UHWA Senior Medical Scientist

**********PLEASE COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM FULLY, CV'S ARE NOT ACCEPTED********

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

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
• 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-operate with other laboratory departments to ensure a holistic laboratory service is provided for all patients
• Co-ordinate, direct and supervise Medical Scientific, Laboratory Aide and trainee staff in laboratory activities
• 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
• Perform all assigned work to the highest professional standards in accordance with HIQA standards, ISO 15189, ISO 17025 and laboratory SOPs
• Observe the strictest confidence when dealing with all aspects of patient or hospital information
• In co-operation with the Consultant Head of Department, Chief Medical Scientist and other designated senior staff, play a leading role in the introduction of new ideas and methods according to HSE policy
• Ensure laboratory compliance with disease surveillance requirements e.g. CIDR, SARI

Service Provision

The Medical Scientist (Senior Grade) will:

• Perform analytical testing appropriate to a regional microbiology service
• Manage assigned areas of the Laboratory and participate in the routine workload
• Perform all activities related to the receipt, analysis and reporting of laboratory specimens
• Ensure all equipment is operating correctly and all malfunctions are investigated, reported and repaired accordingly
• Supervise and ensure competence of staff to carry out procedures
• Ensure that operational processes are implemented to standards of best practice / standard operating procedures
• Participate in the future development of the department by implementing new procedures, technology, IT systems, work practices etc.
• Evaluate and validate equipment, consumables and research and development projects
• Carry out the Major Emergency Plan for isolated incidents of multiple trauma as required by hospital policy
• Participate in the management of point of care equipment as 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
• Co operate fully with all infection control procedures
• Take appropriate action where any malfunctions or defects in equipment are reported / refer to Chief Medical Scientist where required
• Have a working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare and National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc.

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
• Monitor and maintain up-to-date personal training / retraining records in accordance with laboratory policy
• Engage in the performance and development review processes for departmental personnel.
• Facilitate arrangements in and provide education and training for scientific, medical personnel and others as appropriate

Administrative

The Medical Scientist (Senior Grade) will:

• Assist in managing resources to maximum efficiency 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 other Medical Scientists / Chief Medical Scientist
• Ensure implementation of up-to-date procedures and policies
• Ensure that effective systems are in place for the registration, custody and stock monitoring of materials held in the laboratory
• Monitor the quality of work and ensure full compliance with legal, professional and safety standards
• Ensure all policies relating to record keeping are followed and all laboratory records are retained in accordance with hospital policy, accreditation standards and best practice guidelines
• Participate in designated programs for internal and external control to comply with accreditation requirements
• Participate in the development and review of standard operating procedures
• Ensure non-conformances and complaints are fully investigated, resolved and reported to the chief medical scientist and the quality officer
• Ensure that appropriate statistical and management information is provided as required
• 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 management and development of the laboratory information system
• Represent the department at meetings, conferences, committees etc as assigned
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace
• Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Irish Health Service
• The Senior Medical Scientist may be required to deputise for the Chief Medical Scientist in Microbiology in his/her absence

The above Job Description 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.