Standard Duties and Responsibilities
* To participate in development of and undertake all duties and functions pertinent to the Consultant’s area of competence, as set out within the Clinical Directorate Service Plan and in line with policies as specified by the Employer.
* To ensure that duties and functions are undertaken in a manner that minimises delays for patients and possible disruption of services.
* To work within the framework of the hospital / agency’s service plan and / or levels of service (volume, types etc.) as determined by the Employer. Service planning for individual clinical services will be progressed through the Clinical Directorate structure or other arrangements as apply.
* To co-operate with the expeditious implementation of the Disciplinary Procedure.
* To formally review the execution of the Clinical Directorate Service Plan with the Clinical Director / Employer periodically. The Clinical Directorate Service Plan shall be reviewed periodically at the request of the Consultant or Clinical Director / Employer. The Consultant may initially seek internal review of the determinations of the Clinical Director regarding the Service Plan.
* To participate in the development and operation of the Clinical Directorate structure and in such management or representative structures as are in place or being developed. The Consultant shall receive training and support to enable him / her to participate fully in such structures.
* To provide, as appropriate, consultation in the Consultant’s area of designated expertise in respect of patients of other Consultants at their request.
* To ensure, in consultation with the Clinical Director, that appropriate medical cover is available at all times having due regard to the implementation of the European Working Time Directive as it relates to doctors in training.
* To supervise and be responsible for diagnosis, treatment and care provided by non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs) treating patients under the Consultant’s care.
* To participate as a right and obligation in selection processes for non-Consultant Hospital Doctors and other staff as appropriate. The Employer will provide training as required. The Employer shall ensure that a Consultant representative of the relevant specialty / sub-specialty is involved in the selection process.
* To participate in clinical audit and proactive risk management and facilitate production of all data / information required for same in accordance with regulatory, statutory and corporate policies and procedures.
* To participate in and facilitate production of all data / information required to validate delivery of duties and functions and inform planning and management of service delivery.
* To carry out teaching as appropriate.
* Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (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. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
* Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
* Act as spokesperson for the Organisation as required.
* Demonstrate pro-active commitment to all communications with internal and external stakeholders.
* Staff will work in accordance with the principles and values of recovery as described in the National Framework for Recovery for Irish Mental Health Services 2018-2020.
* To ensure patients are involved in decisions about their care and to respond to their views.
* To promote interdisciplinary working between relevant specialities.
* To provide high quality clinical care.
* To develop and maintain the competencies required to carry out the duties required of the post.
* To provide comprehensive acute and chronic gerontological care both within primary and secondary care settings.
Operational, strategic, developmental, clinical, administrative and other duties that will apply to the post:
This is a Consultant Physician in Geriatric Medicine post with full consultant responsibility in providing care to older frail patients both in the community and in the hospital.
The key responsibilities are to:
* Support the ICPOP MDT in ensuring the timely review of frail older people both in the community and in secondary care and develop clear pathways and referral models for same.
* Provision of advice, screening, assessment and intervention to maximise the independence of older people to enable them to live in their community.
* Create and develop new pathways that will support a safe discharge for older patients presenting to the acute sector.
* Provision of outpatient services in both the ambulatory care hub and acute settings as service dictates.
* Participation in disease specific clinics.
* Lead on the development of a Specialist Geriatric Ward within Wexford General Hospital specifically directed at frailty initially.
* Support admissions into rehabilitation beds from the community and the acute sector and complete a ward round weekly of the inpatients on the rehabilitation ward.
* Provision of general internal medicine services and participation in the “On Take Roster.”
* Participation in the administrative, planning and strategic development of the service for older people.
* Participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
* Support education and training for both hospital and community members of the MDT.
Teaching & Training Responsibilities
The Consultant Geriatrician will play a key role in the education and training of junior doctors, medical students, and allied health professionals. This includes supervising trainees, leading teaching sessions, and contributing to the continuous professional development of staff within both hospital and community settings.
* Research & Quality Improvement
The post-holder will be expected to engage in clinical research, quality improvement initiatives, and service evaluation projects. Active participation in clinical audits, guideline development, and the implementation of evidence-based practices will be essential to ensuring high standards of care within WEXICOP.
* Liaison with Other Services
The Consultant will collaborate with emergency medicine, rehabilitation units, psychiatry of old age, palliative care, and community health teams to ensure a coordinated approach to patient care. Strengthening partnerships with primary care, voluntary organizations, and residential care facilities will be essential for optimizing outcomes and supporting integrated pathways.
* Service Development & Leadership
As a key clinical leader, the Consultant will contribute to the ongoing development and expansion of geriatric services, advocating for new care pathways, digital health solutions, and outreach programs that enhance community-based care. The post-holder will also support strategic planning and policy development in line with national healthcare priorities.
The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. #J-18808-Ljbffr