UHWA Temporary Cardiac Physiologist, Chief I

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

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Professional / Clinical / Technical

The Chief I Cardiac Physiologist will:

• Perform the following procedures:
• Resting ECG; interpretation and highlighting abnormal findings
• Exercise stress testing; perform and report
• Ambulatory ECG and BP monitors; fit and analyse
• Pacemaker and ICD/CRT follow-up clinics, reprogramming and reporting
• Transthoracic echocardiography; perform and report
• Cardiac Rhythm home monitoring, manage and report
• Contrast echocardiography; perform and report
• Dobutamine and exercise stress echo; perform and report
• Assist with transoesophageal echocardiography
• Assist with diagnostic and interventional procedures in Cath. Lab
• Assist with primary PCI cases
• Assist with loop, pacemaker and implantable defibrillator implants
• Report procedure findings and highlight abnormal findings to relevant team
• Take part in the current or future on-call rotas within the department
• Conduct and supervise the clinical/technical aspects of a full range of cardiac diagnostic procedures in the Cardiology Department including measurements, analysis and reporting
• Provide immediate life support to patients including defibrillation as required
• Demonstrate skill at interpreting complex clinical information, anticipating potential problems and responding to changes promptly, developing specialised plans of care in conjunction with the wider multidisciplinary team
• Be responsible for the maintenance of standards of practice of self and staff appointed to clinical / designated area(s)
• Be responsible for managing own caseload and for assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of cardiac diagnostic services for service users according to service standards and best practice
• Ensure documentation of reports is in accordance with local service and professional standards
• Communicate verbally and / or in writing results, data interpretation and reports to the relevant team and consultants in accordance with service policy
• Provide first line maintenance, electrical safety checks and calibration of equipment, including cleaning and sterilisation of equipment as appropriate
• Ensure proper utilisation of the CIVIS management system
• Act as a clinical /technical specialist within the cardiac investigations unit and provide clinical/technical advice as required to cardiac physiologists and medical colleagues
• Be aware of and take appropriate consideration of Medical Device Alerts for Pacemakers, ICDs and other applicable devices
• Supervise staff, prioritising and allocating work and promoting positive staff morale and team work in conjunction with the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist
• Remain abreast of clinical/technical developments across a broad range of manufacturers, acting as a point of contact for company representatives in conjunction with the Biomedical/Clinical Engineering Department
• Foster and maintain professional working relationships with colleagues, front line managers, and other healthcare personnel in the team
• Participate as part of a multi-disciplinary team as appropriate, communicating and working in co-operation with other team members
• Attend clinics, review meetings, team meetings, case conferences, as designated by the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist
• Be responsible for the development and maintenance of standards/strategies for quality improvement and outcome measurement
• Conduct audits according to best practice and participate in research where necessary
• Ensure that professional standards are maintained in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation
• Operate within the scope of practice and in accordance with local guidelines
• Observe and maintain strict confidentiality of patient records and staff information
• Carry out their duties, adhering to all policies, procedures and guidelines and legislation as directed by the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist and as required by the Cardiac Diagnostic Department and the Health Service Executive

Health & Safety

The Cardiac Physiologist Chief I will:

• 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, adequately identify, assess, manage and monitor risk within their area of responsibility. Report any risks, incidents or near misses within the Cardiac Department in a timely manner as per the hospitals risk management processes. Participate in investigations and remedial action
• Ensure the safety of self and others and the maintenance of the environments and equipment used in the workplace in accordance with the Health and Safety and Welfare at work Act, 2005 and local policies and procedures
• Be familiar with Hospital and Department Disaster plans and their implementation
• Adhere at all times to Fire Safety Regulations and assist with fire tests, and check access to fire escapes, if required
• Ensure that heightened protective care is taken in any patient case with communicable disease
• Be responsible for the safe and competent use of all equipment and appliances both by clients and staff under their supervision
• 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
• Participate in any relevant investigation as required

Educational

The Cardiac Physiologist Chief I will:

• Participate in mandatory training programmes
• Be responsible for supervision, orientation and training of staff with the aim of maintaining good staff relations, improving staff development and the retention of staff
• Participate in and encourage continuing professional development including in-service training, attending and presenting at conferences / courses relevant to practice, contributing to research etc. as agreed with the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist
• Manage, participate and play a key role in the practice education of student cardiac physiologists. Take part in teaching / training / supervision of other students and attend practice educator courses as appropriate.
• Engage in the HSE performance achievement process in conjunction with the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist

Managerial

The Cardiac Physiologist Chief I will:

• Manage, co-ordinate and supervise Cardiac Physiologists within their area(s) of responsibility ensuring that tasks are allocated based on priority and delegate as appropriate
• Promote positive staff morale, a culture that values diversity and team work in conjunction with hospital management, motivating team members on a day-to-day basis by agreeing goals and objectives
• Be responsible for supervision, training and performance management of staff with the aim of maintaining good staff relations, improving staff development and the retention of staff
• Ensure that the highest possible standards of treatment and care are provided to the patient and to ensure that the quality of patient’s services is a prime concern of all staff member
• Be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of a quality service in line with best practice
• Understand and promote the hospitals commitment to a continuous quality improvement
• Demonstrate the use of highly advanced communication skills and maintain a high level of professionalism when potentially distressing or upsetting situations arise, manage any issues of conflict promptly and effectively to support and promote effective working
• Develop departmental policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines based on best practice and evidence in conjunction with the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist, Consultant Cardiologist and Clinical Director as appropriate
• Promote and facilitate the preparation and implementation of service plans, operational plans, practices and procedures which are quality driven, patient focused and which help to improve efficiency and effectiveness of services and raise and maintain standards and reduce costs
• Oversee the efficient deployment of available resources, identifying opportunities to improve services and continuously reviewing service performance
• Implement HR processes and procedures in accordance with national policies
• Oversee the upkeep of accurate records in line with best clinical governance, organisational requirements, GDPR and the Freedom of Information Acts and render reports and other information / statistics as required
• Engage in IT developments as they apply to service users and service administration
• Work in collaboration with the Biomedical/Clinical Engineering Department, Procurement and Technical Services Department to facilitate and monitor the purchase, loan and maintenance of new and existing equipment through appropriate channels
• Maintain and work to set standards of care and promote the team to adhere with all the policies including infection control, manual handling, health and safety, uniform policy & other HSE policies as appropriate
• Review and evaluate the service regularly, identifying changing needs and opportunities to improve services
• Represent the department at meetings and conferences as appropriate
• Keep up to date with developments within the organisation and the Health Service Executive

Administrative

The Cardiac Physiologist Chief I will:

• Promote good working practice and uniformity of standards of best practice.
• Oversee the upkeep of accurate records in line with best clinical governance, organisational requirements and the Freedom of Information Act, and render reports and other information / statistics as required
• Represent the department at meetings and conferences as appropriate in the absence of the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist
• Liaise with the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist regarding the needs, interests and views of Cardiac Investigations staff
• Participate in the management of stock and equipment
• Engage in IT developments as they apply to service users and service administration
• Keep up to date with developments within the organisation and the Irish Health Service
• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service
• Perform such other duties appropriate to the office as may be assigned by the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist.

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.