The Principal Clinical Engineer will assist/manage the Clinical Engineering Department and its staff in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Louth County Hospital & The Cottage Hospital

The Clinical Engineering Department is responsible for the safety, technical support and management of all electro-medical medical assets. This broad spectrum of equipment includes: diagnostic, analytical, therapeutic, Surgical and life support systems, employed throughout the hospitals. The Clinical Engineering Department currently has a vacancy for a Principal Clinical Engineer. Applicants are invited from suitably qualified and highly motivated individuals, who are seeking a satisfying career, serving the medical profession in a dynamic and quality focused department.

A panel may be formed upon completion of this campaign for posts in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital / The Cottage Hospital and Louth County Hospital.

The RCSI Hospital Group includes the following hospitals: 

• Beaumont Hospital
• Cavan General Hospital
• Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown
• Louth County Hospital
• Monaghan General Hospital
• Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital/The Cottage 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.

  Manage the Clinical Engineering Department in the provision of the following:

Operatios

• To advise hospital management in all matters pertaining to medical device equipment management.

• To manage / provide routine service, calibration, performance testing and electrical safety testing of any electro medical equipment, as part of the Hospital’s Preventative Maintenance Programme.

• To assist/manage in developing and implementing a re-structured, managed service to meet current and future hospital needs.

• To prepare reports,KPI’s, documentation updates and guidance on all service related matters.

• To assist/manage projects & provide effective management of budgets/resources to meet the service needs.

• To display leadership & maintain a high level of staff morale, promoting good communication, team spirit and job satisfaction among members of the Clinical Engineering Department. Strive to ensure that staff are accountable, responsible and have authority to practice and manage within their roles.

• To manage / provide service / repair of any electro medical equipment in workshops, or at the point of equipment.

• To provide acceptance testing and commissioning of new equipment procured by the hospital.

• To provide assessment and assistance in equipment fault investigations.

• To develop specialised expertise within the clinical engineering field.

• To adhere and comply with all relevant safety statements.

• To ensure that all safety requirements, statutory and recommended are met to provide the safest environment for patients, staff and others associated with the operation, control and application of all electro medical equipment.

• To ensure all service and repairs are carried out in a manner that complies with equipment manufacturers recommendations and accepted best practice.

• To carry out all work and duties in a manner that reflects optimum safety / assurance for patients and staff alike.

• To prepare and maintain all necessary documentation and records relating to duties performed, including as required inputting such information to any relevant computer systems for the purpose of enhancing equipment support.

• To provide Hospital management with advice relating to equipment procurement, service and disposal.

• To advise and support staff in relation to all aspects of electro medical equipment use, safety, applications etc. and to demonstrate and instruct equipment users as necessary.

• To participate in any necessary technical training programs and attend any training courses for the purpose of developing or enhancing staff expertise.

• To assist and liaise with other members of Clinical Engineering staff employed in the Hospital Group for the purpose of realising mutual equipment management and support objectives.

• To ensure that the concepts of safety, satisfaction and cost-effectiveness are realised in all aspects of activity and equipment support.

• To recommend and maintain a stock of necessary spare parts for the support of the medical equipment

• To arrange to have services carried out by contractors in situations, where such service cannot be carried out locally in the hospital.

• To supervise external service providers (including service contractors) and ensure that all records are maintained and all contractual obligations are delivered.

• Provision of efficient management of services and external contracts.

• To advise hospital management in relation to medical device equipment maters relative to compliance with HIQA standards and infection control guidelines.

• To ensure that all actions undertaken during the course of employment conforms to best practice and exhibits optimum patient safety and equipment user satisfaction. Such actions should similarly constitute best value for money, and reflect the best interests of the Health Service Executive

• To operate and manage an equipment database management system.

People Management

• Provide clinical and management leadership for HSCP leads and ensure an effective learning environment for the multidisciplinary team and taking an active part in the delivery of care as appropriate.

• Promote an environment that is conducive to the development of best practice, enhances staff retention and promotes good employee relations.

• Maintain a high level of staff morale, promoting good communication, team spirit and job satisfaction among members of the multidisciplinary team. Strive to ensure that staff are accountable, responsible and have authority to practice and manage within their roles.

• Play a role in the recruitment and selection of HSCP staff for the service.

• Ensure that HSCPs are effectively supported with annual reviews and the development of personal development plans.

• Comply with all HR system and policy requirements including recording of relevant data

• Establish a formal mechanism for communication among the HSCP team including schedules for staff meetings.

Learning and Education

• Take personal responsibility for own professional development and keep up to date with evidence based practice and research.

• Attend and participate in relevant staff development programmes on an ongoing basis and sharing knowledge with other staff members.

• Assist in the training of colleagues where required.

• Identify and inform the Learning and Education Team of any training and professional development requirements.

• Attend all mandatory training days and ensure that all mandatary training is in date.

Quality Improvement and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all relevant HSE guidelines, policies, procedures and relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.

• Participate in the continuous review and evaluation of policies, guidelines and existing practices through regular audit programmes and review engaging with the multi-disciplinary team where required.

• Assist in promoting a culture of continuous quality improvement across the organisation.

• Be aware of the core objectives, standards and key performance indicators for the service and contribute to the monitoring of performance against these standards.

• Participate in the requirements of the organisation’s risk management programme.

• Promote the delivery of a high standard of care to all patients.

• Work with members of the team in devising Standard Operating Procedures for the development of the Department/Organisation.

• Assist in ensuring a culture of safety, promoting positive reporting of incidents and near misses; investigate and take remedial action on incidents or near misses involving patients and staff according to organisation’s policies, protocols and guidelines.

In exercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 22 of the Health Act 2004, I hereby approve the qualifications, as set out hereunder, for the appointment and continuing as Clinical Engineering Technician, Principal.
1.
Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc
(a)Candidates must

(i)Hold as a minimum a recognised qualification at National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), Level 7 or higher, in one of the following engineering disciplines;

(i.1) Electronic,
(i.2) Electrical,
(i.3) Instrument Physics,
(i.4) Industrial Instrumentation,
(i.5) Applied Physics,
(i.6) Mechanical,
(i.7) Mechtronic,
(i.8) Biomedical Engineering;

or

(ii)Hold a recognised qualification at least equivalent to one of the above

and

(iii)Have a minimum of five years postgraduate satisfactory and relevant experience in an appropriate medical industrial field including at least three years in a clinical engineering environment;

and

(b)Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and administrative capacity) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

2.Age
Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where s/he is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) 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.

3.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.

4.Character
Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Interpersonal/Communication Skills

     Demonstrate effective communication skills including:

• The ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.
• The ability to build working relationships with other members of the Team as well as Multi Disciplinary teams.

Planning & Organising

• Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organising skills including awareness of resource management and importance of value for money.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Demonstrate effective time management skills.

Professional Knowledge

Demonstrate evidence of up-to-date knowledge and skills in the electro Medical Engineering field including: -

• Knowledge of appropriate engineering principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of relevant standards and directives relating to medical equipment.
• Knowledge of Equipment management principles.

Leadership/Teamwork

• Work reliably within the Team without close supervision.
• Advise multidisciplinary and management teams on equipment related issues.
• Contribute to the development of the service.

Health & Safety/Legislation

• Demonstrate evidence of knowledge of Health and Safety and how it pertains to the workplace.
• Freedom of Information Legislation.
• Apply Safe and Environmentally friendly work practice.