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Chief Medical Scientist – Public Health
Job Specification, Terms & Conditions
Job Title and Grade
Competition
Reference
Closing Date
Proposed Interview
Date (s)
Taking
up
Appointment
Location of Post
Organisational Area
Details of Service
Reporting
Relationship
Purpose of the Post
Chief Medical Scientist – Public Health
(Grade Code 3876)
NRS02296
Tuesday 2nd June 2015 at 12.00 noon
The week commencing Monday 6th July 2015
To be indicated at job offer stage.
University Hospital Waterford
South-South West Hospital Group
The Public Health Laboratory in The University Hospital Waterford provides a regional
service to the HSE South Eastern Area. It provides Microbiological and Scientific expertise
in the examination of food, water and environmental samples. The Public Health
Laboratory is one of seven official food testing laboratories designated under S.I. 95 of
1998 European Communities (Official Control of Foodstuffs) (Approved Laboratories)
Order, 1998.
 Reporting to Laboratory Manager
 Responsible to Consultant Microbiologist
To lead and direct the scientific functions of the Public Health Laboratory and ensure
compliance of scientific analysis with ISO 17025 and statutory regulations.
Principal Duties and
Responsibilities
Service Management
The Chief Medical Scientist will:
 Participate in implementing the laboratory service that supports public health and food
safety regulatory requirements and is consistent with the mission, vision, values and
strategic plan of the Health Service Executive.
 Be responsible for the overall performance of the Public Health Laboratory service in
conjunction with the Consultant Microbiologist.
 Be responsible for organising the receipt, examination and processing of all samples in
the Public Health Laboratory.
 Be responsible for organisation of workload, prioritising tasks to ensure the effective
running of the department.
 Be responsible for maximising the use of available resources within the Public Health
Laboratory and identifying requirements to meet future needs.
 Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the values of the Hospital and ethical code.
 Be actively involved in the change management process.
 Participate in developing and leading the introduction of new ideas and methods
according to hospital policy.
 Participate in the production of an annual departmental report.
 Participate in the determination of departmental policies for improvement of the service
and assessing the needs for additional resources.
 Lead and co-ordinate the work of scientific staff and/or support staff within the
laboratory. Ensure that the team is allocated according to service needs and applying
maximum delegation compatible with safety.
 Identify weaknesses in the Department and promote through consultation, ways of
improvement.
 Supervise and delegate as appropriate, the registration, custody and stock level of the
relevant laboratory reagents, consumables, blood products and other materials held in
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the laboratory.
Ensure that policy relating to the relevant laboratory record keeping is followed.
Participate in the selection of equipment and ensure equipment is fully validated
before use.
Ensure the legislative requirements are met for the examination of all specimens
analysed in the Public Health Laboratory.
Liaise closely with Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA), Environmental Health Service, and the Health Protection
Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
Participate in National Co-ordination of Food surveillance and contract negotiations of
the National Service contract with the FSAI.
Co-ordinate the microbiological monitoring of water and environmental samples of
Acute Hospital Service such as Dialysis, Endoscopy, Pharmacy to enable these critical
services to operate safely.
Work closely with and cooperate fully with the clinical microbiology laboratory to
ensure effective use of available resources for the overall microbiology service.
Participate on hospital and/or external committees as required.
Quality
The Chief Medical Scientist will:
 Ensure appropriate compliance with international and national guidelines and legal
and professional standards for the provision of relevant laboratory services and
actively participate in internal and external quality assurance.
 Be responsible for setting policies, standards and best practice guidelines in
conjunction with appropriate clinical and management groups.
 Participate in the implementation of quality management programmes which are
service-orientated and which measure and audit performance and client satisfaction.
 Oversee the maintenance of a quality management system to ISO17025 accreditation
standard (or equivalent).
 Ensure that the quality management system for Public Health is in tandem with the
quality management system for the clinical laboratory service.
 Integrate lean, six sigma and other techniques into the lab to improve efficiency and
reduce errors.
 Liaise with external inspectors during laboratory inspections.
Financial
The Chief Medical Scientist will:
 Ensure the most effective use of available resources and the smooth running of the
relevant Laboratory service.
 Provide appropriate statistical and management information.
 Prepare budget estimates including a planned programme for replacing capital
equipment.
 Maintain an asset register of appropriate equipment, in conjunction with the Asset
Register of the Hospital.
 Assist with all costing activities within the laboratory.
Information Technology
The Chief Medical Scientist will:
 Participate in the commission of and efficient operation of computer systems for the
Public Laboratory.
 Ensure that relevant laboratory staff make the most effective and efficient use of
developments in information technology for both service provision and administrative
support in a manner, which integrates well with systems throughout the organisation.
 Collect, interpret and present data and information as appropriate and as required on
the relevant laboratory's activity, staffing and expenditure.
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Staff Management
The Chief Medical Scientist will:
 Manage the relevant laboratory staff resources ensuring that staffing levels and skill
mix are appropriate and within the resources allocated.
 Promote a professional, punctual and dedicated team with good open
communications.
 Create and promote healthy working relationships and stimulate initiative among
relevant laboratory staff.
 Motivate team members on a day-to-day basis by agreeing goals and objectives in
keeping with the hospital performance system.
 Maintain teamwork and act in accordance with the hospital's disciplinary policy.
 In consultation with the laboratory management team and National Recruitment
Service, recruit suitable scientific and support staff.
 In consultation with other senior staff prepare work schedules, assign duties and
organise rosters within and across sections to ensure cover for national, routine,
specialised, and out of hours work.
 Ensure that staff are fully trained and competent to carry out all procedures.
 Be responsible for the implementation of hospital HR policies.
Education & Training
The Chief Medical Scientist will:
 Arrange training for the laboratory team as appropriate.
 Actively participate in and promote continuing education and research activities
consistent with the position.
 Facilitate and co-ordinate relevant courses in the appropriate colleges.
 Facilitate arrangements in the relevant laboratory area for educating and training
undergraduates, interns and post-graduate students.
Risk, Health & Safety
The Chief Medical Scientist will:
 Be responsible for identifying, assessing and reporting risks and for contributing to the
management and review of departmental risks.
 Co-ordinate and carry out the Major Emergency Plan according to hospital policy for
isolated incidents or multiple trauma.
 Participate in ensuring that effective safety procedures are in place to comply not only
with the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act, but also within the spirit of the
Hospital's mission, vision and values.
 Assist and co-operate with the Laboratory Management Team in developing best
practice procedures to be followed in preventing and managing accidents occurring in
the laboratory area.
 Develop and co-operate with procedures to reduce and manage accidents occurring in
the laboratory area.
 Receive and record details concerning mishaps, complaints and defects in supplies
and equipment, investigate the circumstances with appropriate team members and
taking the necessary actions and report the findings as required.
 Ensure that staff carry out all their duties in a safe manner, use personal protective
equipment when necessary and are familiar with evacuation procedures.
 Provide training, instruction, information and supervision to assist staff in complying
with their duties under the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act.
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.
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Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or
experience
Each candidate must have, at the latest date of application:
a)
(i) The Bachelor in Science (Applied Science) Honours degree (Biomedical option)
from the University of Dublin/Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street
or
(ii) The Bachelor in Science honours degree in Biomedical Science from the Joint
University College Cork - Cork Institute of Technology course
or
(iii) The Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences of the Dublin Institute of Technology,
Kevin Street or the Cork Institute of Technology or the Galway/Mayo Institute of
Technology (awarded prior to 1994)
or
(iv) A recognised qualification at least equivalent to (i), (ii) or (iii) above
and
b) A post-graduate degree in the field of Medical Laboratory Science, or have attained
the fellowship examination of the Institute of Biomedical Science
and
c) The Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science (FAMLS) or be eligible
for the fellowship
and
d) Have had at least seven years experience in a medical laboratory since qualifying as
a Medical Scientist, two years of which were spent in a promotional post
and
e) The requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and
management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
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
Post
Specific
Requirements
Other
requirements
specific to the post
Skills, competencies
and/or knowledge
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 on the first day of the
month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office
occurs.
Demonstrate depth & breadth of experience in Public Health Microbiology.
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Deputise for the Laboratory Manager as required.
Deputise for the Laboratory IT Manager as required.
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Demonstrate excellent understanding and have good experience of Public Health
practices and procedures
Demonstrate leadership and team management skills
Demonstrate good decision making and problem solving skills
Demonstrate evidence based knowledge in making decisions regarding implementing
new techniques and equipment within the laboratory service
Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organising skills including awareness
of resource management and importance of value for money
Demonstrate ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks
Demonstrate the ability to plan and manage change
Demonstrate an awareness of the laboratory user and the importance of compliance
with regulatory standards at all times
Demonstrate awareness of the importance of quality in laboratory practice
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Competition Specific
Selection Process
Ranking/Short-listing /
Interview
Demonstrate good interpersonal skills including the ability to manage conflict and crisis
situations
Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present information
in a clear and concise manner and the ability to communicate effectively with other
staff
Demonstrate evidence of good computer skills including a working knowledge of
laboratory IT systems
Demonstrate knowledge of Health & safety requirements in a laboratory setting
A ranking and or short-listing exercise may be carried out on the basis of information
supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or short-listing 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.
Code of Practice
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.
The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of
Practice prepared by the Commissioners 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 Codes also specifies the responsibilities placed
on candidates, feedback facilitates for 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
www.careersinhealthcare.ie in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of
Practice, information for candidates or on www.cpsa-online.ie.
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.
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Tenure
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Chief Medical Scientist – Public Health
The appointment is whole-time, permanent and pensionable.
A panel will be formed from this recruitment campaign and future
permanent or specified purpose vacancies of full time or part time
duration will be filled from this panel. 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
€58,683 - €61,347 - €63,690 - €65,000 - €65,000 - €66,769 €68,990 - €71,142 - €73,309
Working Week
Annual Leave
Superannuation
Probation
Protection
of
Persons Reporting
Child
Abuse
Act
1998
The standard working week applying to the post is to be confirmed
at Job Offer stage.
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).
The Annual Leave applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job
Offer stage and as determined by the Organisation of Working Time
Act 1997.
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 31 st
December 2004
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.
As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of
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.
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Infection Control
All HSE Employees must 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.
Ethics
in
Public
Office 1995 and 2001
Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade
VIII salary scale (€ 64,812 as at 01.01.2010) are designated
positions under Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995.
Any person appointed to a designated position must comply with the
requirements of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 as
outlined below;
Positions
remunerated at or
above the minimum
point of the Grade
VIII salary scale (€
64,812 as at 01.01.10)
A) In accordance with Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act
1995, a person holding such a post is required to prepare and
furnish an annual statement of any interests which could materially
influence the performance of the official functions of the post. This
annual statement of interest should be submitted to the Chief
Executive Officer not later than 31st January in the following year.
B) In addition to the annual statement, a person holding such a post
is required, whenever they are performing a function as an
employee of the HSE and have actual knowledge, or a connected
person, has a material interest in a matter to which the function
relates, provide at the time a statement of the facts of that interest.
A person holding such a post should provide such statement to the
Chief Executive Officer. The function in question cannot be
performed unless there are compelling reasons to do so and, if this
is the case, those compelling reasons must be stated in writing and
must be provided to the Chief Executive Officer.
C) A person holding such a post is required under the Ethics in
Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 to act in accordance with any
guidelines or advice published or given by the Standards in Public
Office Commission. Guidelines for public servants on compliance
with the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001
are available on the Standards Commission’s website
http://www.sipo.gov.ie/
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