Physiotherapist Clinical Specialist (Respiratory & ICU)
Job Specification, Terms & Conditions
Job Title & Grade / Physiotherapist Clinical Specialist (Respiratory & ICU)(Grade Code 3707)
Campaign Reference / NRS02349
Closing Date / Wednesday 17 June 2015 @ 12 noon
Taking up appointment / To be indicated at job offer stage.
Proposed Interview Date(s) / Week commencing 13 July 2015
Organisational Area / Health Service Executive (HSE) South
Location of Post / Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Co Cork
South/South West Hospital Group
The caseload will be based primarily in Cork University Hospital. The post holder will provide expertise within Cork University Hospital, St Finbarr’s Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital
Details of Service / Cork University Hospital is the largest single multi-speciality hospital in Ireland. It is the only Level 1 Trauma Hospital in Ireland. Other regional specialities include neurosurgery, plastics and burns, cardiac surgery and cystic fibrosis. It has General and Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Units, Surgical Wards, a Medical Respiratory Ward and COPD Outreach.
The Physiotherapy Department provides physiotherapy care within Cork University Hospital, St. Finbarr’s Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital. The service also provides weekend and on-call services respiratory and orthopaedic services under specific criteria. The Physiotherapy Department provides a service to all specialties.
Reporting Relationship / Reports to:Physiotherapy Manager In-Charge III or a designated officer.
Responsible to: Physiotherapy Manager In-Charge III or a designated officer.
Purpose of the Post /
- To provide an expert clinical service to the ICU and surgical wards
- To provide an expert clinical lead for CUHs respiratory physiotherapists
- To act as a regional education and quality resource for respiratory physiotherapy
- To promote and ensure clinical effectiveness of CUHs respiratory physiotherapists through performance management, education, audit and research.
- The role of the clinical specialist emphasises evaluation and development of the specialist area and research into clinical effectiveness.
- The post holder will be required to collect and analyse data to evaluate the effectiveness of their input. He/she will be required to produce and present reports intermittently when requested.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities /
In addition to the responsibilities of a senior therapist, a physiotherapist clinical specialist will be responsible for:
Supporting seniors in the development, leadership and evaluation of the service provided by respiratory physiotherapists
- The development and maintenance of high standards of clinical practice within that specialist area
- The contribution to a structured process for education of colleagues undergraduates and other disciplines in that specialist area.
- The undertaking of research relevant to their speciality
- The provision of an information resource for junior colleagues
The Physiotherapist Clinical Specialist (Respiratory & ICU) will:
- Be responsible for a clinical caseload.
- Ensure a high standard of physiotherapy assessment, treatment and management is provided for patients under his/her care and ensure that professional standards of practice are adhered to.
- Ensure the privacy and dignity of the patient is respected at all times.
- Work within the multidisciplinary team ethos and liaise with staff to ensure that effective communication takes place at all times.
- Undertake other duties within the hospital as specified by the Physiotherapy Manager including maintaining their own ward competency level and taking part in the on-call rota and weekend rotas.
- Keep abreast of research and practice developments in relevant clinical areas by attending seminars, conferences and post graduate courses.
- Promote changes in work practices, procedures, techniques or technology having regard to the development of best practice and advanced practice in physiotherapy.
- Communicate with other clinical specialists throughout the country and internationally to further develop clinical excellence and research.
- Act as resource in his/her specialist clinical area to physiotherapists and other health care professionals regarding the management of problematic cases, both within the hospital and on a regional / national level.
- Serve on and advise such committees that may be set up relevant to this area of clinical specialty.
- To undertake other appropriate responsibilities consistent with the nature of the post.
The Physiotherapist Clinical Specialist (Respiratory & ICU) will:
- Put in place evaluating mechanisms appropriate to the specialist area and continually audit and evaluate the service with a view to maximising effectiveness, efficiency and quality.
- Collaborate and effectively communicate with the Physiotherapy Manager and multidisciplinary team regarding referral pathways to the specialist area and patient management to ensure a safe, effective and efficient service.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with other physiotherapists in the region and other health professionals and attend multidisciplinary, clinical interest group and staff meetings etc where required.
- Promote changes in work practices, procedures, techniques or technology having regard to the development of best practice and advanced practice in physiotherapy.
- Be aware of resource management and contribute to business planning and continuous quality improvement related to the Physiotherapy Department and the specialist area.
- Advise the Physiotherapy Manager on matters relevant to the optimal functioning of the Physiotherapy Service in the specialist area and in service development of the Physiotherapy Department.
- Assist in the setting and monitoring of clinical standards, policies and procedures, evaluation of clinical practice, quality control & clinical audit.
- Build and maintain good relationships with other services in the HSE Southern Area and with agencies, both statutory and voluntary.
- Undertake other responsibilities as agreed from time to time with the Physiotherapy Manager or other such persons to whom he/she may be accountable to.
The Physiotherapist Clinical Specialist (Respiratory & ICU) will:
- Maintain comprehensive and accurate patient and activity records in line with national documentation standards.
- Compile and prepare reports intermittently as requested.
- Compile reports of a legal nature where necessary, based on the documented physiotherapeutic care of the patient.
The Physiotherapist Clinical Specialist (Respiratory & ICU) will:
- To contribute to continuing professional development activities in the physiotherapy service, and to attend where possible relevant post graduate courses and lectures.
- To co-operate in the provision of safe and productive clinical placements in accordance with the departments commitment to clinical training programmes.
- To serve as a resource to other staff in this area of clinical speciality.
The Physiotherapist Clinical Specialist (Respiratory & ICU) will:
- Draft new and update existing policies and procedures relevant to their role to ensure a safe, effective, efficient service will be delivered.
- Be familiar with and ensure implementation of HSE and department policies and procedures, also ensuring compliance with Health and Safety legislation, Physiotherapy Department Safety Statement etc.
- Collaborate with the physiotherapy manager and deputy physiotherapy managers by contributing to the preparation of risk assessments and safety statement for the Physiotherapy Department.
- Document all accidents, incidents and potential hazards immediately and report them to the Physiotherapy Manager.
- Advise the Physiotherapy Manager regarding any danger/deficiency in the specialist area.
- Attend fire lectures, must observe fire orders and assist in maintaining the fire register.
- Participate as required in Occupational Health and Safety training
- 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.
- Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or experience / Candidates must possess, on the closing date:
(a)
(i)a B.SC (Honours) degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Dublin
or
(ii)the Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
or
(iii)the Bachelor in Physiotherapy (Honours) Degree from the NationalUniversity of Ireland
or
(iv)the Diploma in Physiotherapy of the University of Dublin or the NationalUniversity of Dublin
or
(v)the BSc (Hons) Degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Limerick
or
(vi)An equivalent physiotherapy qualification validated by the Irish Society of
Chartered Physiotherapists
and
(b)Candidates must demonstrate relevant Continuing Professional Development and be
in the process of completing or have completed a relevant post graduate qualification from an accredited institution
and
(c)Candidates must hold a minimum of 5 full time (or equivalent) years post qualification experience of which 3 full time (or equivalent) must be in the required area of specialism
and
(d)Candidates must demonstrate a proven record of clinical expertise in the specialism
and
(e)Candidates must demonstrate achievement in the areas of clinical audit, quality improvement initiatives, practice development, teaching and research.
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.
Post Specific Requirements / Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in the following areasas relevant to the role:
- General intensive care and general surgery
- Cardiothoracic intensive care and cardiothoracic surgery
- Medical respiratory
Other requirements specific to the post / n/a
Skills, competencies and/or knowledge /
- Demonstrate a high level clinical knowledge and evidence based practice to carry the out duties and responsibilities of the role.
- Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge to best practice
- Demonstrate the ability to plan and deliver care in an effective and resourceful manner within a model of person-centred care.
- Demonstrate an ability to manage and develop self and others in a busy working environment
- Demonstrate the ability to effectively evaluate information and make appropriate decisions
- Demonstrate a commitment to assuring high standards and strive for a user centred service
- Display effective communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate with colleagues, families, carers, effective report writing skills etc.
- Demonstrate effective leadership and team skills
- Display awareness and appreciation of the service users and the ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect.
- Demonstrate initiative, flexibility and openness to change
- Demonstrate ability to utilise supervision effectively
- Demonstrate acommitment to continuing professional development
- Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role
Campaign Specific Selection Process
Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview / A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.
Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.
Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.
Code of Practice / The Health Service Executivewill run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, facilities for feedback to applicants on matters relating to their application when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates”.
Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates” or on
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.
This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.
Physiotherapist Clinical Specialist (Respiratory & ICU)
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Tenure / The initial vacancy for this post is permanent and part time (0.5 wte). This post is pensionable. A panel may be formed from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full time or part time duration may be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage.Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004.
Remuneration / The Salary scale (as at 01/01/10) for the post is:
Euro 55,564 – 56,654 – 57,776 – 58,893 – 60,006 – 61,180 – 62,415 – 63,648 – 64,638
(pro rata)
Working Week / The standard working week applying to the post is: 37 hoursper week (pro rata)
HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).
Annual Leave / The annual leave associated with the post is to be confirmed at Job Offer stage
Superannuation / This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st December 2004
Probation / Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.
Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 / This post is one of those designated in accordance with Section 2 of the Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act, 1998. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment in this post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. Such officers will, on receiving a report of child abuse, formally notify the Senior Social Worker in the community care area in which the child is living.
Infection Control / Have a working knowledge of 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.
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