Chief II Cardiac Physiologist

Job Title: Chief II Cardiac Physiologist

Department: Cardiology

Job Type: Permanent (Full-Time)

Hours: 35 Hours per week

Blackrock Clinic is the leading and longest established private hospital and clinic in Ireland. Since it opened in the mid-1980s, the clinic has consistently built an unparalleled reputation in new high-tech surgical procedures, medical treatments, and ground-breaking diagnostics.

Blackrock Clinic is now part of Blackrock Health private hospital group along with the Hermitage Clinic, Galway Clinic, and Limerick Clinic, some of the most advanced hospitals in Irish private healthcare. As a JCI accredited hospital, Blackrock Clinic is a progressive and pioneering hospital in which care for the patient is central to everything we do.

Role Purpose:

We are looking for a Chief II Cardiac Physiologist who will have overall charge of the administration of the Cardiac Investigations Department. The successful candidate will participate at leadership level in providing high quality and efficient Cardiac Investigations Services to Consultants, Doctors and their patients within Blackrock Clinic.

Qualifications/Experience:

• BSc. in Clinical Measurement Science, Certificate in Medical Physics and Physiological Measurement (MPPM) or hold an equivalent qualification.
• Evidence of post graduate accreditation
• 5+ years working in similar role or equivalent at a similar level
• Sufficient and demonstrable theoretical, practical, and clinical experience which is required to carry out the duties and responsibilities associated with this role and to develop, maintain, monitor and evaluate new and emerging trends.
• Up-to-date knowledge of best practice in delivering a quality service in accordance with relevant legislation and standards.
• Demonstrated evidence of a commitment to continuous professional development.

Key Responsibilities:

The role is responsible for many duties, including but not limited to:

Clinical / Professional

• Operate within the scope of practice of the Irish Institute of Clinical Measurement Science (IICMS) and in accordance with local guidelines.
• Be responsible for the maintenance of standards of practice of self and staff appointed to clinical / designated area(s).
• Oversee the day to day running of the outpatients and inpatient cardiology department, including staffing, and rotas
• Ensure full utilisation and timely access to all diagnostic cardiology tests for outpatients and inpatients and make necessary changes to staffing levels and rotas to accommodate same.
• Be responsible for adhering to implementing policies and protocols and for the development and maintenance of standards/strategies for quality improvement and outcome measurement.
• Be familiar with the techniques and range of equipment used in current medical practice for the diagnosis, treatment and care of cardiac patients including resuscitation equipment.
• 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.
• Carry out history taking and interpretation of request forms.
• Ensure full utilisation of the CVIS, NIMIS, RIS/PACS management system and PAS patient administration system for management of clinical studies, appointments and waiting lists.
• Supervise and conduct the clinical/technical aspects of a full range of cardiac diagnostic procedures in the Cardiology Department including measurements, analysis and reporting.
• Perform procedures, report and highlight abnormal recordings.
• Demonstrate skill at interpreting complex clinical information, anticipating potential problems and responding to changes promptly and effectively and developing specialised plans of care.
• Provide immediate life support to patients including defibrillation as required.
• Act as a clinical/technical specialist within the cardiac investigations unit and provide clinical/technical advice as required to cardiac physiologists and medical colleagues.
• Liaise with the Cardiologists on all clinical issues.

Education and Training

• Ensure all staff within the Cardiology department complete all required mandatory training programmes.
• Be responsible for supervision orientation, training and performance achievement of staff with the aim of maintaining good staff relations, improving staff development and the retention of staff.
• Encourage and promote the on-going professional development of all staff within their area(s) of responsibility. Demonstrate a commitment to and maintain Continuous Professional Development (CPD) continuing to develop specialist knowledge and experience sufficient to maintain professional registration such as BSE, EACVI, NASPE/IBHRE.
• Maintain and enhance expertise through on-going education, training and attendance at relevant courses and conferences.
• Develop patient educational materials and to continually review these with reference to changes in clinical practice and technological advances.
• Be responsible, in partnership with local General Management for the practice education of students.

Quality, Risk Management, Health & Safety

• Implement policies, procedures and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
• Actively participate in risk management issues, adequately identifies, assesses, manages and monitors risk within their area of responsibility. Report any risks, incidents or near misses within the Cardiac investigations and remedial action.
• Ensure the safety of self and others and the maintenance of the environment 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.
• Be responsible for the safe and competent use of all equipment and appliances both by clients and staff under their supervision.
• Ensure that heightened protective care is taken in any patient case with communicable disease.
• 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 protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• Maintain and work to set standards of care and promote the team to adhere with all the policies, procedures etc.
• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient service.

Management

• Provide leadership and support to ensure that the corporate & service objectives of the hospital are understood by all cardiac diagnostic staff.
• Develop cardiac diagnostic investigations / services and policies in conjunction with the Operations Manager, Clinical Director and Consultant Cardiologist.
• 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, raise standards and reduce costs.
• Manage and control department spending in conjunction with the Blackrock Clinic's finance partners
• Manage the department within agreed objectives. Collect and evaluate data about the service and demonstrate the achievement of the service.
• Review and evaluate the cardiac diagnostic service regularly, identifying changing needs and opportunities to improve services.
• Manage, co-ordinate and supervise Cardiac Physiologists within their area(s) of responsibility ensuring that tasks are allocated based on priority and utilising delegation as appropriate.
• Promote positive staff morale and team working in conjunction with hospital management; motivate team members on a day-to-day basis by agreeing goals and objectives.
• Oversee the efficient deployment of available resources, identifying opportunities to improve services and continuously reviewing service performance.
• Ensure that the highest possible standards of treatment and care are provided to the patient and that the quality of patient service is the prime concern of all staff members.
• Demonstrate the use of highly advanced communications 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.
• Promote the Blackrock Health Group's commitment to continuous quality improvement.
• Implement HR processes and procedures in accordance with national policies.
• Participate in selection and interviewing for departmental staff when the time arises.
• Ensure accurate patients records available as required.
• Work in collaboration with the clinical engineering department, procurement, maintenance department to facilitate and monitor the purchase, loan and maintenance of new and existing equipment through appropriate channels.
• Represent the department/team at meetings and conferences as appropriate.
• Act as spokesperson for the Organisation as required.
• Demonstrate pro-active commitment to all communications with internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee the upkeep of accurate records in line with best clinical governance, organisational requirements, GDPR and the Freedom of Information Act, and render reports and other information/statistics as required.
• Engage in IT developments as they apply to service users and service administration.
• Effective planning and organising skills including the ability to meet deadlines, work on own initiative and multi-task.
• Organisational and time management skills, including an ability to deliver objectives within an agreed timeframe.
• Flexibility including an ability to adapt and respond positively in a rapidly changing environment.
• Effective planning skills including awareness of resource management and importance of value for money.

Why work at the Blackrock Clinic:

At the Blackrock Clinic, we are passionate about our people and believe in their development and growth. As a member of the team you can benefit from:

• Competitive salary
• Onsite parking
• Pension
• Discounted cafe
• Sports and Social club
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted onsite pharmacy

Please Note:

Job descriptions are a reflection of the present service requirements and may be subject to review and amendments to meet the changing needs of the service. Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.

Blackrock Clinic is an Equal Opportunities employer, and we are committed to creating an environment that promotes equality and dignity at work.

Blackrock Clinic is committed to providing reasonable accommodation when needed. Please advise if you have particular requirements, so that we can look into arranging reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. You can contact us at HR@blackrockhealth.com

It is essential that you have valid work permission for the Republic of Ireland to take up employment for this position, or in the case of critical skills, you must be eligible for a work permit.