Job Title:
Locum Consultant Gastroenterologist – Connolly Hospital
Details of Service:
Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown (CHB) is located in the West Dublin suburb of
Blanchardstown. It serves a catchment population of 331,000 in Dublin West (including Finglas
West and Lucan), North Kildare and South County Meath. It is one of the fastest growing
catchment population areas in the country.
The Endoscopy Department at Connolly Hospital opened in May 2010 and at over 20,000 sq
metr ft, is one of the largest endoscopy facilities in Ireland. The department comprises 3
endoscopy rooms, a 17 bed recovery unit, a GI laboratory offering direct access breath testing
and pH probe facilities, on-site IBD nurse and haemochromatosis support, consultation rooms,
relative’s room, patient change/prep facilities, a discharge lounge and library.
The unit boasts state of the art decontamination facilities and equipment incorporating a
purpose built traceability system for all endoscopes. The new unit is adjacent to the main
Medical and Surgical Inpatient wards and is located 2 floors above the Radiology and Emergency
Departments.
Two gastroenterologists, three respiratory physicians, five consultant surgeons and twenty
registered endoscopy nurses work in the Endoscopy Department at Connolly Hospital.
The Endoscopy Department staff work closely together to provide patient care prior to, during
and following each of the 4000 procedures performed annually. This represents a 10% year-onyear increase in endoscopy volume over the past 5 years.
Procedures at Connolly Hospital include upper endoscopy (gastroscopy) procedures to diagnose
and treat common digestive conditions such as acid reflux, ulcers, Helicobacter pylori infection
and coeliac disease, routine colonoscopy for the early detection and prevention of colon cancer
as well as diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease and sigmoidoscopy for rectal bleeding. In
addition to diagnostic endoscopy, therapeutic procedures performed at Connolly Hospital
include variceal and haemhorrhoidal banding, stricture dilation, Botox injection and PEG
placement. The endoscopy staff also assist with approximately 300 bronchoscopies, 400
venesections and 500 breath tests annually.
Remuneration:
The annual salary will be as set out in the Consultant Contract 2008 for New Entrant Consultants
(Clinicians) (Type A) as follows
Existing Irish Public Health Service Consultants - (Salary Scale at 01/01/2010): €184,455,
€187,133, €189,813, €192,492.
Consultants currently working in organisations outside the Irish Public Health Service/ New
Entrants: Consultants – (Salary Scale at 01/10/2012): €116,207, €117,894, €118,582, €121.270.
Reporting Relationship:
The Consultant’s reporting relationship and accountability for the discharge of his/her contract
is to the Hospital General Manager of the Hospital through his/her Clinical Director.
Purpose of Post:
To provide high quality care in Gastroenterology and in General Medicine.
Eligibility Criteria, Qualifications and/Experience:
Registration as a specialist in the Specialist Division of the Register of Medical
Practitioners maintained by the Medical Council in Ireland in the specialty of
Gastroenterology and General ( internal) Medicine
Entry to competition / recruitment process
No candidate will be appointed as a Medical Consultant unless (s)he is registered as a
Specialist in the Specialist Division of the Register of Medical Practitioners maintained by
the Medical Council of Ireland.
Successful candidates must be registered as a Specialist in the relevant Specialty on the
Specialist Division of the Register of Medical Practitioners maintained by the Medical
Council of Ireland within 180 days of the day of interview.
Should the successful candidate not be registered as a Specialist at that time, the PAS
may choose not to recommend that candidate to the employer and the post may be
offered to the next suitable candidate. Should no suitable candidate exist, a further
recruitment process may be initiated.
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 on the
first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms
for the office occurs.
Section 62 Post
Post Specific Requirements:
Duties:
The person chosen will be required to:  Act as Consultant Gastroenterologist and General Physician in the co-ordination and
provision of a comprehensive in-patient and out-patient Gastroenterology Service at
Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown.
 Conduct Out-Patient Clinics, Ward Rounds, Procedures appropriate to the specialty of
Gastroenterology.
 In Rotation with Consultant colleagues in the Department of Medicine, have medical
responsibility for leading the Acute Medical Unit in liaison with Nursing and Allied
Health Professionals.
 Participate in the development of agreed care protocols.
 Facilitate the appropriate referral of patients to the Department of Gastroenterology.
 Be responsible for the recruitment, supervision and training of an assigned team of nonconsultant hospital doctors, in conjunction with Consultant colleagues. Ensure all nonconsultant hospital doctors assigned to his/her team attend Hospital Orientation and,
where appropriate, departmental orientation.
 Supervise and be responsible for clinical work and record keeping of all non-consultant
hospital doctors and auxiliary staff attached to the department.
 Participate in teaching, including undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and
conference commitments of the Department and of the hospital for medical, nursing
and other staff
 Maintain a programme of continuing medical education applicable to the
responsibilities of the post.
 Plan, develop and maintain responsibility for clinical audit programmes within
gastroenterology in conjunction with his/her consultant colleagues and in accordance
with the hospital clinical governance structure as it evolves.
 Together with colleagues who have a similar appointment in Gastroenterology, have a
leadership role in shaping the policy in the hospital with regard to the management of
gastroenterology services, best practice and accreditation.
 Attend and participate in meetings relevant to the post, eg, Medical Board and
appropriate division.
 Liaise with the Hospital Manager, Management Team, relevant senior Medical and
Nursing staff in all matters pertaining to the general efficiency of the Hospital.

Perform such other duties appropriate to his/her office as may be assigned to him/her
by the Hospital Manager.
(o) Participate in the General Medical Consultant on-call rota and provide cross cover
as appropriate.
The Consultant Gastroenterologists working as a team will perform the following duties:
Conduct Daily Ward Rounds 5 days a week
Conduct Daily Ward Rounds in ED 5 days a week.
Conduct Daily Wards Rounds in the Acute Medical Unit 5 days a week
Conduct 4 Gastroenterology Consultant Out-Patient Clinics / Fast-track Clinics for G.P.
referrals
NOTE: This job description is an outline of current broad areas of responsibility and
accountability and should not be regarded as a comprehensive listing.
Competition Specific Selection Process and Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview
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.
Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called
forward to the next stage of the selection process.
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.
Code of Practice
The Public Appointment Service will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice
prepared by the Commissioners 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
facilitates for 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.careersinhealthcare.ie 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.
Terms and Conditions of Employment – Note: The successful candidate will be
employed on an RCSI contract and seconded to the HSE for the period of secondment.
Salary will be paid by RCSI at the equivalent Type A scale
Tenure
Remuneration
Consultant Gastroenterologist
The appointment is a temporary position providing locum cover for Dr
Claire Smyth who is on maternity leave. This post will cease when Dr Smyth
returns to her post.
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 annual salary will be as set out in the Consultant Contract 2008 for
New Entrant Consultants (Clinicians) (Type A) as follows
Existing Irish Public Health Service Consultants - (Salary Scale at
01/01/2010): €184,455, €187,133, €189,813, €192,492.
Consultants currently working in organisations outside the Irish Public
Health Service/ New Entrants: Consultants – (Salary Scale at 01/10/2012):
€116,207, €117,894, €118,582, €121.270.
Working Week
The standard working week applying to the post is: 37 hours per week.
Annual Leave
The annual leave associated with the post is: 31 Working Days per annum
and as determined by the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997
All pensionable staff become members of the pension scheme.
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
Superannuation
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 as stipulated in the Department of
Health Circular No.10/71.
Protection of Persons As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons
Reporting Child Abuse Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as
Act 1998
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.
Ethics in Public Office
Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII
1995 and 2001
salary scale (€ 64,812 as at 01.01.2010) are designated positions under
Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995. Any person appointed to
a designated position must comply with the requirements of the Ethics in
Positions remunerated Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 as outlined below;
at or above the
minimum point of the A) In accordance with Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, a
Grade VIII salary scale person holding such a post is required to prepare and furnish an annual
(€64,812 as at
statement of any interests which could materially influence the
01.01.10)
performance of the official functions of the post. This annual statement of
interest should be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer not later than
31st January in the following year.
B) In addition to the annual statement, a person holding such a post is
required, whenever they are performing a function as an employee of the
HSE and have actual knowledge, or a connected person, has a material
interest in a matter to which the function relates, provide at the time a
statement of the facts of that interest. A person holding such a post
should provide such statement to the Chief Executive Officer. The function
in question cannot be performed unless there are compelling reasons to
do so and, if this is the case, those compelling reasons must be stated in
writing and must be provided to the Chief Executive Officer.
C) A person holding such a post is required under the Ethics in Public Office
Acts 1995 and 2001 to act in accordance with any guidelines or advice
published or given by the Standards in Public Office Commission.
Guidelines for public servants on compliance with the provisions of the
Positions remunerated Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 are available on the Standards
at or above €168,000
Commission’s website http://www.sipo.gov.ie/
at 1 January 2010.
Positions remunerated at or above €168,000 as at 1st January 2010 are
designated positions under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001.
In accordance with Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, a
person holding such a post is required to prepare and furnish an annual
statement of any interests which could materially influence the
performance of the official functions of the post. This annual statement of
interest should be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer not later than
31st January in the following year.
In addition to the annual statement, a person holding such a post is
required, whenever they are performing a function as an employee of the
HSE and have actual knowledge, or a connected person, has a material
interest in a matter to which the function relates, provide at the time a
statement of the facts of that interest. A person holding such a post
should provide such statement to the Chief Executive Officer. The function
in question cannot be performed unless there are compelling reasons to
do so and, if this is the case, those compelling reasons must be stated in
writing and must be provided to the Chief Executive Officer.
Under the Standards in Public Office Act 2001, the post holder must within
nine months of the date of appointment provide the following documents
to the Standards in Public Office Commission at 18 Lower Lesson Street,
Dublin 2:
A Statutory Declaration, which has been made by the post holder not more
than one month before or after the date of the appointment, attesting to
compliance with the tax obligations set out in section 25(1) of the
Standards in Public Office Act and declaring that nothing in section 25(2)
prevents the issue to the post holder of a tax clearance certificate
and either
a Tax Clearance Certificate issued by the Collector-General not more than 9
months before or after the date of the appointment or
an Application Statement issued by the Collector-General not more than 9
months before or after the date of the appointment.
A person holding such a post is required under the Ethics in Public Office
Acts 1995 and 2001 to act in accordance with any guidelines or advice
published or given by the Standards in Public Office Commission.
Guidelines for public servants on compliance with the provisions of the
Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 are available on the Standards
Commission’s website http://www.sipo.gov.ie/
Note: this Job Description may be subject to change to reflect the evolving requirements of the College in
delivering the RCSI Noble Purpose and Vision
RCSI Noble Purpose: building on our heritage in surgery, we will enhance human health through
endeavour, innovation and collaboration in education, research and service
RCSI Vision: to become one of Europe’s leading Health Science institutions through building a truly
international medical College network, enhancing leadership in Irish surgical practice and education and
delivering a focused and distinctive research programme
Consultant/Paymaster/Nov12