In co-operation with the Consultant Chemical Pathologist and Chief Medical Scientist, the post holder will participate in the delivery of a high quality microbiology service that is in compliance with ISO15189:2012 and which supports the clinical needs of patients and is consistent with the Laboratory Quality Statement, mission, vision, values and strategic plan of the organisation.

The post holder will deputise for the Chief Medical Scientist as required. 

Salary Scale - €55,029 €57,512 €59,715 €61,968 €64,291 €66,572 €68,921 €71,247 €73,590 

A panel will be formed as a result of this campaign from which current and future, permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part-time duration in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda may be filled

The RCSI Hospital Group includes the following hospitals: 

• Beaumont Hospital
• Cavan General Hospital
• Connolly Hospital
• Louth County Hospital
• Monaghan General Hospital
• Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
• Rotunda Hospital

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.

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda which is part of the RSCI Hospital Group, is a major teaching hospital providing a range of acute medical, surgical and maternity 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, midwifery 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 471 beds. 

The Pathology Department provides services to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Louth County Hospital, District Hospitals, Nursing Homes and General Practitioners.  It is a comprehensive clinical diagnostic Laboratory Service which includes Blood Transfusion, Biochemistry, Haematology, Microbiology and Histology.

The Pathology Department provides a comprehensive Consultant led service and is accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 International Standard.  

Scientific / Professional

The Medical Scientist (Senior Grade) will:

• Maintain awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all hospital activities
• Perform to the highest professional standards and participate in developing and implementing a service that supports the clinical needs of patients and is consistent with the mission, vision, values and strategic plan of the HSE
• Supervise staff in service delivery, acting as coach / mentor as required
• Delegate as is consistent in providing a high quality service
• Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the values of the profession of Medical Scientist
• Ensure that operational processes are implemented to standards of best practice /standard operating procedures
• Demonstrate flexibility in accordance with the needs of the service
• Liaise with other health care professionals as appropriate, fostering open, honest and clear communication
• Co-ordinate, direct and supervise Medical Scientific, Laboratory Aide and trainee staff in laboratory activities as required
• Be responsible for the quality of their work and carry out their duties in accordance with hospital policy
• Participate and actively promote and develop quality management programmes which are patient centred and which measure and audit performance and client satisfaction
• Observe the strictest confidence when dealing with all aspects of patient or hospital information
• In co-operation with the Consultant Haematologist, Laboratory Manager, Chief Medical Scientist and other designated senior staff, play a leading role in the introduction of new ideas and methods according to HSE policy
• Evaluate and validate equipment, consumables and research and development projects
• Manage assigned areas of the Laboratory and participate in the routine workload.
• Participate in the on-call rota if required

Health & Safety

The Medical Scientist (Senior Grade) 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 other 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
• Take appropriate action where any malfunctions or defects in equipment are reported /refer to Chief Medical Scientist where required.

Education & Training

The Medical Scientist (Senior Grade) will:

• Participate in mandatory training programmes
• Take responsibility for, and keep up to date with current practice by participating in continuing professional development
• Actively promote continuous professional education and development among all staff in the department.
• Engage in performance review processes including personal development planning as per laboratory policy
• Monitor and maintain up-to-date personal training / retraining records in accordance with laboratory policy
• Actively participate in the training of other staff in the department. 

Administrative

The Medical Scientist (Senior Grade) will:

• Assist in managing resources ensuring that staffing levels and skill mix are appropriate and within the resources allocated
• Assist in motivating team members on a day to day basis by agreeing goals and objectives in keeping with the hospitals anticipated performance system
• Actively participate in the improvement and development of services by liaising with colleagues.
• Ensure implementation of up-to-date procedures and policies
• Engage in the development of the departmental service plan and be responsible for ensuring the delivery of the targets in relation to the designated area.
• Make the most effective use of information technology for both patient care and administrative support.
• Participate in the provision of appropriate statistical and management information
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace
• Represent the department at meetings, conferences, committees, reviews etc. as assigned
• Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Irish Health Service

Candidates must have at the latest date of application: 

Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

Category A:

(i) Individuals who qualified before the 31st March 2019 and have not engaged in the practice of the profession in the Republic of Ireland must:

OR

(ii) Individuals who qualified before the 31st March 2019 and have been engaged in the practice of the profession for less than 2 years fulltime (or an aggregate of 2 years fulltime), in the Republic of Ireland between 31st March 2014 and 30th March 2019 must:

(a) Possess a qualification approved by the Medical Scientists Registration Board at CORU see https://www.coru.ie/about-us/registration-boards/medical-scientists-registration-board/apply-for-registration/

OR

(b) Hold a comparable qualification recognised by the Medical Scientists Registration Board at CORU.

OR

(c) Submit proof to the HSE of their application for recognition of their qualifications from the Medical Scientists Registration Board at CORU by a date specified by the HSE. (HBS Recruit or recruiting unit will specify this date, generally pre interview date).

OR

(d) Hold a qualification previously recognised by the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine (ACSLM) (formerly the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science) up to 31st March 2019.

AND

(e) Possess one of the following NFQ Level 9 post graduate qualifications:

• MSc Clinical Laboratory Science, Dublin Institute of Technology.
• MSc Clinical Chemistry, University of Dublin, Trinity College.
• MSc Biomedical Science, University of Ulster.
• MSc Biomedical Science, Cork Institute of Technology / University College Cork.
• MSc Molecular Pathology, Dublin Institute of Technology / University of Dublin, Trinity College.

OR

(f) An equivalent qualification at minimum Level 9 validated by the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine (ACSLM).

OR

(g) Have attained the Fellowship of the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine awarded before July 2018.

OR

(h) Have attained the Fellowship examination of the Institute of Biomedical Science (Awarded prior to 1999).

AND

(i) Possess four years full time clinical experience (or an aggregate of four years’ full time clinical experience) as a medical scientist in a clinical diagnostic laboratory since qualifying as a medical scientist.

AND

(j) Demonstrate evidence of Continuous Professional Development.

AND

(k) Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

Category B:

Individuals who qualified before the 31st March 2019 and have been engaged in the practice of the profession in the Republic of Ireland for a minimum of 2 years fulltime (or an aggregate of 2 years fulltime), between 31st March 2014 and 30th March 2019 must:

(a) Hold a qualification recognised by the Medical Scientists Registration Board at CORU see https://www.coru.ie/about-us/registration-boards/medical-scientists-registration-board/apply-for-registration/

OR

(b) Hold a qualification previously recognised by the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine (ACSLM) (formerly the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science) up to 31st March 2019.

AND

(c) Possess one of the following NFQ Level 9 post graduate qualifications:

• MSc Clinical Laboratory Science, Dublin Institute of Technology.
• MSc Clinical Chemistry, University of Dublin, Trinity College.
• MSc Biomedical Science, University of Ulster.
• MSc Biomedical Science, Cork Institute of Technology / University College Cork.
• MSc Molecular Pathology, Dublin Institute of Technology / University of Dublin, Trinity College.

OR

(d) An equivalent qualification at minimum Level 9 validated by the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine (ACSLM).

OR

(e) Have attained the Fellowship of the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine awarded before July 2018.

OR

(f) Have attained the Fellowship examination of the Institute of Biomedical Science (Awarded prior to 1999).

AND

(g) Possess four years full time clinical experience (or an aggregate of four years’ full time clinical experience) as a medical scientist in a clinical diagnostic laboratory since qualifying as a medical scientist.

AND

(h) Demonstrate evidence of Continuous Professional Development.

AND

(i)Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

Registration on the Medical Scientists register;

Category A
Appointees who failed to achieve the necessary registration on the Medical Scientists Register maintained by the Medical Scientists Registration Board at CORU cannot continue in the role of a Medical Scientist beyond the 30th March 2021.

Category B
Appointees must have applied for registration with CORU by the 30th March 2021 to continue in the role of a Medical Scientist beyond the 30th March 2021.

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
Candidates 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

Candidates 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.

Post Specific Requirements

• A good knowledge and understanding of the requirements of ISO 15189:2012.
• Demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of principles and practices related to the routine Microbiology Laboratory.

Technical and 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.

Leadership & Management

Manages performance to deliver team goals; demonstrates accountability for leading, directing, monitoring and evaluating RCSI Hospital Group services. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best. Promotes confidence and positive attitude; influences others to follow a common goal.

Commitment to Quality & Risk Management

The ability to focus on understanding stackholder’s needs and expectations and to respond effectively and efficiently to them.   Has a good knowledge of 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.

Analytical Skills

Uses a logical reasoning process to break down and analyse information and data to support effective decision making and other related processes.

Communication & 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