and plans for obstacles which may be faced by or within the team.

Implements new approaches and initiatives when necessary to meet new standards and adapts easily to new ways of doing things to improve operational performance.

Leadership & Management

Demonstrates individual leadership skills (e.g. interpersonal, communication, political acumen). Acts as a role model for their team and colleagues and leads by example. Takes the time to provide constructive feedback to others to help improve service delivery

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.