Senior Cardiac Technician
Job Specification & Terms and Conditions
Job Title and Grade
Cardiac Technician Senior
Grade Code: 3003
Campaign Reference
NRS0730
Closing Date
12noon on Thursday 9th August 2012
Proposed
Interview
Date (s)
Taking
up
Appointment
Week commencing 10th September 2012
Organisational Area
HSE Dublin North East
Location of Post
Initial vacancies in:-
A start date will be indicated at job offer stage

Cardiology Department, Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, Co. Meath - permanent
vacancy
&
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Cardiology Dept, Louth Meath Hospital Group, based at Louth County Hospital
Dundalk or Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda - specified purpose contract
(maternity leave cover)
A panel will be formed for the Louth Meath Hospital Group.
Details of Service
Navan:
The service is based at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan part of the Louth Meath Hospital
Group. The Unit provides non invasive cardiology services for in-patients and out-patients
at Our Lady’s Hospital, for patients in general medicine, surgical, out-patient clinics,
orthopaedics and acute psychiatry departments. Future developments may include closer
liaison with the Louth Meath Hospital Group. The current cardiology team is made up as
follows: 1 Senior Cardiac Technician, 1 Basic Grade Cardiac Technician, 1 Cardiac Nurse,
1 Heart Failure Nurse Specialist, 1 Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse and a Health Promotion
Department.
Dundalk:
The Cardiac Service at Louth County Hospital is a cross site service, integrated with the
service at Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda. The Louth Hospitals Cardiology Team
is made up as follows: 3 x Senior, 3 x Basic Grade, ECG Technician. The successful post
holder will be required to work at both sites.
Reporting
Relationship
Navan:
The post holder will report directly to the Consultant Physician with responsibility for the
delivery of Cardiac Services on clinical matters. The post holder will also report to the
Hospital Manager on operational Matters
Dundalk:
The post holder will liaise with the Lead Cardiologist based at Our Lady of Lourdes
Hospital Drogheda on clinical matters. The post holder will report to the Operational
Services Manager Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda /Hospital Administrator Louth
County Hospital Dundalk on operational matters.
NRS0730 Job Spec : Page 1
Purpose of the Post
The post holder will be required to work in conjunction with the Cardiology Team in
providing a range of diagnostic and monitoring services to cardiac patients. He/She will be
required to develop good interpersonal relationships with the Clinical Nurse Specialists,
Consultant Physicians, NCHD’s, Nursing Management, Nursing Personnel, Clinical
Engineering and other disciplines in the delivery of a quality service.
Principal Duties and
Responsibilities
Clinical Practice
Both Medical Department carries out a wide range of Cardiological Investigations which
include the following:
 Stress ECGs
 24 hour BP Monitoring Analysis
 24 hour Holter Monitoring Analysis
 Perform and report where appropriate on Adult 2D echocardiography
 Cardiac Rehabilitation and heart failure clinics
 Perform CRT+/-ICT, ICD and pacemaker checks where appropriate
 Trans Oesophageal Echo’s (TOE)
The Senior Cardiac Technician will be involved in the delivery of this service with the
Cardiac Nurse where appropriate to the individual site.
Duties and Responsibilities:
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To carry out his/her duties under the supervision and control of the Consultant
Cardiologist /Physician with a special interest in Cardiology
He/She will have the responsibility to liaise with Unit Nursing Officer/Services
Manager on matters of patient service, organisation and co-ordination and, or such
other person designated for the purpose by the HSE
Calibration and maintenance of all equipment which includes sterilisation where
necessary
History taking and interpretation of request forms
Performing the procedure, reporting and where appropriate highlighting abnormal
recordings
Portable testing when required
Informal, in-service training of staff where appropriate
Participation in-patient care i.e. preparation and reassurance of patient
To attend at such times and places as may be fixed and to remain in attendance there
as long as his/her services are required
Ensure that all recording apparatus used in connection with such tests are maintained
in a clean and hygienic condition and to arrange as may be necessary and in
accordance with the approved procedure for the repair and servicing of all such
equipment
Ensure that there is an adequate supply available of any consumable materials, gas,
oxygen etc., used in connection with any such tests performed
Carry out supervisory function of junior staff within the Dept where required
Administration:
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To keep such records appropriate to his/her office as is required by hospital
management
To utilise any systems for the administration of the post and to cooperate with any
technological advancements where appropriate
General:
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To perform such other duties appropriate to the office as he/she may be required by
hospital management
NRS0730 Job Spec : Page 2
Research, Education & Training:
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As medical procedures change and new developments are introduced the Senior
Cardiac Technician must update his/her knowledge and training accordingly
Actively promote continuous professional education and development
Engage in the performance review processes for departmental personal development
planning
Facilitate arrangements in and provide education and training for staff as appropriate
Participate in and contribute to departmental research projects
Develop personal research in liaison with other professionals
Risk, Health & Safety:
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Implement agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice and adhere to
relevant legislation, regulations and standards
Work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self, patient and
others
Be aware of risk management issues, identify risks and take appropriate action; report
any adverse incidents or near misses
Assist and cooperate with other staff in procedures aimed at accident prevention in
the department
Adhere to department policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment
supplied for the fulfilment of duty
Take appropriate action where any malfunctions or defects in equipment are reported
/ refer to your line manager where required
Ensure that equipment and facilities used for clinical testing are in good working order
and calibrated at appropriate Intervals.
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. and comply with associated
HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards
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
Candidates must, on the latest date for receiving completed application forms for
the office;
(a)
Candidates must,
i.
Possess the BSc in Clinical Measurement from Dublin Institute of
Technology or equivalent.
or
ii.
Possess the Certificate in Medical Physics and Physiological Measurement
(MPPM) from Dublin Institute of Technology or equivalent.
or
iii.
Possess an equivalent relevant scientific qualification (Level 8).
and
(b)
Candidates must have a minimum of 3 years satisfactory relevant post
qualification experience
and
NRS0730 Job Spec : Page 3
(c)
Candidates must have the clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to
properly discharge the functions of the role.
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 (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.
Post
Specific
Requirements
N/A
Other
requirements
specific to the post
Skills, competencies
and/or knowledge
N/A
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Campaign Specific
Selection Process
Ranking/Shortlisting /
Interview
Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organising skills including
awareness of resource management and importance of value for money
Demonstrate commitment to providing a quality service
Demonstrate awareness of patient focused care and appreciation of the service
user
Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and
colleagues with dignity and respect
Demonstrate the ability to evaluate information and judge situations
Demonstrate leadership and team management skills, including the ability to work
as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Demonstrate an ability to work on own initiative
Demonstrates a teaching ability and an interest/experience in training junior
members of staff
Demonstrate ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks
Demonstrate effective communication skills 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
Demonstrate a willingness to share knowledge and/or new ideas with staff and
colleagues
Demonstrate an awareness of conflict resolution skills
Demonstrate an ability to maximise benefit from resources within departments
Demonstrate evidence of, or an awareness of improvements which have been
made, can be made within this type of department
Demonstrate evidence of computer skills
Demonstrate a working knowledge of the hospital I.T. system
A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information
supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting 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.
NRS0730 Job Spec : Page 4
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 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.
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 Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on
candidates, facilities for feedback to 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.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of
Practice, Information for Candidates” or on www.cpsa.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.
NRS0730 Job Spec : Page 5
Senior Cardiac Technician
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Tenure
Remuneration
Working Week
Annual Leave
Superannuation
The initial vacancies for these posts are permanent and specified
purpose contract, whole time and pensionable. A panel will be formed
from this recruitment campaign and future permanent or specified
purpose vacancies 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.
The Salary scale for the post is:€42-611 – €56,167LSI
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 will be agreed at job offer
stage and as determined by the Organisation of Working Time Act
1997
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 31 st
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 as stipulated in the Department
of Health Circular No.10/71.
NRS0730 Job Spec : Page 6
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
Have a working knowledge of Health Information and Quality
Authority (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.
NRS0730 Job Spec : Page 7