Job Description and Person Specification
Title
College
School
Discipline
Level
Contract Type
Reporting To
Closing Date
Vacancy Reference
Lecturer Fixed Term in Clinical Practice - Paediatrics, Portiuncula Hospital,
0.25 FTE
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Medicine
Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe
Fixed Term
Temporary
Dean of Medical Academy/Head of School of Medicine NUIG
17.00 (GMT)
007658
Overview of post
The post holder will be 0.25 FTE employee of the National University of Ireland, Galway and will
be appointed at the appropriate rate on the academic pay scales.
Candidates for the above post in the School of Medicine based at Portiuncula Hospital and in
affiliation with NUIG/UL should be within or have completed General Professional Training. They
should have or be in the process of obtaining MRCPI or other higher qualifications in their
specialty.
The position will be based in the Teaching Academy at Portiuncula hospital in affiliation with the
University of Limerick and NUI Galway.
The successful candidate will have a major involvement in teaching and research and will be
responsible for supervising programme delivery in the Forth Year of the Limerick graduate entry
programme mainly with some input into fourth year of the Galway curriculum in undergraduate
medicine.
The appointment is for a fixed term, (quarter time) contract which will commence July 2014 to
June 2015.
Salary: €62,059 – €76,916 pro rata per annum.
For informal enquiries, contact to:
Dr. Maeve C. Durkan, Dean of Portiuncula Academy,
E-mail: maevedurkan@gmail.com ;
Dr Edina Moylett, Senior Lecturer in Paediatrics, NUIG
E-mail: edina.moylett@nuigalway.ie
Dr Elizabeth O mahoney, Academic Lead in Paediatrics, UL GEMS
Email: liz2028@hotmail.com
Closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 (GMT) on Thursday, 17th July 2014. It will
not be possible to consider applications received after the closing date.
For more information and Application Form please see ‘Application and Appointment
Procedures’ (Page 7). Applications should be submitted online.
Garda vetting may apply.
Please note that appointment to posts advertised will be dependent upon University
approval, together with the terms of the Employment Control Framework for the higher
education sector.
National University of Ireland Galway is an equal opportunities employer.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Fottrell Report is a vision for the future of medical education in Ireland. It is
Government policy and is currently being implemented.
The implications for NUI Galway are that it will grow from an annual EU intake of 55
students to 118 entering undergraduate medical training. It is also planned to continue a
non-EU cohort of 30-40 students, which will mean 150-160 students requiring clinical
teaching for the final 2½ years of their undergraduate programme in due course.
The Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMS) at the University of Limerick (UL) was
established as part of the Fottrell implementation process, and will have over 140
students graduating each year with a similar number of non-EU students to that of NUI
Galway.
Along with increasing the number of students, the Fottrell Report recommended
significant changes in the way clinical teaching is delivered. In particular, it
recommended that a variety of settings other than conventional teaching hospitals be
utilised. The Medical Council, in their most recent view of the Medical Schools, echo this
sentiment and urge Medical Schools to continue to innovate and diversify clinical training.
The Buttimer Report on the future of postgraduate training envisages a greater role for
the universities in the early part of general professional training and in ensuring a
seamless transition between undergraduate, intern and postgraduate education. The
HSE transformation programme envisages moving care away from acute hospitals and
delivering far more medical services via primary care teams. This is also coherent with
the message from Fottrell and the Medical Council that the training of medical students
should reflect their future roles as members of primary care teams, encouraging the
delivery of more education away from acute hospital sites, and in an interdisciplinary
context.
CURRICULUM INNOVATION AT NUI-GALWAY AND AT UL-GEMS
NUI Galway began the implementation of a major curriculum revision in 2006. This
follows on from a lengthy consultation process and has radically altered the student
learning experience. Our curriculum is now a 5-year programme (with a Foundation Year
for students without basic sciences in the Leaving Certificate). Teaching is delivered in
integrated systems-based modules in the first 2 years, and this is echoed in modularised
education in the final 3 years. One fifth of curricular time is devoted to medical
professionalism, which includes clinical methods; understanding health and illness;
ethics, law, and informatics; and special study options.
The clinical curriculum has been designed so that the modular elements can be delivered
either in Galway or at one of 4 affiliated centres. When the class reaches the final
planned size each student will spend 2 semesters at an affiliated site as part of their final
3 years. We believe that this pattern of teaching, which is similar to that which has been
successfully employed at the University of Bristol since 2002, will improve the quality of
clinical training and participation in medical education throughout the HSE West region.
The GEMS at UL delivers an integrated curriculum which is founded on problem based
learning (PBL) with students learning basic sciences in the context of clinical patient
problems. The programme delivery and student learning style is therefore different to that
of the Undergraduate programme. The curriculum in the clinical training years (Years 3 &
4) is “outcome based”, being centred on 131 clinical conditions that all students must be
able to manage by the time of graduation. This list has been derived from the two related
publications: Objectives for the Qualifying Examination produced by the Medical Council
of Canada and Anthology of Medical Conditions produced by the Australian Medical
Council. While the GEMS students will have encountered many of these clinical
conditions in the earlier years of the 4 year program through PBL and other integrated
learning methods the strategy of revisiting clinical problems at different times and in
different clinical settings throughout the programme is intentional as it promotes both
horizontal and vertical integration allowing students to build on their earlier learning.
THE JOINT NUIG-UL ACADEMY AT PORTIUNCULA HOPSITAL IN BALLINASLOE
In 2013 a joint Academy between strategic partners NUI-Galway and UL-GEMS was
established at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe.
The mix of students from two differing educational progammes at this unique Academy
makes for a stimulating education experience. When fully implemented up to 40 students
in all (20 UL, 20 NUIG) will be undertaking placements at Portiuncula/Roscommon. This
post related to paediatric teaching and assessment of UL GEMS students mainly.
CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
Both Universities are seeking HEA support for capital development at the Joint NUIG-UL
Academy at Portiuncula, so that a unified academic education centre can be provided
which will serve the needs of both Galway undergraduate and Limerick Graduate Entry
Medical students along with providing opportunities for interdisciplinary learning with
nursing, midwifery and allied healthcare professionals.
THE POST
The successful applicant will be a quarter time employee of the National University of
Ireland, Galway and will be appointed at the appropriate rate on the clinical academic pay
scales for one year in the first instance. The paediatric post (0.25 FTE) will be for ULGEMS students. A paediatric post (0.3FTE) is already in place for NUI Galway students.
Both paediatric tutors will work closely together. The successful candidate will be a
registered medical practitioner with basic professional training in a relevant discipline. A
higher specialist and a teaching qualification are desirable.
S/he will ideally have some research and clinical teaching experience. Support will be
available, as appropriate, to aid in the development of specialist educational skills. A
commitment to quality in teaching will be sought and an outline understanding of medical
education theory and practice is essential. S/he will need to be able to work with
colleagues from diverse disciplines.
TEACHING
The Medical programme at NUI Galway has undergone significant curriculum revision in
line with the recommendations of the Irish Medical Council. Each of the five years is
organized on a thematic basis. A recurring spiral professionalism course, dealing with
issues of general professional development, also runs through each year.
Graduate entry students from the University of Limerick currently undertake clinical
placements at Ballinasloe in their final two years in the disciplines of Medicine, Surgery
and Paediatrics, and are supported by Academic staff from both NUI Galway and the
University of Limerick.
The post-holder for this post will co-ordinate the delivery of Clinical education for UL
GEMS paediatric stduents at the Portiuncula Medical Academy. This will involve close
liaison with consultants, NCHDs, nursing and allied health professional staff. The post
holder will work closely with similar post-holders in all the clinical disciplines, including the
paediatric tutor for NUIG students, and with academic colleagues based at NUI Galway
and at the University of Limerick to deliver integrated co-ordinated specialist clinical
education and assessments. There is a strong emphasis on student centred learning and
patient-centred care - small group interactive teaching, self directed learning and regular
formative and summative assessment.
The focus of the Lecturer post will be on collaboratively developing and delivering the
relevant modules in the UL-GEMS programme primarily new revised medical curriculum
at NUI Galway: .
RESEARCH
An interest in undertaking quality research is desirable. The applicant will be supported in
collaborating with Medical Schools and Portiuncula General Hospital themes, which
include medical education, or in developing their own research programme.
MANAGEMENT
The appointee will contribute to the further development of the new NUI-Galway and the
UL-GEMS curriculum through feedback at hospital and school level. (S)He will coordinate and collate continuous assessments in consultation with the Strand leaders, and
Module coordinators at School Level. The appointee will report to Module Leads (ULGEMS).
Lecturer (Fixed Term) in Clinical Practice – 0.25 Post
JOB DESCRIPTION – ACADEMIC
The post holder will undertake undergraduate clinical teaching, examination and research
in Clinical Practice, at Portiuncula Hospital as affiliated with NUI Galway.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
o Teaching (Tutorial, Demonstrating, Lecturing)
Applicant will be expected to coordinate teaching and delivery of the
undergraduate Medicine curriculum in line with course delivery at the Graduate
Entry Medicine programme at the University of Limerick and NUIG. The lecturers
at Portiuncula Hospital will be a key component of the team, responsible for
coordinating teaching activities including small group teaching, seminars, case
presentations, bedside tutorials, lectures, field trips, etc. including timetabling of
events. Participation in assessment and provision of feedback, formative and
summative, are also responsibilities of the post. The applicant will also have an
input into the examination process.
o Research (Publications, Grant Applications/Awards, Ph.D. students)
Applicants will be expected to actively participate in research. Formation of
research collaborations with other academic departments and clinical staff as
appropriate. Supervision of research with undergraduate and postgraduate
students.
o Administration (Administrative, Management, Wider contribution)
Applicants will be expected to perform anticipated administration activities
such as, course timetabling, student rostering, supervising examination
delivery, student queries/feedback etc. General departmental administration
included; responsibility for leading / managing specific modules.
o Contribution to Community
Candidates will contribute to UL and NUIG through liaison where appropriate.
Candidates may also contribute to the school of medicine via committee work
where feasible. Candidates may be involved with instruction at
school/community level.
o Other
Candidates will liaise with the academic team at National University of Ireland,
Galway and University of Limerick, where appropriate, at regular intervals to
update re student progress, highlight problem areas with course delivery, update
re changes in course content/delivery, or to address concerns re specific student
progress.
Eligibility Requirements:
Essential Requirements:
 Medical Degree or equivalent
 At least 6 months clinical experience in the relevant discipline.
 Undergraduate teaching experience
 Interest in and commitment to research and evidence based practice
 Administration experience
 Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
 Leadership Qualities
 Commitment to evidence based practice
 Extensive experience in education
 Clinical competence
 Experience of working in a team-based environment
Desirable Requirements:
 Completed General Professional Training
 Higher specialist qualification and Training
 Experience in student assessment processes
 Published work in peer-reviewed journals.
 Post Graduate qualification in medical teaching
 Experience of problem based teaching methodology
Appointments will be conditional on work authorisation validation. Further details are available
at www.djei.ie
APPLICATION AND APPOINTMENT PROCEDURES
Current NUI Galway employees
If you are a current NUI Galway employee please use the NUI Galway Employee Self Service (ESS)
portal to apply for this post. Note that access to the ESS portal is currently only available on
campus. The following is a link to the ESS portal:
http://ess.nuigalway.ie
The following is a link to a User Guide for ESS:
www.nuigalway.ie/hr/documents/internal/nuig_user_guide_academic_internal.pdf
Please ensure that you read the attached guide prior to applying for this post and allow
sufficient time to make your online submission in advance of closing date.
Please note that closing dates/ times will not be extended for user error
Late applications will not be accepted.
Non NUI Galway employees
If you are not a current NUI Galway employee please use the NUI Galway online recruitment
portal to apply for this post. The following is a link to the online recruitment portal:
http://erecruit.nuigalway.ie
The following is a link to a User Guide for the online recruitment portal:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/hr/documents/nuig_user_guide_academic_external.pdf
Please ensure that you read the attached guide prior to applying for this post and allow
sufficient time to make your online submission in advance of closing date.
Please note that closing dates/ times will not be extended for user error
Late applications will not be accepted.
Please submit the following documents under the Applicant CV section of the online form:
1. A cover letter/personal statement outlining why you wish to be considered for the post
and where you believe your skills and experience meet the requirements for the post.
2. A comprehensive CV clearly showing your relevant achievements and experience in your
career to date.
The completed application document must be submitted online to reach the Human Resources
Office no later than 17.00 (GMT) on Thursday, 17th July 2014. Please note that an application
will ONLY be considered if your application is fully completed and received by the closing date.
All applicants will receive an acknowledgement of application within 5 working days. If you do
not receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application within this timeframe or if you
Human Resources Office NUI Galway
Page 7
have any other queries regarding the application process please contact recruit@nuigalway.ie or
telephone 091-492151
Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER):
It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department
of Finance Circular 12/09 that retirees, under that Scheme, are debarred from applying for
another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not
apply for this position.
Pension Entitlements:
This is a pensionable position. Details of the applicable Pension Scheme will be provided to the
successful candidate. The Pension element of this appointment is subject to the terms and
conditions of the Pension scheme currently in force within the University. This Scheme may be
amended or revised by the Irish Government or its agents at any time.
The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 set a minimum
retirement age of 65 and removed the upper compulsory retirement age for certain New
Entrants to the Public Sector on or after 1 April 2004. Effective from 1 st January 2013, The Single
Public Service Scheme applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service, as well as to
former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks.
Retirement age set, initially, at 66 years; this will rise in step with statutory changes in the State
Pension Contributory (SPC) age to 67 years in 2021 and 68 years in 2028.
Compulsory retirement age will be 70.
Declaration:
Applicants will be required to declare whether they have previously availed of a public service
scheme of incentivised early retirement. Applicants will also be required to declare any
entitlements to a Public Service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Public
Service employment and/or where they have received a payment-in-lieu in respect of service in
any Public Service employment.
Assessment Procedure
a) Board of Assessors
Applications will be considered by a Board of Assessors, which will shortlist and interview
candidates and report to the College, the Academic Council and Údaras na hOllscoile.
All applications and other materials submitted by applicants will be treated in strict confidence
by all panel members and others involved in the administration of the recruitment. No
information about the identity of applicants, or details of their applications, will be released to
others, except where it is necessary as part of the selection process.
b) Interview Dates
Candidates will be advised of arrangements in due course. Interview will be competency based.
c) Expenses
Expenses are paid to candidates invited to the Assessors’ Interview (see (a) above).
Appointment
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All candidates will in due course be notified of the outcome of their application. The Human
Resources Office will offer the post to the candidate appointed once the appointment has been
made by the University Appointing Authority.
Working at the National University of Ireland Galway
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