Job Specification and Terms and Conditions
Job Title and
Grade
Chief II Cardiac Catheterisation Technician
Grade Code: 3002
Competition
Reference
NRS0325
Closing Date

12 noon, Thursday 3rd March 2011
Proposed
Interview date(s)

Week beginning 28th March 2011
Taking up
Appointment
Location of Post
Organisational
Area
Details of Service
To be decided at Job Offer Stage

Cardiology Department, Waterford Regional Hospital, HSE South East
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HSE South
This busy cardiology department is committed to raising the standards of Cardiology
provision for its patients within Waterford Regional Hospital.
The department is seeking to recruit a locum temporary Chief II Cardiac Catheterisation
Technician to join a friendly and committed team.
The department offers a full range of invasive and non-invasive cardiac techniques
including:
 Regional Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory services including a full range of
cardiac cath procedures, cardiac rhythm device implants and ASD closures.
 Transthoracic Echocardiography, TDI (3 ECHO labs) Transoesophageal
Echocardiography
 Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography
 Pacemaker / ICD Implantation
 Pacemaker and ICD follow up clinic/Technician led.
 Stress testing including Technician managed exercise stress testing/cardiac
rehabilitation stress test pre and post programme and T wave alternans studies. (2
stress labs)
 Ambulatory ECG Monitoring: 24Hr, 48 Hr, 72 Hr.
 Event Monitoring
 24 Hour Ambulatory BP Monitoring
 ECGs
Current staffing within the department consists of:
 Chief ll Cardiac Technician,
 2 Chief l Cardiac Technician,
 5 Senior Cardiac Technicians,
 4 Basic Grade Cardiac Technicians
 ECG Technician
Reporting
Relationship
We require a multi skilled Chief II Cardiac Catheterisation Technician, with professional
knowledge to join and complement our team of Cardiac Catheterisation Technicians.
We welcome candidates who have an extensive knowledge of cardiology procedures
combined with commitment and dedication in providing first class care and service to the
South East community.
The Chief II Cardiac Catheterisation Technician reports primarily to the General Manager
and Clinical director of the hospital. Reporting relationships are also required with the
Regional Development Manager of Cardiac Diagnostic Services and the Consultant
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Purpose of the
Post
Principal Duties
and
Responsibilities
Cardiologists.
 Chief II Cardiac Technician locum cover (of specified purpose)
 The post holder will be responsible for providing a quality service for patients
requiring non-invasive and invasive cardiology investigative procedures and tests.
 To be responsible for day-to-day running of the cardiology department, actively
contributing to the smooth and efficient running of a quality service to patients, and
to undertake additional managerial responsibilities for these services as designated.
KEY ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITY:
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To manage and co-ordinate the staff and services of the Cardiology department on
a day-to-day basis.
To perform and assist in wide range of invasive and non invasive clinical
procedures and investigations within the Cardiology Department.
Ensure the provision of the highest professional standards in relation to patient
care and service within the cardiology department.
To work in close liaison with the Hospital Management and the Regional
Development Manager of Cardiac Diagnostic Services and Consultant
Cardiologists in relation to cardiology services.
To provide detailed reports and statistics on workloads and service activity and
other issues as required by the Health Services Executive, Hospital Management
and the Regional Development Manager of Cardiac Diagnostic Services.
To ensure that national, Regional and local policies and other appropriate
information is fully disseminated to and understood by all staff in the Department.
To develop and maintain constructive professional and working relationships with
all groups and users of the service.
To represent the Cardiology Department at Regional and hospital meetings as
required and as designated by Hospital Management and the Regional
Development Manager of Cardiac Diagnostic Services
STAFF MANAGEMENT AND HR RESPONSIBILITIES:
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To manage the entire technical, household service and clerical staff of the
Cardiology Department.
To organise the allocation of staff to ensure adequate cover at all times both within
the Cardiology Department invasive and non invasive areas.
To monitor workloads within the Cardiology Department to ensure the optimal use
of available staff to meet these workloads.
To discuss and report to the Hospital Management and the Regional Development
Manager of Cardiac Diagnostic Services any needs for additional staff, and advise
of any additional requirements or changes in establishment resulting from activity
changes.
To record and ensure proper co-ordination of all leave and to authorise all annual
and special leave to ensure adequate cover at all times in conjunction with H.R.
To ensure that all leave, sickness and training days are properly recorded.
To counsel and discipline the Cardiology Department’s staff as necessary.
TECHNCIAL DUTIES:
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The applicant must be able to demonstrate their invasive and non-invasive skills
and technical proficiency that they have acquired during their time as a technician
and to actively maintain competencies in same.
To perform and assist in wide range of invasive and non invasive clinical
procedures and investigations within the Cardiology Department as required and in
complex specialist areas such as:
Echocardiography; 3D, contrast echocardiography, Transoesophageal
Echocardiogram; Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram and to assist at echo guided
procedures e.g. ASD closure and pericardiocentesis.
Device implants: pacemaker, ICD/CRT and loop recorder implantation and follow
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
up.
Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory Services.
PROFESSIONAL AND CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
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The post holder will carry out their duties, adhering to all policies, procedures and
guidelines and legislation as required by the Cardiac Diagnostic Department and
The Health Service Executive.
Actively to develop and maintain the highest standards of patient care within the
Cardiology department, using available resources
To develop, maintain and carry out systems for monitoring the standards of
Service and patient care following National, Regional, Hospital and Departmental
guidelines.
To liaise with Hospital Management, the Regional Development Manager of
Cardiac Diagnostic Services and Consultant Cardiologists to ensure that any
obstacles to high standards of service delivery and patient care can be promptly
and effectively resolved.
To develop and maintain a full range of facilities and Clinical Procedures within the
Cardiology Department within available resources.
To coordinate the servicing and maintenance of equipment, liaising with the
Biomedical Department where appropriate.
To participate in the procurement and tendering process as required when
purchasing equipment relating to the service by providing technical specialist
advice.
To be conversant with all clinical procedures used within the Cardiology
Department.
To assist in service development and meet the objectives of all National
Frameworks.
To keep abreast of new developments in the field and to attend relevant courses
and conferences to this end.
STAFF TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES:
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To identify the training needs of the staff and the development of in-service training
programmes.
To monitor the training and development needs of all staff in the Cardiology
Department and define how best these can be met, having sought the necessary
advice or information.
To liaise with training officers in the development of in-service training.
To participate in training and development of staff as required.
To ensure all staff understands fully policies on Infection, Prevention and Control,
Fire Safety, Waste Disposal, Health and Safety, Risk Management and Data
Protection.
To organise and supervise the induction of all new staff within the Cardiology
Department.
To define a full induction programme for all new staff within the Cardiology
Department. This should complement the Hospital Induction Day for all new staff.
QUALITY SAFETY AND RISK
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To take a proactive approach to minimising clinical risk to patients and to manage
any related clinical incidents, in conjunction with the Clinical Risk manager and the
Quality, Safety & Risk Co-ordinator.
To ensure the safety of self and others and the maintenance of the environments
and equipment used in the workplace in accordance with the Health and Safety
and Welfare at work Act, 2005 and local policies and procedures.
Adhere at all time to HSE’s Personnel Policies and adhere at all times to policies
relative to Health & Safety at Work Act.
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Familiarity with Hospital and Department Disaster plans and their implementation.
Adherence to instructions and directions given by the Nuclear Physicist in relation
to radiation protection.
Adhere at all time to Fire Safety Regulations and assist with fire tests, and check
access to fire escapes, if required.
Report accidents and incidents. Participate in the investigation and remedial
action.
Ensure Compliance and awareness among staff In relation to Decontamination
and Infection Prevention and Control standards and guidelines.
To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of patient records and staff
information: any unauthorised breach of confidentiality may result in disciplinary
action.
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
Candidates must:-
Qualifications
and/ or
experience
On the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office possess:
(a) Possess the Technician Certification Medical Physics and Physiological
Measurement (Dublin Institute of Technology)
Or
(b) Possess membership of the Society of Cardiological Technicians
Or
(c) Possess a qualification at least equivalent to (a) or (b) above
And
(d) Possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability
and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office
And
(e) Have five years post qualification experience and at least three years experience
in chocardiography/Cardiac pacing/Cardiac Catheterisation/Electrophysiology/Exercise
Stress Testing
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
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.
Post Specific
Requirements,
additional
qualifications
and/or experience
required
Skills,
competencies
and/or knowledge
N/A
KNOWLEDGE AND PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the following diagnostic service areas:

ECGs, Holter Monitoring and Event Monitoring
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o
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o
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24 hour BP Monitoring.
Exercise Stress testing.
Transthoracic Echocardiography, Including Transoesophageal and
Dobutamine Stress Echo.
o Pacemaker and ICD follow up.
o procedures relevant to cardiac catheterisation laboratory services
Display evidence based clinical knowledge in making decisions regarding client care

Demonstrate evidence of computer skills including use of Microsoft Word, Excel,
email, power point and internet systems

Demonstrate willingness to attend course/conferences, undertake relevant exams and to
keep abreast with new developments
MANAGEMENT, SUPERVISORY AND TRAINING SKILLS.
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Demonstrate evidence of effective staff management skills and experience.
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Demonstrate evidence of staff supervision skills and experience.
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Demonstrate evidence of training and development skills and experience.
COMMUNICATION / INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
 Demonstrate effective communication skills both verbally and in writing including:
the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner; the ability to
facilitate and manage groups through the learning process; the ability to give
constructive feedback to encourage learning; the ability to be assertive.

Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and
colleagues with dignity and respect.
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Have the ability to deal confidently and professionally with patients; elderly
patients, or patients who may be confused, heavily medicated, aggressive, or have
special needs etc., where there are frequent barriers to communication.
LEADERSHIP & TEAM WORKING SKILLS
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Demonstrate leadership and team management skills including the ability to work
with multi disciplinary team members.
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Demonstrate evidence of ability to create and support an atmosphere of
cohesiveness and cooperation within the department, encouraging teamwork and
open communication between all levels of staff.
PLANNING & ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS
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Demonstrate excellent organisational and time management skills, and ability to
deliver objectives within an agreed timeframe
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Demonstrate the ability to effectively handle multiple tasks
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Demonstrate the ability to adapt and respond positively to unexpected issues
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Demonstrate evidence of effective planning skills including awareness of resource
management and importance of value for money.
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Demonstrate the ability to apply a fair, consistent and objective approach
CHANGE MANAGEMENT/QUALITY FOCUS
 Demonstrate a quality focus approach to all activities and work practices.
 Demonstrate a proactive approach to quality control and making improvements in
efficiency and effectiveness of service
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Demonstrate an ability to plan, introduce and adapt to change
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Other
requirements
specific to the
post
Competition
Specific Selection
Process
Shortlisting /
Interview
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May be required to report for duty outside normal working hours.
Ability to work on feet all day.
Requirement of moderate physical effort for safe moving and handling of patients
with or without aids, positioning them for the investigations. Long periods of
walking and bending.
 Requirement of moderate physical effort for moving and handling equipment, light
weight eg. ECG machine, Heavy eg. for example ultrasound equipment for scans
on ward. These machines may need to be manoeuvred into confined spaces.
 The post will also involve wearing a lead apron as required during cardiac
Catheterisation procedures,
 Manipulation of small echocardiography transducers with precision and accurate
and rapid placement of multiple ECG electrodes.
 There is a frequent requirement for concentration e.g. Technician Managed
Exercise Stress tests, Echocardiography, Analysing ECG recordings, both
performing and reporting advising clinicians on result requiring immediate action.
 Multitasking ability dealing with frequent interruptions i.e. urgent requests,
responding to emergencies, phone calls, doctors and colleagues needing
assistance.
 Prolonged use of VDU, data input, report writing, data retrieval and storage. Also
dealing with General patient, staff and visitor issues.
 Exposure to distressing circumstances, for example performing tests on the
critically ill, Cardio Respiratory arrest etc.
 Exposure to frequent body odours. The post involves daily contact with infections,
poor hygiene, open wounds and predictable and non predictable contacts with
blood, body fluids and dirty linen.
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
www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs 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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HEALTH SERVICES EXECUTIVE
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Cardiac Catheterisation Technician Chief 2
Grade Code 3002
Tenure
The appointment is whole-time, Specific Purpose and Pensionable
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:
€47,888 x 5 annual increments to €60,332 (1LSI)€63,787(2LSI)€67,053
As at 01/01/2010
Working Week
The standard working week applying to the post is: 35hrs
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: 31 days
Superannuation
Membership of the HSE Employee Superannuation Scheme applies to this
appointment.
Existing Members who transferred to the HSE on 1st 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 to which they
were entitled at 31st December 2004.
Appointees to posts in the Mental Health Services which formerly attracted fast
accrual of service should note that the terms of Section 65 of the Mental
Treatment Act 1945 do not apply to New Entrant Public Servants as defined by
Section 12 of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions)
Act 2004.
Probation
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.
Protection of Persons
Reporting Child Abuse Act
19981
This post is one of those designated in accordance with Section 2 of the
Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act, 1998. You will remain a
designated officer for the duration of your appointment in this post or for the
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duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories
specified in the Ministerial Direction. Such officers will, on receiving a report of
child abuse, formally notify the Senior Social Worker in the community care area
in which the child is living.
Ethics in Public Office
Insert as applicable text for post which are remunerated at or above the minimum
point of the Grade VIII salary scale (€ 67,567 as at 01.03.2008) or Senior
Positions remunerated at or above €173,217 as at 1st March 2008
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