This is a full time specified purpose full time appointment on a POCC Contract by the HSE to be based in Connolly Hospital / National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh

During the appointment the successful candidate will, under the supervision of the Consultant / Clinical Director / Employer, participate in and deliver a quality health care service.

Appointees will be required to actively engage in continuing professional education and development in accordance with organisational / professional requirements.

Bringing community health services and hospitals together means we can take a more patient-centred approach to healthcare.

HSE Dublin and North East provides health and social care to North Dublin, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and most areas of Cavan.

HSE Dublin and North East Region includes the following hospitals;

• Beaumont Hospital
• Cavan General Hospital
• Connolly Hospital
• Louth County Hospital
• Monaghan General Hospital
• Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
• National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh
• Our Lady’s Hospital Navan
• Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
• Rotunda Hospital

Connolly Hospital

Connolly Hospital is located in the West Dublin Village of Blanchardstown. It services a catchment population of 331,000 in Dublin West (including Finglas West and Lucan), North Kildare and South County Meath, and is one of the fastest growing catchment population areas in the country. Connolly Hospital is a 400 bed Dublin Academic Teaching Hospital providing a range of acute medical and surgical clinical services, national Bowel Screen services, acute psychiatric services, psychiatry of old age residential and day services designated residential centres for older persons care, older person day care, outpatient services, diagnostic and support services. Emergency acute general clinical services are provided on a 365 day, 24 hour basis.

National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh

As Ireland's largest elective orthopaedic surgical centre, the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh is dedicated to ensuring patients receive timely diagnosis and treatment so they can return to the lives they love. We provide life-changing treatments for conditions affecting the upper and lower limbs and the spine. Our Bone Tumour Centre provides care for patients with bone and soft tissue tumours and serves as a dedicated surgical oncology centre for the National Sarcoma service.

In addition to adult services, the hospital provides paediatric orthopaedic services for young patients. It also operates a comprehensive rehabilitation programme for elderly patients recovering from acute medical episodes and offers services in rheumatology, as well as sports and exercise medicine.

Standard Duties and responsibilities:

1. The annual Clinical Directorate Service Plan will detail how plans are to be implemented and will be assessed by reference to a series of performance monitoring arrangements. The Employee agrees to complete and submit their plan (ie the consultant-level component of the Clinical Directorate Service Plan) on an annual basis or as required contributing to the Clinical Directorate Service Plan.
2. The Clinical Directorate Service Plan will set out how regulatory and legislative compliance requirements will be achieved by the Employee and the team in which the Employee works for the time being.
3. Certain decision-making functions and commensurate responsibilities may be delegated to the Employee by the Employer. These will be documented in the Clinical Directorate Service Plan.
4. In addition to their normal duties, the Employee may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to their position as may be assigned to them, including deputising as appropriate.
5. The Employer is required to comply with Government policy in respect of the future provision of healthcare. The Employee is required to cooperate and engage proactively with the implementation of such policy including by cooperating with any changes in the organisation of healthcare services (and any consequential changes in reporting relationships), arising from such policy. Subject to the compliance by the Employer with its legal obligations, any significant changes in the organisation of healthcare services implemented by the Employer further to its compliance with Government policy will, prior to implementation, be the subject of consultation by the Employer through established consultation processes
6. The Employee will have line management responsibilities for NCHDs on their team.
7. The Employee is required to work to the Employee’s job description which may be amended during the course of the Employee’s employment. The Employee’s obligations will include the following.
   • To participate in the development of and undertake all duties and functions pertinent to the Employee’s specialty, as set out within the applicable Clinical Directorate Service Plan or alternative Plan for community-based services and in line with policies as specified by the Employer.
   • To discharge any statutory obligations attaching to any particular consultant role held (e.g. the clinical director role under the Mental Health Acts 2001 and 2018, or the medical officer of health role under the Health Acts 1947 to 2020).
   • To ensure that duties and functions are undertaken in a manner that minimises delays for patients and possible disruption of services.
   • To work within the framework of the hospital/agency’s service plan and/or levels of service (volume, types etc.) as determined by the Employer. Service planning for individual clinical services will be progressed through the Clinical Directorate structure or other arrangements as apply.
   • To be subject to the HSE’s Performance Achievement Policy which will be structured to take account of the particular needs of consultants and ensure regular review/appraisal
   • To co-operate with individual and team-based performance review processes as outlined by the Employer, the focus of which will be on quality, patient safety and supporting individual and/or team performance.
   • To deliver a quantity and quality of care that is evidence-based and included in the Clinical Directorate Service Plan and appraised at performance meetings which is aimed at addressing patient care needs and supporting individual professional practice.
   • To carry out the duties of the post in such a way as to achieve high standards of clinical care, conduct and performance of work. In the event that the Employee fails to achieve these standards the Employer’s disciplinary procedure that (for the time being) applies to the Employee will be invoked.
   • To co-operate with the expeditious implementation of the Employer’s disciplinary procedure that (for the time being) applies to the Employee. Any update to the disciplinary policy will apply to the holder of this contract.
   • To lead in clinical programmes of work which include quality improvement, education, both intra and inter-disciplinary, promotion of excellence, and information technology.
   • To formally review the execution of the Clinical Directorate Service Plan with the Clinical Director periodically. The Clinical Directorate Service Plan will be reviewed periodically at the request of the Employee or Clinical Director. The Employee may initially seek internal review of the determinations of the Clinical Director regarding the Clinical Directorate Service Plan as it relates to the Employee’s commitment.
   • To participate in the development and operation of the Clinical Directorate structure and in such management or representative structures as are in place or being developed. The Employee will receive training and support to enable the Employee to participate fully in such structures.
   • To lead and manage the professional development of staff, including establishing and maintaining a positive team culture and enhancing staff engagement.
   • To lead and manage the performance of the consultant team in which the Employee works for the time being to ensure the standards expected by the Employee and the Employer are met.
   • To provide, as appropriate, clinical consultation in their area of designated expertise in respect of patients of other consultants at the request of such persons.
   • To ensure in consultation with the Clinical Director that appropriate senior clinical decision makers cover is available at all times having due regard to the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
   • To supervise and be responsible for diagnosis, treatment and care provided by NCHDs treating patients under the Employee’s care.
   • To participate as an obligation in selection processes for NCHDs and other staff as appropriate. The Employer will provide training as required.
   • To participate in clinical audit and proactive risk management and facilitate production of all data/information required for same in accordance with regulatory, statutory and corporate policies and procedures.
   • To work within the governance structures and accountability of the organisation, to include both corporate and clinical governance arrangements.
   • To participate in and facilitate production of all data/information required to
     • validate delivery of duties and functions,
     • inform planning and
     • manage service delivery in the best interest of quality and patient safety.

• • To support assessment of patient outcomes and institute change in the best interest of patient care and safety.
  • To participate in the use of best evidence to inform safe, high quality care and minimise variation across the health service including development and implementation of, and compliance with national clinical guidance.
  • To support the Clinical Director to consider assessment of patient and health service outcomes as part of performance management and institute change on the basis of audit.
  • To support the use of digital technology, data and quality improvement to improve patient care and service provision.
  • If the Employee is a consultant in public health medicine they will undertake relevant duties and functions in accordance with the foregoing sub-paragraphs and as provided for in the job description for their posts and the agreed public health model.

Clinical Care:

The applicant must be able to demonstrate the ability to provide a level of clinical care required by this post, according to agreed standards.

They must illustrate a high level of verbal and non-verbal communication skills in their ability to relate to patients, parents, families, colleagues, hospital staff and management.

They must demonstrate a satisfactory level of proficiency, to be able to interact with, and participate in hospital management structures as required.

They must demonstrate the capacity to supervise and be responsible for the clinical work of junior trainees and auxiliary staff assigned to his/her care, and to ensure that the particulars are duly and properly recorded.

They must demonstrate skills required for educational training for medical students, junior medical staff, nursing staff and other professions.

They must demonstrate a proven ability to engage in research relating to their specialty.

They must participate in CME &CPD. They must provide evidence of undertaking and initiating audit and quality assurance exercises.

Educational:

Supervise and be responsible for the clinical work and the record keeping of all Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors working and ANPs within the service.

Undertake undergraduate and postgraduate medical teaching duties.

Undertake teaching duties if so requested by the Governing Body of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland on terms to be agreed between the appointee and the Lead Clinician.

Management:

Support the Lead Clinician and work with other consultants to promote the workings of the Department.

Demonstrate active participation in maximising the safe use of all resources within the service planning and provision of high quality medical care.

Support/enable critical review and audit systems within the department including the management of identified risks.

This post will have the following hourly commitment:

- 27 hours Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown

- 10 hours Cappagh Hospital 

The above 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 while in office.

Job Description

Professional Qualifications

 Registration as a specialist in the Specialist Division of the Register of Medical Practitioners maintained by the Medical Council in Ireland in the specialty of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Entry to competition / recruitment process

No candidate will be appointed as a Medical Consultant unless (s)he is registered as a Specialist in the Specialist Division of the Register of Medical Practitioners maintained by the Medical Council of Ireland.

Age

Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where he/she 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.

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the post must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the post and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

A candidate for and any person holding the post must be of good character.

Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organising skills including awareness of resource management and importance of value for money

Demonstrate ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks

Demonstrate effective communication skills including: the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner; the ability to facilitate and manage groups through the learning process; the ability to give constructive feedback to encourage learning

Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the service user

Demonstrate leadership and team management skills including the ability to work with multi-disciplinary team members

Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect.

Technical & 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.

Patient Centred

Demonstrates eagerness to understand patient needs.  Views the patient as central to the delivery of every day service through consistent understanding, tolerance, care support and empathy while promoting empowerment, independence and choice.

Leadership and 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.

Building & Maintaining Relationships

Builds and maintains relationships with a network of people. Recognises the two-way nature of relationships and works to develop mutually beneficial partnerships.  Interacts with others in a manner that builds respects and fosters trust.

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.

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Identifies and solves problems by understanding the situation, seeking additional information, developing and weighing alternatives, and choosing the most appropriate course of action given the circumstances.

Attention of Detail

Is thorough and precise when accomplishing a task showing concerns for all aspects of the job; developing detailed plans; accurately checking processes and tasks

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.