Basic Grade Cardiac Physiologist - Full Time Permanent
Job Details 08.005 (2024)
Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is an exciting and dynamic place to work. The team at the Hospital are in the midst of implementing a new hospital strategy that has already delivered on the opening of a new renal unit, day surgery centre, step down facility in the community and the start of building works on a new ICU extension. It is an exciting time to join the TUH team and one of Ireland’s main teaching hospitals with so many plans to enhance patient care. The Hospital believes in investing in their team and offers excellent education and research opportunities.

TUH is one of the two main academic teaching hospitals of Trinity College Dublin - specialising in the training and professional development of staff in areas such as medicine nursing, health and social care professionals, emergency medicine and surgery, amongst many others. TUH is part of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group which serves a population of over 1.2 million across seven counties.

TUH is one of Ireland’s largest acute teaching hospitals, adult, psychiatric and age-related healthcare on one site. The Hospital has 450 adult beds with over 3,500 people on staff and more than 50 different nationalities represented. The Hospital is a provider of local, regional and national specialties. It is also a national urology centre, the second largest provider of dialysis services in the country, a regional orthopaedic trauma centre and a designated trauma unit.
Another area of development for the hospital is their involvement in the Enhanced Community Care Plan developed by HSE Community Strategy and Planning together with the Integrated Care Programme for the Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease (ICPCD) over the last year. Funding has been allocated to roll out and scale-up community healthcare services to support the provision of integrated end-to-end care. The ICPCD is supporting a model of integrated care that has a particular focus on preventive healthcare, early intervention and supports to live well with chronic disease.

The CHO will work to implement the ‘Integrated Model of Care for the Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease’ in their area. This model of care supports the provision of health care as close to home as possible. It provides access to community diagnostics, community specialist multidisciplinary team services and timely specialist opinion within the specialist ambulatory care hub in order to support the provision of care to patient with chronic disease.

TUH Vision and Values

The vision of the Hospital is “People Caring for People to Live Better Lives” through excellent health outcomes supported by evidenced based practice, positive patient and staff experience in an empowering and caring environment. A culture of innovation and quality improvement in everything we do.

Our TUH CARE values – for patients, their families, our community and staff are:

• Collaborate – together and with our academic and care partners
• Achieve – our goals, positive outcomes and wellbeing
• Respect – for patients, each other and our environment
• Equity – for patients and staff

At TUH we view our staff as our most valuable asset and every member of the Team is valued equally. We recognise that a skilled, satisfied and motivated workforce is a prerequisite to high quality care

A full overview of TUH is available on www.tuh.ie/about us

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the general direction of the Consultant Cardiologist or other duly authorised Officers, the Physiologist will undertake the duties appropriate to a Cardiac Physiologist, subject to the supervision of the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist or other such person designated for that purpose by the Chief II. The Cardiac Physiologist will work across the Tallaght Hospital Campus.
The Physiologist should be familiar with the techniques and range of equipment used in current medical practice for the diagnosis, treatment and care of cardiac patients. A complete understanding of all such procedures and an ability to make accurate measurements is essential.
1. Clinical Duties

• Adherence to departmental patient policies at all times.
• Provide high standard of safe practice for patient care.
• Conduct and interpret a full range of non-invasive cardiac diagnostic tests including Resting ECG’s, Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring, Holter Monitoring, Event Monitoring, Physiologist Managed Exercise Stress Testing, Cardiac Electronic Implantable Devices (C.E.I.D’s) follow-up and programming and Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE).

1.4 Conduct the technical/physiological measurement aspects of a full range of invasive cardiac diagnostic in the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory including pressure measurements and analysis, ECG monitoring, cardiac output, oxygen saturation determination.
1.5 Conduct the technical support required for therapeutic procedures including Electrophysiology, pacemaker implantation, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) fractional flow reserve measurement (FFR) and Intra-aortic balloon pump.
1.6 Provide first line maintenance, electrical safety checking and calibration of equipment.

• Teach and supervise students undertaking the BSc in Clinical Measurement in all of the above procedures, medical students to perform ECG and generally information with regard to cardiology diagnostic tests and other staff as designated by the Lead Clinician or Chief II Cardiac Physiologist.
• Support nursing, medical and technical staff in the implementation of patient care involving technology.
• Contribute as required to the development of training programs for established staff and external groups.
• Perform such duties appropriate to the officer as may be assigned from time to time.
• Act for other staff in their absence as required.
• Use Cardiovascular Information System (CVIS)/ Intelli Space Cardiovascular (ISCV).

2. Administrative Responsibilities (in no particular order of importance

• Adhere to hospital policies and procedures in all aspects of care.
• Participate in cost awareness and cost control policies in department utilisation systems for audit purposes (I.T. or Paper).
• Display qualities of leadership and good communication with all users of service and other service providers.
• Assist when required in the drawing up, up-dating and implementation of department policies.
• The Physiologist will be responsible for the care and cleanliness of all equipment and accessories used by him/her.
• Attend meetings of the Department/outreach clinic as required.
• Use knowledge, judgment and experience to develop ways of coping with crisis situation ie. Patient and staff.
• Report accidents and incidents. Participate in the investigation and remedial action.
• Be familiar with Hospital & Departmental Disaster Plans and its implementations.
• Observe daily and uphold cleaning standards in the department/outreach clinic. Report any inadequacies.

• Education
• To attend staff “In-Service” training programs.
• As medical procedures change and new developments are introduced the Physiologist must update his/her knowledge and training accordingly. Study leave for appropriate in-service training and presentation of research data will be supported where possible.

• Self-Development

4.1 Maintain a personal record of professional development.
4.2 Act as a role model
4.3 Ensure that development is research based.
4.4 Develop/foster research in cardiology.
4.5 Assist in maintaining a level of excellence in patient care by maintaining standards
4.6 Supporting the overall management of the Department.

QUALIFICATIONS
Each candidate must on the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office:

• Be an Associate of the Society for Cardiological Science and Technology (A.S.C.S.T.) (or equivalent qualification).

and

• Possess the Certificate (or equivalent qualification) in Medical Physics and Physiological Measurement from Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street or from a similar institution.

or

• be a member of the Society of Cardiological Science and Technology (M.S.C.S.T.) (or equivalent qualification)

or

• After 2005 BSc in Clinical Measurement (or equivalent).

• IF YOU HAVE AN EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATION IT MUST BE RATIFIED BY THE IRISH INSITUTE of CLINCIAL MEASUREMENT SCIENCE (IICMS). PROOF OF RATIFICATION SHOULD BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR CV.
• See Website of the Irish Institute of Clinical Measurement Science for details on how to have your qualification ratified.

Essential Criteria

• Be able to perform 12 Lead Resting ECG’s
• Perform Exercise Stress Testing
• Ambulatory Monitoring

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience in echocardiography, with British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) or European Society Echocardiography (ESE) of adult accreditation.
• Experience in device follow-up ,EHRA/BHRS or equivalent certification.
• Experience in Cardiac Catheterisation procedures and device implant

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certificate (ACLS).

TUH Core Competencies:
Please go to www.tuh/careers for details of the core competencies

Informal Enquiries to: Ms. Ann Simpson, Chief II Cardiac Physiologist Phone 0035314144008 or 0035314143059

Closing Date: Before close of business on: 13th September 2024

• IF YOU HAVE AN EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATION IT MUST BE RATIFIED BY THE IRISH INSITUTE of CLINCIAL MEASUREMENT SCIENCE (IICMS). PROOF OF RATIFICATION SHOULD BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR CV.

See Website of the Irish Institute of Clinical Measurement Science for details on how to have your qualification ratified.


All candidates should note that, in order to maintain a timely process, the closing date and time for receipt of applications will be strictly adhered to.
Applications must be submitted ‘on-line’ at www.tuh.ie/careers by completing the application form and attaching your CV. Candidates should be aware that, when applying for a post through the 'On-Line' Application System (Candidate Manager) they will receive an automated replying acknowledging receipt of their application. Should you for any reason, not receive this automated acknowledgement, you should notify the Human Resources Department, before the closing date, otherwise your application will not be considered.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Age Restrictions in Relation To Applications
Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant
(within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) 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 applications for the office occurs.

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 as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Garda Vetting
Garda vetting is sought for all employees and prospective employees of Tallaght University Hospital. Given the specialised nature of the services provided, your appointment will be subject to satisfactory Garda vetting and re-vetting in circumstances where the Hospital deems it appropriate. The Hospital will then process the necessary documentation to endeavour to obtain the satisfactory Garda clearance for you. You are obliged to disclose previous and any criminal convictions acquitted during the course of your employment. Should the Hospital obtain information from the Garda vetting unit to indicate that your Garda clearance report is not satisfactory and / or if you have supplied the Hospital with false or misleading information in relation to your Garda clearance status, the Hospital reserves the right to withdraw or terminate the contract in with Tallaght University Hospital Garda vetting policy.
Point on Salary Scale
New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognise 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.

Probation
The probationary period may be extended at the Hospital’s discretion but will not in any case exceed 9 months. Confirmation of your appointment as a permanent member of staff is subject to the successful completion of the probation period. Termination of this agreement within the probationary period shall be at the discretion of the Hospital, in accordance with the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973 - 2001.

Termination of Employment
The employment may be terminated at any time by one months’ notice on either side except where circumstances are dictated by the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973/91. The Management’s right under this paragraph shall not be exercised save in circumstances where the Management is of the opinion that the holder of the office has failed to perform satisfactorily the duties of the post or has misconducted himself/herself in relation to the post or is otherwise unfit to hold the appointment.

Annual leave
The annual leave entitlement 28 working days per year. The leave year runs from 1st April to the 31st of March each year.

Working hours

• Normal working hours are 35 worked over 5 days. Your contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8 am to 8 pm over 7 days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement.
• Location of post diagnostic departments Tallaght University Campus

Sick Leave

• There is provision for sick pay at the Hospitals discretion, subject to the regulations and details found in the Staff Handbook/ Personnel Policy Manual, as per the Hospitals sick leave policy.
• In the event of absence from work, you are required to contact your Manager/Supervisor within one hour of starting time on the first day of absence, while a Medical Certificate is required for any illness lasting in excess of two days. Failure to comply with the sick leave policy may result in a loss of pay for the period of absence and may also incur disciplinary action.

Information Technology & data

• Make the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for both patient care and administrative support in a manner which integrates well with systems throughout the organisation.
• Collect, interpret and present data and information on the Department’s activities, staffing and expenditure, as required.

Pension Arrangements and Retirement age

There are three superannuation schemes currently in operation for staff in Tallaght University Hospital:
(a) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant)
(b) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant)
(c) Single Public Service Pension Scheme
Please read carefully the summary of the criteria for the three superannuation schemes below. This will assist you in identifying which scheme membership is applicable to your employment circumstances.
(a) If you have been continually employed in the public service prior to the 1st April 2004 and you have not had a break in service of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant) with a Minimum Retirement Age of 60 and a Maximum Retirement Age of 65.
(b) If you have been continually employed in the public service post the 1st April 2004 and you have not had a break in service of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant) with a Minimum Retirement Age of 65. There is no Maximum Retirement Age.
(c) If you have commenced employment in the public service as a new entrant or you are a former public servant, returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Single Public Service Pension Scheme effective from the 1st January 2013 with a minimum retirement age of 66 (rising to 67 and 68 in line with state pension changes). The maximum retirement age under this scheme will be age 70.

Health & Safety

• All employees must comply with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.
• Comply with relevant Health and Safety responsibilities as outlined in Hospital Polices, Protocols and Procedures relevant to your area.
• Take reasonable care to protect your own safety, health and welfare and that of any other person who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work.

Hygiene / Infection prevention and control

• All employees have responsibility for Hygiene awareness. Hygiene is defined as “The practice that serves to keep people and environments clean and prevent infection.”
• All employees also have a responsibility under their terms of employment to prevent transmission of infection and to follow the hospital infection control policies and guidelines as outlined in the Infection Control Manual.
• All employees must be aware that they work in an area where there is potential for transmission of infection.
• All employees have a responsibility to follow hand hygiene guidelines as this is the
• Single most important intervention to prevent the transmission of infection.

Quality, safety and risk management

Support the delivery of the Quality, Safety and Risk Management Programme, including the appropriate identification and management of risks and incidents throughout the hospital.

Data Management
Ensure compliance with the obligations required by the Data Protection Act 2018.

Confidentiality

You will be aware of the confidential nature of Hospital work and in particular, the right of patients to confidentiality. To this end, you will not discuss workings of the Hospital or its patients or disclose any information of a confidential nature except as required to do so in the course of your work. No records, documents or property of the Hospital may be removed from the premises of the Hospital without prior authorisation. You must return to the Hospital upon request and, in any event, upon the termination of your employment, all documents or other property of the Hospital which are in your possession or under your control.

Mandated and Designated Persons under Children First Act 2015

Schedule 2 of the Children First Act 2015 specifies the classes of persons defined as Mandated Persons for the purposes of the Act. This includes a range of disciplines that are employed by the hospital including all medical practitioners, registered nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers and others. This includes staff working in adult services. All mandated persons have two main legal obligations under the Children First Act 2015. Mandated persons, under the legislation are required to report any knowledge, belief or reasonable suspicion that a child has been harmed, is being harmed, or is at risk of being harmed. The Act defines harm as assault, ill-treatment, neglect or sexual abuse, and covers single and multiple instances. Mandated persons are also required to assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report. Designated Officer are required to receive reports of suspected child abuse or neglect from any person who is of the opinion that (a) a child has been or is being assaulted, ill-treated, neglected or sexually abused, or (b) a child’s health, development or welfare has been or is being avoidably impaired or neglected. Full detailed list of mandated and designated staff together with details of their roles and responsibilities can be found on https://www.tusla.ie/children-first. It is the responsibility of all staff employed by TUH to be aware of their roles and responsibilities under the legislation and to complete mandatory Children First Training.