Job Description
Acute Medicine Admissions Unit The Acute Medical Admissions Unit (AMAU) at St Jamess Hospitaloffers immediate and early specialist care to medical patients who present to the Emergency Department of St Jamess Hospital. The principle aim of the AMAU is to deliver safe, quality care, reduce the potential for prolonged length of hospital stay and facilitate a seamless and early effective discharge plan. Through designated AMAU staff, a supporting multidisciplinary team and priority access to diagnostic services, patients admitted to the AMAU are provided with rapid assessment, diagnosis, early commencement of appropriate treatments and integrated discharge planning. Acute Medicine Unit/Ambulatory Care Service In line with the National Acute Medicine Programme (NAMP), St Jamess Hospital has developed a novel Acute Medicine Unit (AMU) with the development of an ambulatory care service. The post holder will be expected to enhance current pathways for early discharge and develop speciality ambulatory care service. This service works in an integrated fashion with the Medical Ambulatory Care Suite and rapid access clinics and pathways to deliver the right care to the right patient at the right time, and where possible without admission. Chest pain, Headache, and DVT pathway are just some of the highly developed pathways for ambulatory care. The post holder will work with the clinical lead for Acute Medicine to ensure best care for patients presenting with acute medical conditions, and through regular evaluation continuously improve clinical patient care. The post holder will report to the Clinical Director for Medicine within the SJH Directorate Management structure. KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Management The appointee will have administrative duties as may be delegated by the Clinical Lead for acute medicine or the Clinical Director. The appointee may be required to assume the role of Clinical Lead Clinical To participate in developing and undertaking all duties and functions pertinent to the Consultants area of competence, as set out within the Clinical Directorate Service Plan and in line with policies as specified by the Employer. To be responsible for the care, treatment and review of all patients under his/her charge and to maintain clinical autonomy relating to the management and care of individual patients in line with assigned Work Schedule To collaborate and work closely with the patient, his/her family, the multidisciplinary team, managerial/ administrative staff and external agencies to facilitate discharge planning, continuity of care and specific care requirements To provide, as appropriate, consultation in the Consultants area of designated expertise in respect of patients of other Consultants at their request. Development of additional subspecialist clinical services eg. an additional specialist clinic or procedure list depending on the candidates specialty certification and interests. Such development will be encouraged where the these services can enhance access to and quality of clinical care for patients attending SJH To participate in the AMU Ambulatory Care and general medicine on-call rotas and provide cross-cover as appropriate. To alternate with the other consultants in the department and act for them as required during short-term absences, including weekend and off-duty leave. Facilitate coordination, cooperation, and liaison across healthcare settings, strengthen the interface between different care locations, and develop the concept of collaborative care planning in conjunction with other professionals. Together with colleagues who have similar appointments in General Medicine, initiate a leadership role in shaping hospital policy concerning the management of patients, best practice and accreditation. To supervise and be responsible for diagnosis, treatment and care provided by non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs) treating patients under the Consultants care To support the implementation of standards that provide safe, quality care, timely diagnosis, and focused treatment in line with prescribed treatment protocols and international best practices. Education Register as an RCPI trainer and be allocated specialist trainees by the RCPI GIM BST and HST programmes Supervision of audits and research carried out by GIM SpRs/registrars and SHOs Participation in the education and training of AMU and AMAU staff, medical, nursing and other health care professionals Participation in education sessions for NCHDs, nurses, allied health professionals and undergraduate students Participation in ongoing CPD programs Research and audit Performance of appropriate research in line with best research practices Participation in clinical audit within the department, the wider hospital and nationally as applicable On-Call commitments The successful candidate will be rostered according to departmental schedules and on-call rosters in accordance with contractual obligations. Consultants are required to submit a detailed practice plan outlining a weekly commitment to the department. This will be used to create a template for the weekly schedule and allow for the monitoring of duties. The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved andconsequently, the post holder may be requiredto perform other duties as appropriate to thepost which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the developmentof the post while in office.This document must be regarded as an outline of the major areas ofaccountability at the present time, which will be reviewed and assessed on an on-going basis. SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE Clinical Care: To demonstrate the ability to provide a level of clinical care required by this post according to the standards and requirements set by statutory and regulatory bodies, e.g. RCSI, RCPI, Medical Council, etc. Communication: To illustrate a high level of verbal and non-verbal skills in order to effectively communicate with and relate to patients and/or parents/family, colleagues, hospital staff and management. Administration & Management Skills: To demonstrate a satisfactory level of proficiency to enable the appointee to manage his/her staff and service and to be able to interact with and participate in hospital management structures as required. Furthermore, the appointee should demonstrate the ability to lead, supervise and be responsible for the clinical work of his / her multi-professional team. Organisational Awareness: Provide evidence of knowledge and understanding of the structure and governance of this and similar organisations Continuing Education: To demonstrate a proven record of undertaking C.M.E. and C.P.D. Audit: Provide evidence of undertaking and initiating audit and quality projects. An extensive database for Acute Medical Admissions has been developed through the St. James's Hospital AMAU. The database facilitates the auditing of activity in the Unit and the identification of factors influencing the quality of care and outcomes for Acute Medical patients, and it has led to several academic publications from the Department of General and Acute Medicine. The appointee would be expected to have an interest in and prior experience in health services-related research, data management, and audit, which would be valuable in supporting the ongoing research and academic activity of the St James's Hospital Acute Medical Admissions Unit and Department of General Medicine. REPORTING TO: Reports and is accountable to the relevant Executive Medical Director, Clinical Director for Medicine and Departmental Clinical Lead. INFORMAL QUERIES TO : Dr. Nadim Akesheh, Consultant General and Respiratory Physician, AMAU Email : Please see website Prof. Caroline Daly, Clinical Director Med Directorate Email: Please see website Skills: CSCST Registration Research Clinical Skills