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Haemovigilance Officer

Senior Medical Scientist or Clinical Nurse Manager 11

Job Specification, Terms & Conditions

AMENDED

Job Title and Grade / Haemovigilance Officer
This post can be filled by either a Senior Medical Scientist or Clinical Nurse Manager 11.
(Grade Code Senior Medical Scientist 3877)
(Grade Code Clinical Nurse Manager 11 2119)
Campaign Reference / NRS1122
Closing Date / Thursday 8th May 2014 at 12 Noon
Proposed Interview date(s) / Week commencing 16th June 2014
Location of Post / The post is located inWaterfordRegionalHospital
Organisational Area / HSE South
Details of Service / Waterford Regional Hospital (WRH) is a Model 4 hospital and provides a broad range of acute and regional services to the population of the South East. It is one of the 8 National Cancer Centres, and is a Designated Teaching Hospital of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. WaterfordRegionalHospital provides a haemovigilance services for all of the relevant n patient and outpatient specialities within the hospital.
The following Specialities are provided in WaterfordRegionalHospital:-
  • Gynaecology and Obstetrics
  • Paediatric services including Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
  • Colposcopy Screening Unit
  • Critical Care
  • Emergency Medicine
  • General Medicine including Medicine of the Elderly,
  • Endocrinology, Cardiology and Nephrology
  • Dermatology
  • Cancer surgery
  • General Surgery, Urology and Vascular Surgery
  • Regional ENT and Ophthalmology
  • Regional Orthopaedic Trauma Services
  • Radiography including MRI and C.T. Scanning Service.
  • Designated cancer centre providing Haematology and Oncology inpatient, Day Services and outpatient services
  • Palliative Care
  • Sexual Assault Treatment Unit
Candidates may obtain specific details of the individual services from the following Line Manager (Please contact as relevant to your background qualification, Nursing or Medical Scientific).
Waterford:
Medical Scientific:
Antoinette Lyons, Chief Medical Scientist, Blood Transfusion Laboratory 051 848000 Ext 2143
Nursing:
Orla Kavanagh, A/Assistant Director of Nursing, Cancer and Medical Services
051 848000 Ext 2944
Reporting Relationship / Haemovigilance Officer
  • Operationally reports to the Chief Medical Scientist, Blood Transfusion Laboratory
  • Professionally Accountable to the relevant line Manager
  • Clinical issues to the Consultant Haematologist

Purpose of the Post / To act as a resource for colleagues and other health care workers, by offering expert care, advice and support in Haemovigilance, as needed. This involves assessing current treatments, improving the management and clinical outcomes of care, monitoring cost effectiveness in care provision and supporting practice development and education in the area of Haemovigilance care in order to facilitate the development of competencies within the speciality.
Works closely as an integral of the Blood Transfusion/Haemovigilance Quality Team to ensure a comprehensive Haemovigilance service is provided at Waterford regional Hospital
Principal Duties and Responsibilities / Clinical Focus
The Haemovigilance Officerwill:
  • Provide a Transfusion Surveillance Service for WaterfordRegionalHospital. The person employed will work in close co-operation with the Department of Blood Transfusion
  • Implement guidelines for the usage of blood components developed by the Irish Blood Transfusion Services Board (IBTSB)/leading national and international bodies ie. BCSH
  • Promote and facilitate adherence to best practice in all aspects of Transfusion practice in particular clinical transfusion practice in wards and departments, including identification and administration of blood and blood products, and proper identification of sample
  • Liaise with Blood Transfusion Laboratory in investigating all reports of transfusion reactions/incidents and report adverse blood transfusion reactions to the Transfusion Consultant Haematologists and the and the National Haemovigilance Office and audit of same as per the NHO guidelines
  • Adhere to the responsibilities of directive 2002/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27th January 2003
  • Carry out post Transfusion look back and product tracing and recalls
  • Assist in the collection of clinical and laboratory data on transfusions that can be used for formulation and updating of recommended, maximum blood order schedules (MBOS) and crossmatch/transfusion ratios
  • Reportaccidents, incidents, and complaints relating to ward/clinical activity in relation to transfusion practices to relevant authorities usually Consultant Haematologist/line managerin accordance with the laboratory quality management system
  • Report clinical incidents and ‘Near Miss Incidents’ to Risk Manager and SAEs/SARs to the National Haemovigilance office as per the national guidelines
  • Liaise closely with Blood Transfusion Laboratory staff to maintain good interdisciplinary working relationships with all staff
  • Develop and review SOPs to meet the requirements of ISO 15189 and the AMLBB regulations
  • Assist the multidisciplinary team in ensuring traceability of all blood & blood products laid down by EU Directives 2002/98/EC and 2004/23/EC
  • Responsibility for providingreports on Blood Component use to the hospital blood transfusion committee
  • Liaise with members of the Hospital Transfusion Committee and organisation of Hospital Transfusion Committee meetings
  • Participate in Blood Transfusion departmental meeting and attend managerial and clinical meetings that require specialist input
Patient Advocate
The Haemovigilance Officer will:
  • Seek to facilitate and advocate on behalf of patients/clients, families and communities to participate in decisions about their transfusion needs
Education and Training
The Haemovigilance Officer will:
  • Act as a positive role model for colleagues and others in relation to professional conduct and specialised practice in the area of Haemovigilance.
  • Encourage best transfusion practice, by providing formal and informal training and instruction to peers and others, on all necessary aspects of transfusion
  • Plan, develop, implement and evaluate the continuing education programmes for clinical staff relating to blood transfusion practice
  • Maintain records of attendance at all education programmes, with objectives and contents for evaluation purposes
  • Develop and facilitate education programmes and support literature for patients/clients and their families that informs patients and staff on best practices in transfusion
  • Take personal responsibility for own professional development and updating and to maintain professional expertise by participation in educational courses, reading and research activities as appropriate
  • Undertake appropriate further training to enable you to practice within this specialised field, develop the required skills and knowledge to support the service needs within the scope of professional practice
Consultant
The Haemovigilance Officer will:
  • Act as and be available as a clinical resource and consultant, inter and intra disciplinary, in the area of Haemovigilance, to those within and outside the service in order to promote improved patient management and quality of care in the acute hospital setting
Audit and Research
The Haemovigilance Officer will:
  • Be committed to evidence based practice. Maintain awareness of current developments in clinicalcare within the speciality. Use scientific, relevant research findings to influence both own practice and practice of otherswithin the speciality
  • Take every reasonable action to ensure practice in the field of Blood Product Administration and Haemovigilance is evidence based and up to date
  • Incorporate and disseminate relevant, up to date research findings in transfusion practice
  • Initiate and participate in quality assurance activities. Take an active role in the audit of clinical practice and standards of care relating to transfusion and haemovigilance
  • Identify, plan, and participate in audit programmes and other evaluations of the service, in line with local and regional developments; to include audit of current and audit of the quality of patient care received in the delivery of the service (e.g. to monitor and evaluate care against evidence-based standards, outcomes of interventions and/or to evaluate patient satisfaction with service as relevant)
  • Provide management reports and data as required to the hospital blood transfusion committee/Consultant Haematologist/hospital management/Line manager
  • Provide blood product usage statistics to blood users on an annual or quarterly basis
  • Contribute to an annual evaluation of the service. Assist in formulation of quarterly progress report in relation to the service and review performance with line manager
  • Ensure that accurate documentation and record keeping is maintained and documents are controlled and managed according to hospital policy
  • Evaluate and adapt as part of a multidisciplinary team national/international guidelines in Blood Transfusion for local use.
Health & Safety
The Haemovigilance Officer will:
  • Contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice
  • Adhere to, and ensure adherence to relevant legislation, regulations and standards in the delivery of service
  • Ensure that effective safety procedures are developed and managed to comply with statutory obligations, in conjunction with relevant staff e.g. health and safety procedures, emergency procedures
  • Observe, report and take appropriate action on any matter which may be detrimental to staff and/or service user care or well being / may be inhibiting the efficient provision of care
  • Assist in observing and ensuring implementation and adherence to established policies and procedures e.g. health and safety, infection control
  • Ensure completion of incident / near miss forms / clinical risk reporting
  • Adhere to department policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied for the fulfilment of duty
Management
The Haemovigilance Officer will:
  • Provide an efficient, effective, and high quality service, respecting the needs of each patient / client
  • Effectively manage time and caseload in order to meet the needs of a changing and developing service
  • Be aware of budgetary issues and resource allocation – all the time striving for value for money
  • Continually monitor the service to ensure it reflects current needs
  • Implement and manage identified changes including changed in systems and IT
  • Maintain accurate and up to date statistics of the service provided, including audit of patient / client contacts
  • Ensure that confidentiality in relation to patient /client records is maintained
  • Represent the specialist service at local, national and international meetings as required
  • Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records / data on all matters pertaining to the planning, management, delivery and evaluation of this service in line with HSE requirements
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.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or experience / Applicants for the post of Haemovigilence Officer must meet the Eligibility Criteria in either A or B as outlined below:
A. Medical Scientific
Each candidate must, on the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office:
(a)Possess the Bachelor in Science (Applied Science) Honours Degree (Biomedical option) from the University of Dublin/Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street.
Or
(b)Possess the Bachelor in Science Honours Degree in Biomedical Science from the Joint University College Cork-Cork Institute of Technology course;
Or
(c)Possess the Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences of the Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, or the Cork Institute of Technology awarded prior to 1994;
Or
(d)Possess a recognised qualification at least equivalent to (a) or (b) above;
Or
(e)Possess a recognised qualification at least equivalent to (c) awarded prior to 1994;
And
(f)Possess a postgraduate degree in the field of Medical Laboratory Science;
Or
(g)Have attained the Fellowship Examination of the Institute of Biomedical Science;
And
(h)Possess fellowship of the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science (FAMLS) or be eligible for fellowship;
And
(i)Possess four years’ experience in a medical laboratory since qualifying as a Medical Scientist.
B. Nursing
Candidates must:
Be registered in theGeneral Division of the Register of Nurses kept by An Bord Altranais or be entitled to be so registered*
And
Have at least 5 years post registration experience of which 2 must be in the specialty or related area
And
Have the clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly discharge the functions of the role
And
Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development at the appropriate level
*Note: Post holders must maintain annual registration with Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing Midwifery Board Ireland)
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.
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, additional qualifications and/or experience required / Senior Medical Scientist Only:
  • Must demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in Blood Transfusion, as relevant to the post
  • Participation in the provision of a dual discipline out of hours service for Haematology and Blood Transfusion

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge / Candidates must demonstrate:
  • practitioner competence and professional credibility – demonstrates a high level of clinical knowledge to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Haemovigilance role including:
knowledge of quality assurance practices and their application to Blood Transfusion procedures
the ability to identify non conformances and carry out root cause analysis
awareness of relevant legislation and policy e.g. legislation relevant to the service area, health and safety, infection control etc.
awareness of current and emerging haemovigilance strategies and policies in relation to the Blood Transfusion practice
  • the ability to lead on clinical practice and service quality
  • promotion of evidence-based decision making; evidence-based clinical knowledge in making decisions regarding patient / client care
  • the ability to plan and manage resources effectively
  • effective analytical, problem solving and decision making skills
  • strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships, empathise and treat others with dignity and respect
  • effective communication and influencing skills
  • initiative and innovation in the delivery of service and a commitment to providing a quality service.
  • resilience and composure
  • openness to change
  • integrity and an ethical stance
  • a commitment to continuing professional development
  • the ability to relate clinicalresearch to clinicalpractice
  • awareness of the Health Service Transformation Programme
  • a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role
  • Demonstrate a focus on quality and knowledge of the Accreditation process.

Campaign Specific Selection Process
Shortlisting / Interview / Short listing may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for 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.
Those successful at the shortlisting stage of this process (where applied) will be called forward to interview.
Code of Practice / The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission 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 facilities for candidates 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 in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information For Candidates” or on
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.

HEALTH SERVICES EXECUTIVE

Terms and Conditions of Employment

A. Senior Medical Scientist

Tenure / The appointment is whole-time, permanent and pensionable.
A panel will be formed from which current and future permanent or temporary vacancies of whole time or part time duration will be filled.
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 / The Salary scale for the post is:
€47,979 - €56,222
4 x points on the Salary Scale
Working Week / Normal working hours are 37 worked over 5 days.
The appointee may be required to attend at such other times as are required for the proper discharge of the duties of the office. This may require attendance outside normal working hours and participating in out of hours duty.
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).
Annual Leave / The annual leave associated with the post is: 29 days pro rata
Superannuation / 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 31st December 2004
Probation / Every permanent 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.
Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 / 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.
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.

Terms and Conditions of Employment