1.0WTE Senior Therapist – Pain Service (open to Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists) (03.003 (2024))

Specified Purpose Contract

Tallaght, County Dublin, Ireland

Job Details

Job Title: 1.0WTE Senior Therapist – Pain Service (open to Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists)
Reference No: 03.003 (2024)
Department / Directorate: Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy Department,
COO Directorate
Reports to: Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist Manager-in-Charge III or Deputy

Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is one of Ireland’s largest acute teaching hospitals, adult, psychiatric and age-related healthcare on one site. The Hospital has 450 adult beds with over 3,500 people on staff and more than 60 different nationalities represented. The Hospital is a provider of local, regional and national specialties. It is a designated trauma unit incorporating the National Pelvic and Acetabular Unit, a regional Urology Centre and the second largest provider of renal dialysis services in the country.   
One of the two main academic teaching hospitals of Trinity College Dublin - TUH specialise in the training and professional development of staff in areas such as Medicine, Nursing, Health and Social Care Professionals. TUH is part of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group which serves a population of over 1.2 million across seven counties. 
The Hospital is an exciting and dynamic place to work, in the midst of implementing a new hospital strategy, the team have already delivered on the opening of a new Renal Dialysis unit, Reeves Day Surgery Centre, a step down facility in the community, a new ICU and the development of a supraregional Endometriosis Service. It is an exciting time to join the TUH team and one of Ireland’s main teaching hospitals with so many plans to enhance patient care. The Hospital believes in investing in their team and offers excellent education and research opportunities.

TUH Vision and Values
The vision of the Hospital is “People Caring for People to Live Better Lives” through excellent health outcomes supported by evidenced based practice, positive patient and staff experience in an empowering and caring environment. A culture of innovation and quality improvement in everything we do.
Our TUH CARE values – for patients, their families, our community and staff are:
  • Collaborate – together and with our academic and care partners
  • Achieve – our goals, positive outcomes and wellbeing
  • Respect – for patients, each other and our environment
  • Equity – for patients and staff
At TUH we view our staff as our most valuable asset and every member of the Team is valued equally.  We recognise that a skilled, satisfied and motivated workforce is a prerequisite to high quality care.

A full overview of TUH is available on www.tuh.ie/about us

Purpose of the role:
The Senior therapist (Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist) will work with chronic pain patients as part of a multi-disciplinary team.  They will assess and manage patients in out-patient MDT clinics, as part of the Ulysses Pain Management Programme and for discipline specific intervention, education and rehabilitation.

Overview of role:
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
  • Undertake an appropriate assessment, draw up individual treatment plans and provide effective treatment to all referred patients to the speciality
  • Set and maintain a high standard of clinical practice
  • Ensure that privacy and dignity of the patient is respected at all times
  • Liaise with patients, carers and other health professionals to ensure a holistic approach to patient care
  • Maintain good communications with Consultants, General Practitioners and community care team members for early discharge and adequate follow - up
  • Keep abreast with current changes in clinical practice by attending seminars, conferences and post-graduate courses
  • Maintain an accurate record-keeping system to comply with legal requirements, to support clinical studies and to provide information for data collection
  • Participate in weekend, bank holiday and on-call rota
  • Attend clinics, team meetings and / or ward rounds when necessary
Education and Training
  • Play an active role in the departmental in-service training and teaching programme for other health professionals
  • Organise and facilitate the running of national and international courses
  • Supervise, teach and advise junior staff, students and ancillary staff working in the speciality
  • Liaise with teaching staff and participate in the clinical training and assessment of therapy students
  • Facilitate and jointly supervise undergraduate research projects
  • Actively participate in multi-disciplinary and multi-centred trials
Administration
  • Responsible for the organisation and provision of the therapy service for patients admitted in the area of speciality to which he/she is assigned
  • Promote, encourage and oversee the development of speciality and the career development of staff members of the team
  • Keep records appropriate to his / her office as may be required
  • Participate in clinical audit activities to monitor clinical standards
  • Comply with departmental policies on data collection, administrative procedures and health and safety guidelines
  • Do regular appraisals with staff
  • Advise manager on planning and development of speciality area in liaison with senior staff of other disciplines
  • Ensure safe working environment for patients and staff and report immediately any accident either staff or patient
  • Assist with induction of junior staff to the department
  • Read and act upon all issued staff policies
  • Perform such other duties as may be assigned to her/him by the associated Therapy Manager
Qualifications & Experience required
Must have:
  • Hold a Physiotherapy qualification/Occupational Therapy qualification recognised by the Physiotherapists/Occupational Therapists Registration Boards at CORU. Please see list of acceptable qualifications
https://coru.ie/files-registration/hse-list-of-physiotherapist-qualifications.pdf
https://coru.ie/health-and-social-care-professionals/education/approved-qualifications/occupational-therapists/
And
  • Be registered on the Physiotherapists/Occupational Therapists Register maintained by the Physiotherapists Registration Board/ Occupational Therapists Registration Board at CORU
And
  • Demonstrate evidence of recent formal continuing professional development relevant to the required area of specialism, in the form of post-graduate qualifications or relevant courses
And
  • Candidates must have a minimum of 3 years full time (or an aggregate of 3 years full time) post qualification clinical experience for offer of senior contract. Candidates with 2.5 years clinical experience are eligible to apply with a view to forming a panel.
  • Within that, candidates must have experience in the treatment and management of chronic pain/long term chronic conditions.
And
  • Have the clinical, managerial and administrate capacity to fulfil the functions of the role
  • Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office
  • On appointment, practitioners must maintain annual registration on Physiotherapists/Occupational Therapists Register maintained by the Physiotherapists Registration Board/Occupational Therapists Registration Board at CORU
  • Practitioners must confirm annual registration with CORU to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC)
  • Must have a valid EU work permit/visa 
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
  • A clinical post-graduate Masters qualification relative to the role
  • Experience in the supervision of junior therapists and/or students and/or therapy assistants
  • Recent experience in an acute hospital setting
  • Fully on-call competent (physiotherapists only)
  • Experience delivering treatment/intervention in a group setting
Reward & Recognition
  • Remuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, grade code 3158/3301.
  • The appointment is full time, temporary and pensionable. A panel will be created from which future full time and part time opportunities will be offered.
  • The annual leave entitlement is 29 working days per year. The leave year runs from 1st April to the 31st of March each year.
  • Normal working hours are 35 worked over 5 days. Your contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8 am to 8 pm over 7 days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement.
Application process
Applications can be submitted ‘on-line’ at www.tuh.ie/careers by completing the application form and attaching your CV.  Please note that, for Physiotherapists, you must also complete a Work History Form which must be submitted online as one document with your CV. Please request the Work History Form by e-mail to elaine.barker@tuh.ie  
Candidates should be aware that, when applying for a post through the 'On-Line' Application System (Candidate Manager) they will receive an automated replying acknowledging receipt of their application.  Should you for any reason, not receive this automated acknowledgement, you should notify the Human Resources Department, before the closing date, otherwise your application will not be considered.
All candidates should note that, in order to maintain a timely process, the closing date and time for receipt of applications will be strictly adhered to.
 
Informal Enquiries to: Elaine Barker, Physiotherapist Manager-in-Charge III, Physiotherapy Department, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin 24       
Telephone (01) 4142756 or email elaine.barker@tuh.ie
Or
Laura Ahern, Occupational Therapist Manager-in-Charge III, Occupational Therapy Department, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin 24       
Telephone (01) 41422791 or email laura.ahern@tuh.ie

***This is an open active panel, candidates who meet the criteria may be contacted on a weekly basis for interview***

TUH Core Competencies:
Core AreaCompetencyLevel
Managing the serviceQuality & Safety of Service3
Managing the serviceDelivery of Results3
Managing ChangeProblem Solving & Decision Making3
Managing ChangeCommunications & Influencing 3
Managing YourselfTeam player3
Managing YourselfPlanning and Organising 3
Managing PeoplePeople Management 3
Managing PeopleLeadership 3

Please go to www.tuh/careers for details of the core competencies

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Age Restrictions In Relation To Applications
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 applications for the office occurs.

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 as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Garda Vetting
Garda vetting is sought for all employees and prospective employees of Tallaght University Hospital.  Given the specialised nature of the services provided, your appointment will be subject to satisfactory Garda vetting and re-vetting in circumstances where the Hospital deems it appropriate.  The Hospital will then process the necessary documentation to endeavour to obtain the satisfactory Garda clearance for you. You are obliged to disclose previous and any criminal convictions acquitted during the course of your employment.  Should the Hospital obtain information from the Garda vetting unit to indicate that your Garda clearance report is not satisfactory and / or if you have supplied the Hospital with false or misleading information in relation to your Garda clearance status, the Hospital reserves the right to withdraw or terminate the contract in accordance with Tallaght University Hospital Garda vetting policy.

Point on Salary Scale
New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, local authorities, health service and other public service bodies and statutory agencies.

Probation
The probationary period may be extended at the Hospital’s discretion but will not in any case exceed 9 months. Confirmation of your appointment as a permanent member of staff is subject to the successful completion of the probation period.  Termination of this agreement within the probationary period shall be at the discretion of the Hospital, in accordance with the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973 - 2001.

Termination of Employment
The employment may be terminated at any time by one months’ notice on either side except where circumstances are dictated by the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973/91. The Management’s right under this paragraph shall not be exercised save in circumstances where the Management is of the opinion that the holder of the office has failed to perform satisfactorily the duties of the post or has misconducted himself/herself in relation to the post or is otherwise unfit to hold the appointment.

Sick Leave
  • There is provision for sick pay at the Hospitals discretion, subject to the regulations and details found in the Staff Handbook/ Personnel Policy Manual, as per the Hospitals sick leave policy.
  • In the event of absence from work, you are required to contact your Manager/Supervisor within one hour of starting time on the first day of absence, while a Medical Certificate is required for any illness lasting in excess of two days. Failure to comply with the sick leave policy may result in a loss of pay for the period of absence and may also incur disciplinary action.
Information Technology & data
  • Make the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for both patient care and administrative support in a manner which integrates well with systems throughout the organisation.
  • Collect, interpret and present data and information on the Department’s activities, staffing and expenditure, as required.
Pension Arrangements and Retirement age
There are three superannuation schemes currently in operation for staff in Tallaght University Hospital:
(a) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant) 
(b) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant)
(c) Single Public Service Pension Scheme

Please read carefully the summary of the criteria for the three superannuation schemes below. This will assist you in identifying which scheme membership is applicable to your employment circumstances.
(a) If you have been continually employed in the public service prior to the 1st April 2004 and you have not had a break in service of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant) with a Minimum Retirement Age of 60 and a Maximum Retirement Age of 65.
(b) If you have been continually employed in the public service post the 1st April 2004 and you have not had a break in service of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant) with a Minimum Retirement Age of 65. There is no Maximum Retirement Age.
(c) If you have commenced employment in the public service as a new entrant or you are a former public servant, returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Single Public Service Pension Scheme effective from the 1st January 2013 with a minimum retirement age of 66 (rising to 67 and 68 in line with state pension changes).  The maximum retirement age under this scheme will be age 70.

Health & Safety
  • All employees must comply with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.
  • Comply with relevant Health and Safety responsibilities as outlined in Hospital Polices, Protocols and Procedures relevant to your area.
  • Take reasonable care to protect your own safety, health and welfare and that of any other person who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work.
Hygiene / Infection prevention and control 
  • All employees have responsibility for Hygiene awareness.  Hygiene is defined as “The practice that serves to keep people and environments clean and prevent infection.”
  • All employees also have a responsibility under their terms of employment to prevent transmission of infection and to follow the hospital infection control policies and guidelines as outlined in the Infection Control Manual.
  • All employees must be aware that they work in an area where there is potential for transmission of infection.
  • All employees have a responsibility to follow hand hygiene guidelines as this is the single most important intervention to prevent the transmission of infection.
Quality, safety and risk management
  • Support the delivery of the Quality, Safety and Risk Management Programme, including the appropriate identification and management of risks and incidents throughout the hospital.
Data Management
  • Ensure compliance with the obligations required by the Data Protection Act 2018.
Confidentiality
You will be aware of the confidential nature of Hospital work and in particular, the right of patients to confidentiality.  To this end, you will not discuss workings of the Hospital or its patients or disclose any information of a confidential nature except as required to do so in the course of your work. No records, documents or property of the Hospital may be removed from the premises of the Hospital without prior authorisation. You must return to the Hospital upon request and, in any event, upon the termination of your employment, all documents or other property of the Hospital which are in your possession or under your control.

Mandated and Designated Persons under Children First Act 2015
Schedule 2 of the Children First Act 2015 specifies the classes of persons defined as Mandated Persons for the purposes of the Act. This includes a range of disciplines that are employed by the hospital including all medical practitioners, registered nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers and others.  This includes staff working in adult services. All mandated persons have two main legal obligations under the Children First Act 2015.  Mandated persons, under the legislation are required to report any knowledge, belief or reasonable suspicion that a child has been harmed, is being harmed, or is at risk of being harmed. The Act defines harm as assault, ill-treatment, neglect or sexual abuse, and covers single and multiple instances. Mandated persons are also required to assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report. Designated Officer are required to receive reports of suspected child abuse or neglect from any person who is of the opinion that (a) a child has been or is being assaulted, ill-treated, neglected or sexually abused, or (b) a child’s health, development or welfare has been or is being avoidably impaired or neglected. Full detailed list of mandated and designated staff together with details of their roles and responsibilities can be found on https://www.tusla.ie/children-first.  It is the responsibility of all staff employed by TUH to be aware of their roles and responsibilities under the legislation and to complete mandatory Children First Training.