To participate as a Senior Medical Scientist, in providing a high quality and efficient laboratory service to Consultants, Doctors and their patients within the hospital and the community.

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

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.

Please state on your CV your preferred discipline ie, Haematology, Blood Bank, Histology, Microbiology, Biochemistry  etc.  A maximum of 2 preferences only.  Applications with more than 2 preferences will be rejected

The Dublin North East Region 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 HSE provides a national service and a regional service to the Dublin and the North East Region 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 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 Biochemistry, Haematology, Blood Transfusion, Microbiology and Histology.

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

Professional/Clinical

• Maintain throughout the Hospital awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all Hospital activities.
• Actively participate in the improvement and development of services within the Laboratory in liaison with the Chief Medical Scientist and the Laboratory Management Team.
• Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the mission and values of the Hospital.
• Observe the strictest confidence when dealing with all aspects of patient or Hospital information
• Be responsible for the quality of their work and Implement development goals in line with those of hospital management and overall laboratory management.
• Manage/implement resolution of day-to-day problems with laboratory equipment.
• Be responsible for equipment items in the laboratory as designated by the Chief Medical Scientist.
• Participate in daily technical activities as part of the laboratory, in Biochemistry there will be responsibility to support the operation of Point-of-Care-Testing.
• Coordinate in consultation with the Quality Manager and Chief Medical Scientist, the resolution of day-to-day departmental quality issues as they arise.
• Participate in the implementation and maintenance of the Quality Management System to ISO 15189.
• Participate in the preparation and review of standard operating procedures or other Laboratory documents under relevant areas of responsibility, in accordance with the Laboratory’s document control procedures.
• Participate in the reporting of non-conformances, complaints, incidents and near misses and perform corrective actions as required.
• Participate in audits as required.
• Participate in relevant accreditation processes, in particular, the ISO 15189:2022 Standards as governed by the Irish National Accreditation Board.
• Attend all relevant laboratory meetings when required.
• Ensure all equipment malfunctions are investigated, reported and repaired accordingly. · Responsible for managing consumables and reagent stocks supplies associated with the section.
• Contribute to the evaluation, procurement, validation and implementation of new analytical equipment, methods and software.
• Participate in Laboratory meetings particularly in relation to assessment of performance, development of the service and organisational changes. Contribute to effective communication within the Laboratory.
• Actively participate in continuing professional development, education and research activities as appropriate to the development of their section/Laboratory.
• 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.
• Ensure all policies in relation to record keeping are followed.
• Undertake suitable training and development programmes as required and maintain the required standards of competence when undertaking duties.
• Be familiar with electronic information systems in place & under development and be familiar with and proficient in the use of the information technology systems within the Laboratory.
• Be familiar with the Health & Safety policies of the HSE and the department and ensure that they are followed to maintain a safe working environment for all employees and visitors.
• Co-operate with, Consultants, Chief Medical Scientist and other designated senior staff, and proactively participate in the introduction of new ideas and methods according to HSE policies.
• Participate and co-operate where required, in evaluating and validating/verifying equipment, methods and consumables, including IQ, OQ, PQ protocols as appropriate
• Participate and co-operate in research and development projects.
• Participate in the on-call work rota.
• Be able to work to tight deadlines and re-prioritise work proactively as required.
• Behave at all times in a manner appropriate to your profession and the obligations and constraints of the post, including an awareness of the primacy of the patient, maintaining patient confidentiality and relating to patients, clients and other stakeholders in an understanding and sympathetic way.
• Carry out the Major Emergency Plan as required by Laboratory and Hospital policy.

Staff Management

The Medical Scientist, Senior will:

• Train, manage, supervise and encourage development in staff grade, support staff and trainees within the department.
• Deputise for other senior staff/chief medical scientist when required.
• Supervise and ensure competence of staff to carry out procedures.
• Promote a culture of learning by participating and assisting in continuous professional development of self and others.
• Design and deliver training to staff within the Laboratory to support the training of new and existing Medical Scientists and Laboratory Aides working in their section. Document staff training.
• Promote healthy working relationships and a professional, punctual and dedicated team with the objective of implementing departmental development goals in line with those of hospital management and overall laboratory management.
• Facilitate open communication within the Laboratory and to other Hospital and user sectors.
• Ensure that the Laboratory standard operating procedures and health and safety policies are understood and carried out by all staff, under their responsibility.
• Participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues to promote a cohesive Laboratory team and the achievement of team objectives.
• Participate with the Chief Medical Scientist in the annual staff review process.

Health & Safety

The Medical Scientist, Senior 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.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (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 and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service. Education & Training The Medical Scientist, Senior 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.
• 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, Senior will:

• Actively participate in the improvement and development of services with the Chief Medical Scientist and Laboratory Management team.
• 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 Pathology Laboratory.
• Participate in the provision of appropriate statistical and management information.
• Make the most effective use of information technology for both patient care, management communication and administrative support.
• Represent the Laboratory 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.

3877SnrMSALL0325 job specification

Medical Scientist Candidates must have at the latest date of application: 

Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

1. Professional Qualifications & Experience, etc.

• Be registered, or be eligible for registration, on the Medical Scientists Register maintained by the Medical Scientists Registration Board at CORU.

OR

Applicants who satisfy the conditions set out in Section 91 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, (see note 1 below*), must submit proof of application for registration with the Medical Scientists Registration Board at CORU. The acceptable proof is correspondence from the Medical Scientists Registration Board at CORU confirming their application for registration as a Section 91 applicant was received by the 30th March 2021.

AND

• Possess one of the following NFQ Level 9 post graduate qualifications or equivalent qualification at minimum Level 9 validated by the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine;
• MSc Clinical Laboratory Science, Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT).
• MSc Clinical Laboratory Science, Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin).
• MSc Clinical Chemistry, University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD).
• MSc Biomedical Science, University of Ulster (UU)
• MSc Biomedical Science, Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)/University College Cork (UCC).
• MSc Biomedical Science, Munster Technological University (MTU)/University
• College Cork (UCC).
• MSc Molecular Pathology, Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)/University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD).
• MSc Medical Science, Atlantic Technological University (ATU)

OR

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

OR

• Possess Fellowship of the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine awarded before July 2018.

OR

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

AND

• 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

• Demonstrate evidence of Continuous Professional Development.

AND

• Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

AND

• Provide proof of Statutory Registration on the Medical Scientists Register maintained by the Medical Scientists Registration Board at CORU before a contract of employment can be issued (Applicable to Section 38 applicants only).

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character

• Demonstrate evidence of theoretical and practical knowledge relevant to the role.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the requirements of ISO 15189.
• Demonstrate awareness and compliance with HSE policies, procedures, guidelines and standards and promotion of this to others.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify and resolve system failures and anomalies.
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate information, solve problems and make effective decisions.
• Demonstrate experience in documentation preparation.
• Demonstrate evidence of good computer/IT Skills.
• Demonstrate evidence of commitment to continuing professional development.
• Demonstrate flexibility and openness to change.
• Demonstrate evidence of project management skills.
• Demonstrate capacity for management responsibility and demonstration of initiative, including decision making. Improve efficiency within working environment ability to evolve and adapt to a Rapid Changing Environment.
• Be aware of and adhere to relevant standards policies and legislation for example Health and Safety, Freedom of Information Act 1997, HIQA Standards.
• Demonstrate a focus on quality and patient centred service provision.

Planning & Organisation Skills

• Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organising skills.
• Demonstrate experience of managing workloads, ability to work under pressure and multi-task.
• Demonstrate good time management skills.
• Demonstrate evidence of project management skills encompassing all streams of work appropriate with key objectives and priorities to achieve National Regional and internal milestones and responsibilities.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage self in a busy working environment.

Team Skills/Leadership

• Demonstrate experience in staff training and maintaining staff training records.
• Demonstrate ability to work to your own initiative, work independently and as a lead person and ability to manage a team.
• Demonstrate ability to maintain self-control in difficult and challenging situations.
• Demonstrate supervisory, management and leadership experience.

Communication Skills

• Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.
• Maintain good and timely communication with the Chief Medical Scientist about all issues relevant to the running of the department and the Quality Manager about issues relating to service quality.

Financial

• Ensure most effective use of resources.
• Assist in all costing activities within the laboratory.
• Provide appropriate statistical and management information as needed.

Policies and Procedures

• Be able to design and implement structured policies and systems for the management of service delivery in consultation with key stakeholders and ensure clear role accountability for service levels, quality and decision making discretion