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St. Vincent’s Private Hospital

Principal Clinical Engineer

Permanent Job Description

November 2019

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About us

St Vincent’s Private Hospital is the single, biggest acute private hospital in Dublin. We offer the highest

number of consultants and the widest range of specialist care in Ireland’s only integrated multi-hospital

campus. Situated on the same grounds as St Vincent’s University Hospital, we share resources, expertise

and medical facilities with one of the country’s leading academic teaching hospital. This means that we have

the capacity to deal with a high volume of patients with a variety of different and often complex medical and

surgical requirements.

We are a registered not for profit charity who continues to set new standards and benchmarks for private

medical care in Ireland.

Our patients can access a comprehensive range of specialist services including Breast Surgery, Cardiology,

Dermatology, Endocrinology, ENT Surgery, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Microbiology, Radiology,

Radiotherapy, Hepatobiliary Surgery, Renal Metabolic Medicine, Medicine for the Elderly, Neurology,

Oncology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Pain Management, Urology, Gynaecology, Haematology,

Histopathology, Palliative Medicine, Plastic Surgery, Respiratory Medicine, Rheumatology, Thoracic Surgery

and Vascular Surgery.

The hospital has 236 inpatient beds, 31 general and 23 oncology day care beds, 12 consulting suites,

operating theatres for major and minor surgery, endoscopy, radiotherapy, cardiology and diagnostic imaging

facilities which includes General Radiography, CT Scanning, Interventional Radiology, Mammography,

Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

St. Vincent’s Private Hospital is part of St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group which also includes St. Vincent’s

University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4 and St. Michael’s Hospital, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Our Values

At St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, we will strive to maintain excellence in clinical and multi-disciplinary care.

We will treat each of our patients individually with dignity and respect recognising, at all times, the right of

everyone to access the care and treatment they need to achieve the best possible healthcare outcomes –

regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or gender.

We will remain true to our values of human dignity, compassion, justice, quality and advocacy.

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Part I: Person Specification

Part II: General Accountability

Outline of Duties and Responsibilities

Part III: Particulars of Office

Part IV: General Information

PART 1: PERSON SPECIFICATION

CRITERIA ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

(1) Qualifications (i) Minimum: 3 year full-time

engineering or applied science

diploma in one of the following

disciplines:

Biomedical Engineering

(i) Membership of an

appropriate professional

body and meeting relevant

requirements for

Continuing Professional

Development

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CRITERIA ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

Electrical engineering (Power,

Controls and Signals)

Electronic engineering

Electronic &/or

Telecommunication engineering

Instrumentation engineering

(Industrial and Physical)

Mechanical engineering

Electronics, Engineering Principles

& Physics

Computer and Information

Technology

Or an equivalent qualification

(ii) Evidence of a commitment to

Continuing Education.

(ii) Relevant engineering

degree or equivalent

(2) Experience

Minimum 5 years working in a hospital

environment

(3) Technical Provide clinical technical services for

preventative maintenance, servicing,

inspection and repair to a wide range of

patient-critical medical equipment.

Identify improvement opportunities and

promote ways of implementing those.

(4) IT Excellent computer skills: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Email, Asset/Equipment

Management Record System, Ability to generate management reports (inc a

basic understanding of IT networks).

(5) Safety Ability to carry out calibration, safety

(including electrical safety) and

acceptance testing on medical equipment

and test equipment.

(6) Managing

Budgets

Experience managing a budget and

reporting on same.

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CRITERIA ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

NB. Where training needs are identified support will be provided.

JOB TITLE – COMPETENCIES

(1) Communication Skills (i) Have excellent communication and

interpersonal skills with the ability to

interact and network with all levels and

stakeholders in the organisation.

(2) Results Orientation (i) Have initiative, diplomacy and analytical

skills necessary for anticipating changes

that are required and persisting until those

changes are implemented.

(3) Organisational Skills (i) Have excellent organisational,

administrative, resource and time

management skills; the ability to multi task,

combined with the ability to prioritise and

delegate.

(4) Initiative (i) Have the ability to work independently on

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his/her own initiative and as a member of a

team.

(5) Problem Solving Skills (i) Have good decision making and problem

solving skills.

(6) Adaptability and Flexibility (ii) Be flexible and have an on-going positive

acceptance of and adaptability to changes

in the services.

(7) Teamwork Skills (iii) Have the ability to build effective working

relationships with others, co-operate with

colleagues to achieve goals and is sensitive

to their needs.

(8) Patient Focus / Service Skills (iv) Promotes patient safety.

PART II: ACCOUNTABILITY, DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist in maintaining awareness of the Mission and values throughout the Hospital in relation to all

Support Services activities.

Support the Building Services Manager in developing and maintaining best practice in the

management of the Clinical Engineering

Assist in reviewing and updating Policies, Procedures and Systems that support the needs of the

hospital.

Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the Values of the Hospital.

Reports to: Building Services Manager

Operationally Accountable to: Director of Support Services

The rate and pace of change in the health services is such that that adaptability is essential in this position.

SVPH is currently undergoing major developments and the post holder will be required to maintain and

enhance their professional knowledge, skills and aptitudes necessary to respond to a changing environment.

Specific Accountability

The Clinical Engineer will have the ability and experience to handle the day-to-day technical problems and

work tasks related to the management, maintenance, repair, and calibration of Medical equipment. The

post holder will have the skills, ability and breadth of experience and knowledge to be able to deal with

relevant routine and emergency situations as they arise and will be expected communicate equipment

related issues to relevant stakeholders.

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Develop the Clinical Engineering Service from a financial and quality perspective ensuring that medical

technology is used safely and effectively across the hospital, that there is sufficient, appropriate technology

in safe working order.

Main Responsibility

General

1. Develop the administration approach and systems to deliver a high quality Clinical Engineering service within budget.

2. Contribute as required to the development of the hospital’s policies and services, where required,

through participation in the work of, and contributing to the management of the appropriate operational teams and groups;

3. Provide or ensure the provision of maintenance services for electro-medical devices and/or other equipment in respect of its functional, electronic, optical, electrical and mechanical aspects to a

standard of safety, accuracy and reliability consistent with its function and with performance, safety

and professional standards and manufacturer’s recommendations;

4. Provide clinical technical services for preventative maintenance, servicing, inspection and repair to a wide range of patient-critical medical equipment.

Undertake front-line repairs on a variety of medical equipment. Eg. - Defibrillators, AED’s,

Anaesthetic Devices, Patient Monitors, T34s

Check that equipment performs to manufacturer’s specification.

Carry out electrical and functional safety checks on electrical medical equipment as

necessary. Provide appropriate immediate technical support and/or advice based on individual

knowledge and experience, making judgements as to priorities, working in close co-

operation with colleagues to ensure that the full objectives of the department are realised. Liaise with clinical staff to schedule preventative maintenance.

Take responsibility for all tools and equipment within the post holder’s care. (testing

equipment are calibrated are required etc).

Ensure facilities are kept clear and well ordered.

Review new equipment items at requisition and delivery stage to ensure they are fit for

purpose and appropriate for use.

Manage the process for equipment awaiting repair, commissioning, decommissioning

servicing etc. Manage the clinical equipment inventory, ensuring all contracts & equipment records are

kept up to date (including loan equipment).

Ensure that contractors comply with all documentation requirements.

Manage external medical contractors when on-site to ensure all hospital procedures are

adhered to. Ensure that all the requirements, statutory and recommended, needed to maintain a safe

Manage the asset tagging policy Gen 035 for the Medical equipment ensuring all equipment

is labelled correctly.

Liaise with database administration regarding the updating/ record keeping on database

(and assist where required).

5. St. Vincent’s Private Hospital is a JCI accredited and the post holder will be required to play a pivotal

role in ensuring adherence to relevant standards (in particular FMS Section 8.0) 6. Respond in appropriately timely manner to medical equipment scheduled and unscheduled

maintenance requirements; 7. Assist with the co-ordination and implementation of the preventative maintenance schedule and

safety programmes;

8. Be familiar with and follow the adverse event reporting procedure (and follow up on medical equipment issues where required).

9. Maintain department risk register in line with Hospital Policy; 10. Manage site risks relating to Clinical Engineering in line with Hospital Policy;

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11. Management of HPRA or equivalent safety notices pertaining to medical devices in line with Hospital

Policy; 12. Assist the Hospital and various departments to meet relevant accreditation standards;

13. Liaise with suppliers for the purposes of timely ordering & maintaining appropriate parts & consumables stock inventory;

14. Ensure the medical equipment/asset register is up to date and there is a complete record of work carried out on medical equipment which is properly and accurately maintained;

15. Support the nursing, medical and technical staff in the implementation of patient care involving

technology; 16. Advise on the selection, specification, acceptance testing, commissioning and safety of new

equipment and services; 17. Advise where required, on new technical installations;

18. Develop as required specialist fields of interest within the fields of Clinical Engineering;

19. Participate, as required, in education, training and research programmes; 20. Assess and manage contractor performance as it relates to clinical engineering;

21. Be professionally responsible for all aspects of the post; 22. To co-operate fully with ensuring compliance with Health and Safety requirements and regulations;

23. Work with Infection Control, Quality & Decontamination Departments to ensure the highest levels of compliance with national & international guidelines & legislation, with respect to the use &

application of electro-medical devices;

24. Any other duties deemed appropriate to the post. Please note that the duties of this post may change over time.

25. Assist in the determination of the cost effectiveness of service contracts. 26. Liaise with colleagues in external organisations to ensure best professional practice and guidance is

adopted.

27. Give feedback on the condition and performance of the equipment & make recommendations for replacement programme.

28. Assist in the preparation of policies & procedures with regard to the management of medical equipment throughout the hospital.

Quality Management 1. Identify improvement opportunities and promote ways of implementing those.

2. Be actively involved in the management of change. 3. Promote and assist quality initiatives e.g. JCI accreditation, HIQA standards

4. Co-operate fully with ensuring compliance with Health & Safety requirements and regulations.

5. Conduct Quality Assurance Programmes, e.g. inspections and audits and assist with the Hospital Accreditation Programme and compiling relevant KPIs as may be required.

6. Carry out all work in a manner, which takes account of the safety of themselves and others and in accordance with the Departments Safety Policy documents especially as regards potential

contamination of equipment and electrical, mechanical and chemical hazards.

7. When working in other departments, must liaise with local heads of department, medical consultants.

8. Undertake other duties consistent with the nature and grade of the post. 9. To perform such other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned from time to time by the

Building Services Manager.

Teaching, training and research 1. Provide technical support to clinical staff in the technological understanding and application of the

equipment in use. To advise on theory of operation, underlying physiological principles and safe clinical application of medical devices.

2. Contribute to formal and informal training of staff on the application of equipment.

3. Undertake in-house training assessments for formal training on necessary equipment. 4. Be expected on occasion to attend Manufacturer’s courses.

5. Keep abreast of technical developments. Enroll in appropriate Continuing Professional Development programmes. Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of personal development and to further

the work of the Department. 6. Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and meet regulatory requirements.

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Financial 1. Manage the electro-medical equipment budget ensuring the most effective use of available

resources.

2. Prepare budget estimates including a planned programme for replacing capital equipment and negotiating necessary funding.

3. Provide appropriate statistical and management information. 4. Assist in the production of an annual departmental report.

5. Prepare reports on equipment performance and life cycle costs.

Competencies, Skills and Abilities

Ability to provide a professional, quality service for clinical systems with regard to medical

equipment performance and safety; Have basic electrical/electronic skills enabling assembly, disassembly and adjustment of medical

equipment including the ability to fault find on medical equipment.

Excellent computer skills: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Email, Asset/Equipment Management

Record System, Ability to generate management reports.

Have at a minimum, a basic understanding of IT networks.

Excellent professional, technical and communication skills.

Ability to carry out calibration, safety and acceptance testing on medical equipment and test

equipment Exemplar record-keeping skills for medical equipment maintenance;

Ability to understand and carry out electrical safety tests on medical equipment.

Experience of management and maintenance of a broad range of medical equipment including

patient critical medical equipment

Strong communications, organisational, planning and interpersonal skills.

An ability to meet deadlines and work on own initiative including the ability to deal effectively with a

number of tasks simultaneously. Ideally, have experience working within a Project Management Framework.

Experience managing a budget and reporting on same.

An understanding of Courtesy, Privacy and Confidentiality as it pertains to patients, from a civil,

social, technical and GDPR perspective. An understanding of risk management with regard to medical equipment and GDPR.

At a minimum, have a basic understanding of the infrastructure for supporting networked medical

devices and ability to work with IT professionals to manage risk to reduce vulnerability to cyber-

attack.

A good understanding of Infection Prevent and Control issues as they pertain to medical equipment.

Demonstrate an ability to horizon scan with regard to medical technology.

Understand and be able to document the core elements of a business case.

Be able to present an issue in a clear and concise manner if required.

NOTE: This Job Description is an outline of the current broad areas of responsibility and accountability and

should not be regarded as a comprehensive listing. It will be reviewed and updated in line with future needs.

PART III: PARTICULARS OF OFFICE

The appointment is Permanent

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1. Duties:

The Principal Clinical Engineer will perform the duties of the post as outlined in Part II of this

Job Description, and assume any other responsibilities that are applicable to the full discharge of the

post.

2. Hours of work:

Normal working hours are 37 hours. Your contracted hours of work are liable to change between

the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day’s services in

accordance with the term of the Framework Agreement.

3. Remuneration:

Remuneration is in accordance with the salary scale approved by the Department of Health &

Children.

4. Probation:

The successful candidate will be appointed initially for a probationary period of 6 months during

which their suitability to the post will be monitored. At the end of the probationary period the

service will (a) be certified as satisfactory and confirmed in writing or (b) if not satisfactory, the

probationary period may be extended by 3 months.

5. Pension:

The successful candidate will be eligible to join the hospital Defined Contribution pension scheme

once 6 month probationary period is complete and certified as satisfactory. Membership of the

Private Hospital’s Pension Scheme, which includes Disability Scheme, is compulsory once you

become eligible to join under the terms of the scheme. The Pension Scheme is a Defined

Contribution Pension Scheme; the deduction from your salary will be 5% of Basic Salary, which will

be deducted on the occasion of each salary payment.

6. Annual Leave:

The annual leave entitlement will be in accordance with the Hospital Annual Leave Policy.

7. Sick Leave:

Payment of salary during illness will be in accordance with the Hospital sick leave policy.

8. Termination of Office:

The employment may be terminated at any time by three months’ notice on either side except

where circumstances are dictated by the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973/77.

The Hospital Management hopes it will not be necessary to exercise their right under this paragraph.

However, in circumstances where Management conclude that the post holder has failed to perform

their duties to a standard consistent with their responsibilities, or where their conduct in relation to

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the post or otherwise would render them unfit to hold the post, the Management right will be

exercised.

9. Confidentiality:

In the course of your employment you may have access to, or hear information concerning the

medical or personal affairs of patients and/or staff, or other health services business. Such records

and information are strictly confidential and, unless acting on the instruction of an authorised officer,

on no account must information concerning staff, patients or other health service business be

divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duty. In addition records must never be

left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them and must be kept in safe

custody when no longer required.

10. Where there is a conflict between the Job description (Particulars of Office) and the contract of

employment, the contract of employment will take precedence.

PART IV: GENERAL INFORMATION

References: The names and address of two referees must be submitted with your application

Interview Panel: The interview panel will consist of:

Building Services Manager

Director of Support Services

Human Resources Representative Senior Clinical Coordinator

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Short listing: It is proposed to hold the short listing from Monday 18th November 2019

Interview: The proposed interview date is: TBC

The venue for the interview will be at the Hospital.

Informal Enquiries: Informal enquiries can be made to Mr Rob Ruttledge, Building Services

Manager r.ruttledge@svph.ie

Employee Benefits

VHI and Irish Life

Scheme

Sick Leave scheme Cycle to work scheme HSE rates of pay

{incremental salary

scale} and HSE annual

leave allowances

Pension scheme Health Service Credit

Union

Disability Scheme Discounted staff rates for

hospital procedures

Subsidised restaurant Discount Pharmacy rates Flexibility – promote

good work/life balance

Full occupational health

services available to

support staff health and

welfare

Change room facility with

staff lockers and showers

Support for Training &

Development including

regular internal training

courses across a wide

spectrum of role areas

Excellent access to public

transport including Dart

(Sydney Parade Station

nearby) and bus routes

AXA scheme available for

motor and home

insurance (salary

deduction)

Tax saver Bus & Rail

tickets

SVPH Group Scheme

Discounts

Permanent health

insurance – we offer

income protection

insurance to all eligible

staff

Car parking options

available at very

reasonable rates

Staff Fitness Centre

Application: Closing Date: Friday 15th November 2019

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

I have read and understood my duties as outlined above and agree to carry out my

role accordingly.

Signed: _________________________ Date: ___________________

Staff Member’s Name

Please return this signed copy to the HR Department. Thank you.

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Remember the International Patient Safety Goals (IPSG)

Goal 1: Identify Patients Correctly

Goal 2: Improve Effective Communication

Goal 3: Improve the Safety of High-Alert Medications

Goal 4: Ensure Safe Surgery

Goal 5: Reduce the Risk of Health Care-Associated Infections

Goal 6: Reduce the Risk of Patient Harm resulting from Falls