Consultant Clinical Biochemist (TYPE B)
Job Description
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital 25 Hours
Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar 12 hours
Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital 2 Hours
Title: Consultant Clinical Biochemist Mater University, Midland Regional and
Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospitals
Mater University, Midland Regional Mullingar and Cappagh National Orthopaedic
Hospitals, all INAB accredited diagnostic laboratory services within the Ireland East
Hospital Group, wish to recruit a Consultant Clinical Biochemist on a Type B basis under
the Consultants’ Contract 2008
Overview of the Role
Mater Hospital Clinical Biochemistry Department
The Clinical Biochemistry Department at the Mater Hospital provides an accredited service to support the
diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients attending the Mater University Hospital and to General
Practitioners in the surrounding area. The services provided include a diagnostic laboratory service, a clinical
advisory service and both a general and specialist clinical biochemistry liaison service throughout the
hospital.
The Mater Clinical Biochemistry Department, is an INAB accredited clinical biochemistry/diagnostic
endocrinology service and processes almost half a million specimens and 3.86 million tests annually.
Diagnostic endocrinology, metabolic medicine, biochemical genetics and therapeutic drug monitoring subspecialities are practised. The laboratory has a specialist mass spectrometry service, which includes
immunosuppressant drug analyses, plasma metanephrines, vitamins and hormones, many of which are
available as tertiary referral services. A Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, is in development. The primary
care services have expanded and 28% of specimens are currently received from General Practitioners. There
is one Consultant Clinical Biochemist, and 22.5 wte scientific staff, including 2 Chief Medical Scientists and 4
Principal Clinical Biochemists. There is a central sample reception with 8 laboratory aides in the Department.
The Mater Hospital is a 594-bed tertiary referral hospital that provides comprehensive medical and surgical
services for adult patients in the surrounding catchment region. The Mater is a key academic teaching
hospital in the Ireland East group, which has a catchment population of 1.1 million people. There are a
number of national specialties located at the Mater including the National Heart and Lung Transplant and
National Spinal Injuries services. A state of the art new build of 120 single rooms which includes a new ICU,
HDU, and specialist Heart and Lung Transplant, Cardiothoracic, Haematology, Oncology and Orthopaedics
wards together with 12 new operating theatres is in place. The Mater University Hospital is a centre of
excellence for cardiovascular medicine and surgery and houses the National Isolation Unit, a specialised unit
to diagnose and manage patients with highly infectious diseases, with point of care diagnostics supported
through the laboratory in this unit.
The Department has an academic attachment to University College Dublin and there is a major commitment
to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research, which is strongly encouraged.
The Department has a strong track record in teaching and education, and is recognised for training in clinical
biochemistry by the Royal College of Pathologists (UK) and by the Association of Clinical Biochemists (Ireland
and UK). There are effective clinical links between the Clinical Biochemistry Department and the clinical
Job Description Consultant Clinical Biochemist January 2016
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teams with daily consultation with hospital clinicians and general practitioners through the Duty Biochemist
roster. There is participation in monthly MDT meetings and teaching/training of scientific and medical staff is
supported and encouraged. The Clinical Biochemistry Department are also regular contributors to the
Hospital Medical Grand Rounds.
Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar
MRH, Mullingar provides healthcare and social services for more than 125,000 people in Westmeath and
Longford and specialised services to a wider population of 283,000 including Laois/Offaly and the
surrounding areas. MRH, Mullingar has 206 beds and currently employs circa 750 staff.
It provides the following range of services on a 24 hourly basis: o
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Emergency Medicine
General Medicine (subspecialties including Gastroenterology, Gerontology,
Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Cardiology, Diabetes and Endocrinology)
General Surgery
Intensive Care / Coronary Care Unit
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Paediatrics (including Special Care Baby Unit)
Out-Patient Services (including Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Orthopaedics)
Sexual Assault Treatment Unit / Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic
The Hospital also provides diagnostic Radiological and Pathology services as well as Physiotherapy,
Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy, Dietetics, Cardiac Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Services,
Pulmonary Function Laboratory and Respiratory Services. The Hospital is the designated Regional Stroke
Centre for the Midland Area.
The Clinical Chemistry laboratory offers a comprehensive range of biochemical tests to all hospital doctors
and general practitioners in the Longford/Westmeath area and specialist services to the Laois/Offaly area.
Sub-specialities offered include metabolic medicine, cardiac and therapeutic drug monitoring.
It also provides a Regional Endocrine service to the entire Midlands catchment area including Mullingar
Tullamore & Portlaoise hospitals. Laboratory results support Diabetic, Endocrine and Early Pregnancy unit
Clinics held on site. In addition the Clinical Chemistry laboratory, MRH, Mullingar provides point of care
testing assistance for six blood gas analysers located throughout the hospital.
This Laboratory adheres to INAB ISO 15189 accreditation standards and is committed to providing the
highest quality of laboratory service. It processes 327,686 specimens and 2.5 million tests annually (2014
figures). There are two Chief Medical Scientists, 3 Senior Medical Scientists and 10 Medical Scientists. There
is a shared specimen reception with 5.5 Laboratory Aides & a shared Clerical Office with 6 Secretaries. The
Clinical governance for MRH, Mullingar is currently provided by Dr M Fitzgibbon Mater University Hospital
on a contractual basis.
MRH, Mullingar is a teaching laboratory and has strong links with Galway Mayo Institute of Technology
(GMIT), and has facilitated training on an annual basis for in-service Biomedical Students since 2002.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is highly encouraged within the Clinical Chemistry department,
with staff frequently giving presentations to clinical staff, attending Grand Rounds and external Clinical
Chemistry courses/seminars of interest.
Job Description Consultant Clinical Biochemist January 2016
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Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital
Cappagh hospital is a 160 bed National Orthopaedic Hospital that provides elective surgery for joint
arthroplasty, spinal surgery, limb salvage (tumour resection) that includes 3,500 procedures annually.
Cappagh also has a National Bone Bank with a bone harvesting site, referral and storage of samples from two
other centres, Croom and Navan hospitals. There is a dedicated step-down rehabilitation ward under the
care of medicine for the elderly. Cappagh laboratory is an INAB accredited laboratory, processing 12,290
samples annually. There are 2 medical scientists in clinical biochemistry (1 senior) and samples for additional
biochemical testing are referred to the laboratories at MMUH. The clinical governance for the Cappagh
Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory is currently provided by Dr Fitzgibbon at MMUH.
1. Duties of the Post
The new appointee will be expected to participate in the work of the Diagnostic Laboratory and take
responsibility for various services. Act as Lead Consultant Clinical Biochemist for the Department of Clinical
Biochemistry on a rotational basis. In particular, the new post holder will take a lead role in enhancing and
supporting services at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar and establishing collaborations and networks
between Mullingar, Mater University and other network partner hospitals.
The duties and responsibilities are outlined as follows;
Scientific/Laboratory
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Provide clinical and scientific leadership, including, supervision of laboratory developments, review
of diagnostic methods, authorisation, interpretation and communication of results;
Participate in laboratory accreditation processes;
Oversee the performance of intricate scientific work and interpret complex clinical information;
Oversee the implementation and development of specialised laboratory services;
Clinical
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Provide highly specialised clinical and scientific advice on investigation of patients and interpretation
of results to clinicians and their teams, for patients in the Mater, Mullingar and Cappagh hospitals;
Provide advice for laboratory tertiary referral work and to General Practitioners;
Participate in MDTs in endocrinology, inherited cardiac disease, thyroid cancer, etc;
Participate in a 1:2 on-call Clinical Biochemistry service to cover Mater, Mullingar and Cappagh
Hospitals, referring hospitals and General Practitioners. The consultant accepts clinical governance
for the 24-hour service;
Design, initiate, supervise and participate in clinical audits;
Development of clinical protocols to direct appropriate use of diagnostic testing and support
demand management;
Participate in Grand Round presentation on behalf of the department;
Organise clinical and scientific meetings within the department and provide educational sessions for
scientists and medical students and trainees.
Administrative/Management
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Provide strategic leadership of the day-to-day work of clinical biochemistry/diagnostic
endocrinology and affiliated laboratory services, including point of care testing;
Provide direct line management and clinical, strategic and career leadership to the clinical
biochemists in line with departmental management structures;
Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff as and when appropriate;
Actively participate in Pathology Management meetings and support the Clinical Directors in
Mullingar and Mater in service developments;
Job Description Consultant Clinical Biochemist January 2016
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Act as an active member of Hospital, Nat ion a l an d In t e rn ati on a l Committees, as required;
Advise the Chief Executives and Clinical Directors on all aspects of service
provision;
Maintain on-going Professional Development via involvement with related
Professional body or other bodies as relevant.
Education/Research
 It is expected that the post-holder will apply for an adjunct academic position (honorary)
through the UCD Clinical Pathways programme.
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The post-holder will be expected to develop collaborative and independent research and to
supervise both medical and science graduates in attaining higher degrees;
Maintenance and development of staff education in liaison with other training
bodies within and outside the hospital;
Participate, facilitate or direct research projects in the Department;
Establish collaborations with Medical and Scientific colleagues;
Maintain a track-record in producing peer-review papers to enhance the profile of the departments
and hospitals;
Participate in the teaching of undergraduate medial students attending University College Dublin;
Participate in teaching of under- and postgraduate health science students at University College
Dublin;
Participate in the training of Specialist Registrars within Pathology, Endocrinology and others as
appropriate;
Participate in the training/teaching of scientific staff in Midland Regional Mullingar, Cappagh and
Mater University Hospital.
2. Accountable to / Reporting Relationship
The consultant’s reporting relationship and accountability for the discharge of his/her contract is to the Chief
Executive through his/her Clinical Director of Pathology / Hospital Clinical Director (Midland Regional
Hospital, Mullingar).
3. Qualifications
The following qualifications are required:
a)
Possession of a PhD Degree in Biochemistry or related clinical discipline of a recognised University
and/or Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (UK) in clinical biochemistry
and
b)
Eight years post graduate experience/training including a minimum of five years in clinical
biochemistry
Age
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 application forms for the office occurs.
Health
A candidate for and any person holding the post must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the
duties attached to the post and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability
to render regular and efficient service.
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Character
A candidate for and any person holding the post must be of good character.
Entry to competition/recruitment process
For the purposes of eligibility for entry to any competition or recruitment process associated with this post, a
candidate must fulfil the requirements as set out in the Consultant Contract HSE 2008 (Clinical Biochemist)
and must be registered on a higher specialist register under the Health and Social Care Professional Care Act
(or equivalent in an EU member state) who by reason of his/her training, skill and expertise in Clinical
Biochemistry, is consulted by registered medical practitioners and who has a continuing clinical and
professional responsibility for patients under his/her care, or that aspect of care on which (s)he has been
consulted.
Application
Curriculum Vitae (14 unbound copies) including particulars regarding qualifications, publications etc. should
be forwarded to the Hon. Secretary, Medical Board, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, 59 Eccles Street, Dublin 7
not later than Friday 19th February 2016.
Each candidate shall submit, as references, the names, addresses and e-mail contact details of at least three
responsible persons to whom he/she is well known, but not related, of which, at least, two shall be from a
recent or current employer.
Canvassing directly or indirectly by or on behalf of any candidate will automatically disqualify such candidate.
Copies of professional and education certificates should be submitted with curriculum vitae. Originals of
these documents will be required at interview.
Candidates will be required to attend in person before an interview board established by the Mater
Misericordiae University Hospital. The Board will not be responsible for any expenses a candidate may incur
in attendance for interview.
Particulars of Post
This is a Type B post and will be based at the Mater Misericordiae University, Midland Regional Mullingar and
the Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospitals. The following conditions apply:
The appointment is permanent and of a full-time nature.
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The person appointed shall be on probation for one year.
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The terms, conditions and benefits of the Consultant Contract 2008, approved by the Department of
Health and Children will apply.
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Annual leave will be in accordance with the Consultants Contract 2008. It will be necessary to
ensure that this leave is taken so that, on receipt of notification, the Administrative Head of the
Department/Specialty may make appropriate cover and other arrangements.
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This post has a teaching association with University College Dublin.
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Acceptance of the Management structure of the Mater Misericordiae University, Midland Regional
Mulingar and Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospitals, as detailed in the rules of the hospitals, is
necessary.
Job Description Consultant Clinical Biochemist January 2016
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The person appointed shall abide by the Ethical Policy approved by the Boards of the Management
of the Mater Misericordiae University, Midland Regional Mullingar and Cappagh National
Orthopaedic Hospitals.
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All applications for special leave shall, in addition, be forwarded to the Executive Councils of the
Mater Misericordiae University, Midland Regional Mullingar and Cappagh National Orthopaedic
Hospitals for consideration. No special leave may be taken without the prior approval of the
Executive Councils of these Hospitals.
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In the event of resignation a minimum of three months’ notice must be given in writing to the
authorities of the Mater Misericordiae University, Midland Regional Mullingar and Cappagh National
Orthopaedic Hospitals.
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The scheduled commitment in respect of this post is as follows:Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar
Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital
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25 hours
12 hours
2 hours
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Remuneration shall be at Type B level in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Consultant Contract 2008.
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Garda Clearance – Arrangements have been introduced on a national level, for the provision of
Garda Clearance in respect of candidates for employment in areas of Health Services where it is
envisaged that potential employees have substantial access to children or vulnerable individuals.
Note: The extent and speed of change in the delivery of health care is such that adaptability is essential at this level of
management. The incumbent will be required to maintain, enhance and develop their professional knowledge, skills and
aptitudes necessary to respond to a changing situation. The Job Description must be regarded as an outline of the major
areas of accountability at the present time, which will be reviewed and assessed on an on-going basis.
Job Description Consultant Clinical Biochemist January 2016
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