The SACC Directorate at St. James's Hospital focuses on the surgical patient process from outpatients through to discharge.
Key principles include delivering a safe, personal, clinically effective and high-quality service to all patients, with clear accountability for all staff members.
The hospital delivers a wide range of surgical services at local, regional and national levels.
The SACC Directorate comprises 13 specialties: Urology, Gynaecology, General Surgery, ENT, Breast Care, Maxillofacial, Vascular, Plastics, Orthopaedics, Cardiothoracic, Pain Management, Anaesthesia and Critical Care.
The directorate is led by the Directorate Management Team, comprising the Clinical Director and Operations Manager.
Regular engagement with clinical teams through leads for each specialty has been a key focus, with the establishment of monthly specialty meetings.
The purpose of these meetings was to improve communication, address operational issues and set out development plans for each service at a strategic level.
The Department of Anaesthesia provides anaesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine services at St. James's Hospital, which is Ireland's largest acute academic hospital affiliated with Trinity College Dublin.
The department operates 12 theatres, including a standalone burns theatre, a standalone endovascular suite and a dedicated day-case suite, with two major and one minor theatres and a pre-operative assessment unit.
The Intensive Care service covers the General Intensive Care Unit, High Dependency, cardio-thoracic ICU, Burns Unit, in addition to ventilated patients in the Coronary Care Unit and an emergency consult service to the wards and Emergency Department.
The department provides anaesthesia for adult patients in various disciplines, including general surgery, cardio-thoracic, vascular, otorhinolaryngology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, including burns, maxillo-facial, orthopaedics and gynaecology.
A significant oncological surgery component exists across all these disciplines.
In addition, the ICU admits trauma and acute medical patients, with nationwide referrals accepted.
The department is recognised for training by several bodies, including the College of Anaesthetists for both BST and Sp R training, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland for two months' BST in Intensive Care Medicine, the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland for Sp R training in Intensive Care Medicine, the Irish Board of Intensive Care Medicine and the Pain medicine team, led by Dr OGara and Dr Fitzgerald.
This team runs the acute and chronic pain service, with a Pain Medicine Fellow and a rotating registrar.
Three Clinical Nurse Specialists work within the Pain Medicine service, alongside a ward-based epidural and peripheral nerve block infusion service.
An active teaching programme exists, in which the successful applicant will participate.
The department teaches undergraduate medical students, postgraduate anaesthesia and intensive care trainees, nursing and paramedical staff, as well as participating in the Primary and Final Fellowship pre-examination courses and the Intensive Care Diploma Course.
Four college tutors supervise training within the department.
Research activities are increasing, with four research Fellows undertaking doctorates attached to the department.
The Registrar position contributes to a 39-person team, including 13 Specialist Registrars.
Learning opportunities revolve around simulation teaching, daily Consultant-led patient handover and ward rounds, daily formal registrar teaching, regular inter-specialty seminars and a clinical audit programme.
Research in all facets of anaesthesia is actively supported within the department.
Candidates will be responsible for assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing and evaluating treatment for patients according to professional standards and under the supervision of the Consultant.
They must document all assessments, diagnoses, treatments, clinical notes, relevant contacts and summaries in accordance with department and professional standards.
Candidates must communicate results of assessments and recommendations to the patient and relevant others as appropriate, fostering close working relationships with colleagues and other professionals to maximise patient potential.
They must participate in teams, communicating and working in collaboration with the patient and other team members as part of an integrated package of care.
Candidates must attend clinics and participate in relevant meetings, case conferences and ward rounds, followed by documentation of findings on each patient's chart, and follow-through with actions arising from the round in conjunction with the Supervising Consultant.
They must contribute to the development and implementation of procedures, policies and guidelines while adhering to existing standards and protocols, maintaining professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation.
Candidates must seek advice and assistance from the Consultant with any assigned cases or issues that prove to be beyond their professional competence in line with principles of best practice and clinical governance.
They must participate in audits and research, engaging in technological developments as they apply to patient and service administration.
Candidates must participate in mandatory and recommended training programmes in accordance with organisational and professional requirements, maintain and develop professional expertise and knowledge by actively engaging in continuing professional education and development, and engage in planning and performance reviews as required with the Supervising Consultant.
Candidates must comply with policies, procedures and safe professional practice of the Irish Healthcare System by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards, documenting appropriately and reporting any near misses, hazards and accidents, and bringing them to the attention of relevant designated individual(s) in line with best practice.
Candidates must work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self and others, be aware of risk management issues, identify risks and take appropriate action, and promote a culture that values diversity and respect.
Candidates must ensure good working practice and adhere to standards of best practice, promote quality by reviewing and evaluating the service, identifying changing needs and opportunities to improve services, assist the Consultant in service development, including policy development and implementation, and ensure the maintenance of accurate records in line with best clinical governance, the organisation's requirements and the Freedom of Information Act, providing reports and other information/statistics as required.