Medical Officer

Purpose of the Post

The Senior Medical Officer will assist the M.O.H. in the prevention, investigation, surveillance and control of infectious disease, as per the Infectious Disease Regulations 1981 as amended, and undertake other duties as designated by the Director of Public Health or as appropriate to the office. He/she will be required to work with relevant stakeholders to undertake these functions.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Medical Officer will support the Area Director of Public Health/Director of Public Health and Public Health colleagues in carrying out specific functions designated by the Director or as appropriate to the office which include the following:

Professional/Clinical

·        Undertake duties appropriate to the post in relation to prevention, investigation, surveillance and control of infectious diseases as per Infectious Disease Regulations 1981 as amended (on the advice of a M.O.H).

·        Participate with others in environment and health investigation, surveillance and control.

·        Develop a detailed knowledge of, and participate in the assessment of need for, relevant area / client groups.

·        Participate with the Public Health Team and other health professionals in implementing targets and plans for the Department, also contributing to service planning processes.

·        Participate with the Public Health Team in the promotion of health and well-being.

·        Co-operate and liaise with persons and organisations providing health or social services in the area.

·        Support and guide the Health Protection Nursing Team.

·        Participate in health service research, assist in studies and participate in development of health information systems.

·        Carry out such statutory functions that may be assigned to the SMO.

·        Provide cover for SMO colleagues as and when required and for Specialists in Public Health Medicine in their absence when appropriate.

·        Provide advice and guidance in response to queries from other health care professionals and/or the public in matters pertaining to public health.

·        Provide support in the delivery of public health training and education programmes.

·        Perform other duties/ functions appropriate to the post at the request of the Area Director of Public Health/Director of Public Health.

Education & Training

·        Participate in continuing professional development.

·        Undertake clinical audit

·        Work with the Area Director of Public Health/Director of Public Health and other staff in the Department of Public Health to foster a positive learning environment.

·        Participate in on-going training programmes as required and as appropriate.

Risk, Health & Safety

·        Promote a safe working environment in accordance with Health and Safety legislation

·        Be aware of and implement agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards

·        Actively participate in risk management issues, identify risks and take responsibility for appropriate action

·        Report any adverse incidents in accordance with organisational guidelines

·        As a mandated person under the Children First Act 2015 you will have a legal obligation to report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to TUSLA & to assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report.

·        As this post is one of those designated under the Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a Designated Officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act.  You will remain a Designated Officer for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.

Management

·        Participate in the development and implementation of targets and plans for the Department of Public Health and help review progress and performance against those targets.

·        Participate in and co-operate with the development of appropriate information systems and information technology systems relevant to the provision of community medical services within the care group.

·        To act as spokesperson for the Organisation as required.

·        Demonstrate pro-active commitment to all communications with internal and external stakeholders.

·        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.

·        To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

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 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.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and/ or experience

Candidates must have at the latest date of application:

Professional Qualifications, Experience etc.

a)     Be a medical practitioner who is registered other than provisionally or temporarily in the Register of Medical Practitioners for Ireland or is entitled to be so registered.

b)     Possess a Masters in Public Health / Diploma in Public Health and /or equivalent qualification. Examples would include:

·        MSc in Community Health

·        Master in Community Child Health (UK)

·        Membership of the Faculty of Public Health Medicine (Ireland or UK)

·        Membership of the Irish College of General Practitioners

·        Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (UK)

·        Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (Ireland or UK)

·        Membership of the Faculty of Paediatrics (Ireland or UK)

·        Membership of the Faculty of Occupational Health (Ireland or UK)

c)      Have had, since becoming entitled to full registration, at least five years satisfactory experience in the practice of the medical profession.

Entry to Competition & Subsequent Appointment:

For the purposes of eligibility for entry to any competition or recruitment process associated with this post, a candidate must fulfil the eligibility requirements laid down in the information pack for this post.

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.

Please note that appointment to and continuation in posts that require statutory registration is dependent upon the post holder maintaining annual registration in the relevant division of the register. For further clarification please visit The Medical Council of Ireland.

Post Specific Requirements

Demonstrate your relevant experience in best practice in public health through the pillars of health protection, health and wellbeing, health service improvement and health intelligence.

Other requirements specific to the post

Access to appropriate transport to fulfil the requirements of the role.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Professional/Clinical knowledge

·        Demonstrate some experience in public health medicine and a demonstrable commitment to best practice

·        Demonstrate a high level of clinical and professional knowledge relevant to the role.

·        Demonstrate a high degree of commitment, professionalism and dedication to the philosophy of quality health care provision.

Planning and Organising Resources

·        Demonstrate ability to plan, organise and deliver services in an efficient, effective and resourceful manner, within a model of patient centred care and value for money.

·        Demonstrate ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks.

·        Demonstrate ability to adapt to changing sets of demands / work environment.

Building and Maintaining Relationships: Leadership, Managing People and Team Skills

·        Demonstrate ability to build strong relationships and networks at all levels within and outside the organisation.

·        Demonstrate effective leadership and team skills including the ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment.

·        Demonstrate flexibility and openness to change and ability to lead and support others in a changing environment

·        Demonstrate ability to manage, motivate and develop staff to maximize performance at work

·        Demonstrate the ability to foster a learning culture amongst staff and colleagues to drive continuous improvement in services to patients.

·        Demonstrate ability to work effectively with multi-disciplinary teams

·        Ability to influence others.

Commitment to Quality Service

·        Demonstrate understanding of, and commitment to, the underpinningrequirements and key processes in providing quality patient centred care

·        Demonstrate an ability to monitor and evaluate service performance and levels of care

Evaluating Information and Judging Situations (problem solving and decision making skills)

·        Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills including the ability to evaluate information and make effective decisions especially with regard to service delivery.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

·        Display effective interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills including skills in multi-disciplinary working and the ability to collaborate with colleagues, families, etc. ; the ability to give constructive feedback

·        Demonstrate competency in general use of information technology-computers, office functions, internet for research purposes, email, preparation of presentation materials etc.

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post (as at 01/03/2023) is:

€87,877 €90,370 €92,893 €95,390 €97,890 €100,431 €102,773 €105,115 LSIs

New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and other Public Service Bodies and Statutory Agencies.