The Physiotherapy Department provides a comprehensive in-patient & outpatient service.  Specialties include Care of the Older Person, Stroke Service (including ESD), ED, MSK, Acute Rehabilitation, Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, Respiratory (Medical & Surgical), Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation & Occupational Health.

There is also a COPD Outreach Service, Integrated Respiratory Care and a Frailty Intervention Team.

An out of hour’s emergency service and week-end service is provided.

The successful candidate will manage an outpatient caseload, primarily comprised of referrals from the Orthopaedic & Rheumatology services.

Post Holder will be based primarily in Physiotherapy OPD managing Orthopaedic & Rheumatology referrals.  However flexibility is required as the post holder may be required to work on occasions, in Orthopaedic In-Patients.

To work in conjunction with other team members in co-ordinating and developing the service to meet the needs of the population it serves in line with the objectives of the organisation. Play a key role in the OPD Orthopaedic & Rheumatology Physiotherapy service provision in Connolly Hospital.  Post Holder will be responsible for the provision of a high quality Physiotherapy service in accordance with standards of professional practice.

The Post Holder will carry out clinical duties and educational duties as required, while developing the Physiotherapy service in line with National Clinical Care Programme. 

The successful candidate will work with the Physiotherapy Manager/ Clinical Specialist & Senior Physiotherapist colleagues/ Consultants in ensuring the co-ordination, development and delivery of a quality, client centred physiotherapy service across all relevant clinical spheres.

Professional reporting relationship for clinical governance and clinical supervision will be to the Head of Discipline through the professional line management structure.

The HSE offer an attractive and competitive relocation package for international candidates.  The relocation package includes allowances payable to candidates to meet initial costs for relocating such as an accommodation and flight allowance up to €4,160 for EU/UK candidates and €4,710 for Non-EU candidates.  Additional costs such as registration fees to Regulatory Bodies, Visa fess etc. are also payable on behalf of the candidate.

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 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.

Professional / Clinical

The Senior Physiotherapist will:

• Be a lead clinician and carry a clinical caseload appropriate to the post
• Be responsible for client assessment, development and implementation of individualised treatment plans that are client centred and in line with best practice
• Be responsible for goal setting in partnership with client, family and other team members as appropriate
• Be responsible for standards of practice of self and staff appointed to clinical / designated area(s)
• Be a clinical resource for other Physiotherapists
• Carry out clinical and educational duties as required.
• Communicate and work in co-operation with the Physiotherapy Manager and other team members in providing an integrated quality service, taking the lead role as required
• Communicate effectively with and provide instruction, guidance and support to, staff, clients, family, carers etc.
• Document client records in accordance with professional standards and departmental policies
• Provide a service in varied locations in line with local policy / guidelines and within appropriate time allocation (e.g. clinic, home visits)
• Participate and be a lead clinician as appropriate in review meetings, case conferences
• Develop and promote professional standards of practice
• Work within own scope of professional competence in line with principles of best practice, professional conduct and clinical governance
• Seek advice of relevant personnel when appropriate / as required
• Operate within the scope of practice of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists
• Provide weekend and on call service where it is a requirement of the post.

Education & Training

The Senior Physiotherapist will:

• Participate in mandatory training programmes
• Take responsibility for, and keep up to date with Physiotherapy practice by participating in continuing professional development such as reflective practice, in service, self-directed learning, research, clinical audit etc.
• Be responsible for the induction and clinical supervision of staff in the designated area(s)Co-ordinate and deliver clinical placements in partnership with universities and clinical educators
• Manage, participate and play a key role in the practice education of student therapists. Take part in teaching / training / supervision / evaluation of staff / students and attend practice educator courses as relevant to role and needs
• Engage in personal development planning and performance review for self and others as required

Quality Safety & Risk

The Senior Physiotherapist will:

• Be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of a quality service in line with best practice
• Develop and monitor implementation of agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards
• Ensure the safety of self and others, and the maintenance of safe environments and equipment used in Physiotherapy in accordance with legislation
• Assess and manage risk in their assigned area(s) of responsibility
• Take the appropriate timely action to manage any incidents or near misses within their assigned area(s)
• Report any deficiency/danger in any aspect of the service to the team or Physiotherapy Manager as appropriate
• Be responsible for the safe and competent use of all equipment, aids and appliances both by clients and staff under their supervision
• Develop and promote quality standards of work and co-operate with quality assurance programmes
• Oversee and monitor the standards of best practice within their Physiotherapy team

Administrative

The Senior Physiotherapist will:

• Contribute to the service planning process
• Assist the Physiotherapy Manager and relevant others in service development encompassing policy development and implementation
• Review and evaluate the Physiotherapy service regularly, identifying changing needs and opportunities to improve services
• Collect and evaluate data about the service area as identified in service plans and demonstrate the achievement of the objectives of the service
• Oversee the upkeep of accurate records in line with best practice
• Collate and maintain accurate statistics and render reports as required
• Represent the department / team at meetings and conferences as appropriate
• Inform the Physiotherapy Manager of staff issues (needs, interests, views) as appropriate
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace
• Participate in the control and ordering of Physiotherapy stock and equipment in conjunction with the Physiotherapy Manager
• Be accountable for the budget, where relevant
• Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Irish Health Service
• Engage in IT developments as they apply to clients and service administration
• Perform such other duties appropriate to the role as may be assigned by the Physiotherapy Manager

The above Job Specification 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 while in office.

Candidates must have at the latest date of application:

1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

a)  Candidate for appointment must hold, on closing date of application:

                                                       AND

(ii)         Be registered on the Physiotherapists Register maintained by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU.             

                                                      AND

b)  All candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability, management, leadership and professional ability) to fulfil the duties of the role.

2. Annual Registration

(i) On appointment practitioners must maintain annual registration on Physiotherapists Register maintained by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU

                                 AND

(ii) Practitioners must confirm annual registration with CORU to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC)

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.

Post Specific Requirements:

• Candidate must demonstrate sufficient depth & breadth of Rheumatology Out-Patient/Orthopaedic/Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy experience in an acute hospital setting.
• Candidate must have sufficient evidence of formal CPD activity in the area of Rheumatology/Orthopaedic/Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy within the past three years.
• Candidate must be eligible to participate in week-end/on-call Orthopaedic & Respiratory service provision.

Technical & Professional Expertise

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

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.

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.

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 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

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.