Uhwah Senior Medical Scientist

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

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Professional / Clinical

The Medical Scientist, Senior (Histology) will :

• Be required to support the principle that the care of the patient comes first at all times and will approach their work with the flexibility and enthusiasm necessary to make this principle a reality for every patient to the greatest possible degree.
• Maintain throughout the Hospital awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all hospital activities.
• Actively participate in the improvement and development of services within the laboratory in liaison with Chief Medical Scientist and other Senior Laboratory staff.
• Demonstrate behaviour consistence with the Mission and Values of the Hospital.
• Be responsible for the quality of their work and carry out their duties in accordance with hospital policy.
• Perform analytical testing appropriate to a regional histology and immunology (autoantibody) service.
• Manage assigned areas of the laboratory and participate in the routine workload.
• Participate in the work of the Department taking day to day responsibility for planning, prioritising and supervising the work of a section or subsection of the Department in accordance with departmental policy.
• Ensure the performance of assigned work is to the highest professional standard in accordance with HIQA Standards, ISO 15189, and laboratory SOPs.
• Be responsible for performance, maintenance, condition, quality control and record keeping of all instruments within assigned areas of the laboratory. Ensure all equipment malfunctions are investigated, reported and repaired accordingly.
• Be responsible for managing consumables and reagent stocks supplies associated with assigned areas of the laboratory.
• Contribute to the evaluation, procurement, validation and implementation of new analytical equipment, methods and software.
• Maintain and improve quality in the department by participating in and facilitating Quality Assurance and Audit, developing documentation including Policies and Procedures and SOPs to ISO 15189 standards.
• Participate in laboratory meetings particularly in relation to assessment of performance, development of the service and organisational changes. Contribute to effective communication within the department.
• Actively participate in continuing professional development, education and research activities as appropriate to the development of the department.
• Ensure that procedures are carried out in compliance with international and national guidelines and actively participate in internal and external quality control and quality assurance.
• Ensure all policies in relation to record keeping are followed.
• Undertake suitable training and development programmes as required and maintain the required standards of competence when undertaking duties.
• Be familiar with electronic information systems in place & under development and be familiar with and proficient in the use of the information technology systems within the department.
• Be familiar with the Health & Safety policies of the HSE and the department and ensure that they are followed to maintain a safe working environment for all employees and visitors.
• Co-operate with Consultants, Chief Medical Scientist and other designated senior staff, and proactively participate in the introduction of new ideas and methods according to HSE policy.
• Participate and co-operate in evaluating and validating equipment, consumables and research and development projects.
• Be able to work to tight deadlines and re-prioritise work proactively as required.
• Observe the strictest confidence when dealing with all aspects of patient or hospital information.
• Actively participate in Performance management systems which are part of the role.
• Co-operate with other laboratory departments to ensure a holistic laboratory service is provided for all patients.
• Behave at all times in a manner appropriate to your profession and the obligations and constraints of the post, including an awareness of the primacy of the patient, maintaining patient confidentiality and relating to patients, clients and other stakeholders in an understanding and sympathetic way.
• Carry out the Major Emergency Plan for isolated incidents of multiple trauma as required by hospital policy.

Staff Management

The Medical Scientist, Senior (Histology) will :

• Manage and supervise basic grade, support staff and trainees within the department.
• Supervise and ensure competence of staff to carry out procedures, act as coach/mentor as required.
• Promote a culture of learning by participating and assisting in continuous professional development of self and others.
• Design and deliver training to staff within the department to support the training of new and existing medical scientists, student medical scientists and laboratory aides working in their section. Document staff training.
• Promote healthy working relationships and a professional, punctual and dedicated team.
• Facilitate open communication within the department and to other hospital and user sectors.
• Maintain attendance/absence records and duty rosters as required.
• Monitor sickness/absence levels and implement local and national control measures at Department Level. Proactively manage persistent poor staff attendance.
• Ensure that the laboratory standard operating procedures and health and safety policies are understood and carried out by all staff.
• Participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues to promote a cohesive laboratory team and the achievement of team objectives.

Health & Safety

The Medical Scientist, Senior (Histology) 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 senior 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.
• 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.
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Education & Training

The Medical Scientist, Senior (Histology) will :

• Participate in mandatory training programmes.
• Take responsibility for, and keep up to date with current practice by participating in continuing professional development.
• Maintain an up-to-date personal training / retraining record in accordance with laboratory policy.
• Engage in performance review processes including personal development planning as per laboratory policy.
• Facilitate arrangements in the laboratory area for educating and training scientific, medical personnel and others as appropriate.
• Co-operate fully with the implementation of new procedures, technologies and IT systems.

Administrative

The Medical Scientist, Senior (Histology) will :

• Actively participate in the improvement and development of services with the Chief Medical Scientist and other Senior Medical Scientists in collaboration with the Consultant in Administrative Charge.
• Be familiar with and duly implement all documented procedures and policies.
• Participate as required in the registration, custody and stock monitoring of materials held in the laboratory.
• 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.
• Ensure non-conformances and complaints are fully investigated, resolved and reported to the chief medical scientist and the quality officer.
• Participate in the provision of appropriate statistical and management information.
• Make the most effective use of information technology for both patient care and administrative support.
• Represent the department at meetings and conferences as designated.
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace.
• Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Irish Health Service.

Financial

• Ensure most effective use of resources
• Assist in all costing activities within the laboratory
• Provide appropriate statistical and management information as needed

• Policies and Procedures
• Be able to design and implement structured policies and systems for the management of service delivery in consultation with key stakeholders and ensure clear role accountability for service levels, quality and decision making discretion.

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.