HSE Job Specification, Terms and Conditions Expression of Interest

Clinical Lead Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control November 2020 Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Job Title HSE National Clinical Lead for Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control (Health Care Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance (HCAI-AMR) Team Consultant – Office of the Chief Clinical Officer (0.6 – 0.8 WTE / 3-4 days per week)

Reassignment is grade to grade and current remuneration applies Location of Post This is an appointment to the Office of the Chief Clinical Officer (CCO), Health Service Executive.

The successful candidate will maintain their existing base/location of work and will be expected to be available for Dublin based meetings as required.

Closing Date Friday, 18th December 2020 at 12 noon

Informal Enquires Informal enquiries should be directed to:

Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer Email: [email protected]

Shirley Keane, Programme Manager, AMRIC Email: [email protected]

Taking up The successful candidate will be expected to take up post as soon as possible after Appointment selection but no later than two months after post offer.

Details of Service Office of the Chief Clinical Officer

The Office of the Chief Clinical Officer was established as part of an overall investment by the HSE to strengthen governance and accountability for the planning and delivery of high quality services with the aim of driving transformational change across our healthcare system through clinical leadership, design of new models of care, promotion of culture of safety and quality improvement and through patient and service user involvement.

The Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) is responsible for ensuring clinical leadership, encompassing medical, nursing, midwifery and health and social care professions, at the most senior level of the organisation and will work closely with National Directors and with other Clinical Leads and with senior leaders within Community Healthcare Organisations and Hospital Groups to secure sustainable improvements in patient and service user outcomes, safety and experience. Together with the Chief Strategy & Planning Officer and Chief Operations Officer, the CCO seeks to

1 strengthen clinical leadership in the health services to drive essential transformation and support the system to transition from a hospital centric model towards a community and primary care based service.

Healthcare associated infection and antimicrobial resistance are dynamic areas with rapidly changing biology, epidemiology and technologies that impact on service prioritization. The team needs to be flexible to respond to changing circumstances as reflected in the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control (AMRIC) Team is a multidisciplinary team that provides specialist clinical advice, scientific advice, education and training, administrative and operational support for the Office of the CCO on implementing the HSE’s programme for the control of antimicrobial resistance and healthcare associated infection.

. The team includes a General Manager, a Grade 4 administrative officer, a nursing group led by a Director of Nursing, an antimicrobial pharmacy group led by a Chief Pharmacist, surveillance scientists, a public health doctor, a general practitioner and a Communications Manager. Other positions are currently approved and being recruited. . The AMRIC team provides clinical advice related to antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention and control as requested - to the CCO, to HSE National Directors and to other HSE national service leads. The team performs site visits in association with the relevant national operational divisions at the request of the CCO or on the initiative of the Clinical Lead. . The team works closely with the Health Protection Surveillance Centre to support its role in surveillance of antimicrobial consumption, antimicrobial resistance and healthcare associated infection. . The team also develops guidance documents and provides education and training and public communication supports. It reviews performance data in association with relevant operational divisions and prepares reports for the CCO. . The team also engages with key external stakeholders including the Department of Health, DPER, HIQA, the Faculty of Pathology of the Royal College of Physicians, the Irish Society of Clinical Microbiologists, the Infectious Disease Society of Ireland, Infection Prevention and Control Ireland and the European Centre for Disease Control on behalf of the HSE in relation to antimicrobial resistance and infection control. . The Clinical Lead is responsible for providing leadership and direction for the team. Members of the team report to the Clinical Lead. . The Clinical Lead with the AMRIC Programme Manager manages the funding stream dedicated to the ARMIC programme. . The work of the Clinical Lead encompasses developing and articulating a clear vision for the HSE with respect to antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention and control.

Scope and The role will involve: Purpose of Post  Providing clinical leadership and expertise for antimicrobial resistance and infection control by overseeing the work of AMRIC Team and collaborating amongst clinical and operational colleagues and other relevant stakeholders.  Support implementation of Irelands National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (iNAP) and subsequent national plans and strategies in this domain by working to improve surveillance and control of healthcare associated infection, antimicrobial consumption and antimicrobial resistance in Ireland.

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Reporting The post holder will report to the Chief Clinical Officer Arrangements

Organisational Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control (AMRIC) Team, Office of the Chief Area Clinical Officer

Key Working Foster close working relationships developed with key stakeholders, including HSE Relationships services, clinical programmes, colleges and patient advocacy groups.

Principal Duties Principal Duties & Responsibilities and  Act as AMRIC Clinical Lead to provide national vision, leadership, and Responsibilities clinical guidance and expertise in relation to infection prevention and control, antimicrobial stewardship and antimicrobial resistance in the community and hospital as part of a multidisciplinary team.  Lead and work with the multidisciplinary AMRIC team to agree plans and implement plans to ensure an integrated national response to IPC and AMR.  Work closely with the Hospital Groups / Community Health Organisations who will be responsible for the implementation of HCAI/AMR actions within their service areas.  Support implementation of Irelands National Action Plan(s) for Antimicrobial Resistance (iNAP) and the HSE AMRIC Implementation Plan(s) and associated plans  Work with the CCO and AMRIC Oversight Group to guide HCAI/AMR in developing and agreeing implementing strategies, plans and conducting change impact assessments  Chair the AMRIC Implementation Team and convene and chair relevant committees as required and ensure that they operate effectively.  Contribute to education and training and raising public awareness in relation to infection prevention and control and antimicrobial resistance.  Keep up to date with research and best practice in relation to infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship including effective approaches to implementation. Research and review literature to provide expert guidance in view of changing clinical practice for IPC and AMS.  Advocate for and support improved infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship both within the HSE and with other stakeholders including the Department of Health.  Promoting infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship throughout the healthcare system.  Promote the concept of One Health with particular reference to infection control and antimicrobial resistance.  Provide clinical advice and expertise where relevant in relation to commissioning of health and social care services relevant to HCAI/AMR  Act as a spokesperson for the HCAI/AMR for the HSE (e.g. with the media, professional groups and other relevant fora) when requested to do so  Engage with patient groups to ensure the voice of the patient is considered in the development and implementation of HCAI/AMR plans  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  Working knowledge of national policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines

3 as relevant to the role including relevant HPSC guidelines and NCEC guidelines  Support the development, monitoring, implementation and update of standards and guidelines, including HPSC guidelines and NCEC guidelines, as relevant to the role.  Co-design national protocols, guidelines and standardised care processes through engagement with acute hospitals and community services and other internal and external stakeholders.  Support establishment, monitoring and reporting of HCAI-AMR related KPIs for acute and community services.  Clinical leadership for IPC pandemic response.  Additional responsibilities may arise during the course of the work

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.

Eligibility Criteria All staff of the HSE, other statutory health agencies, the Department of Health and Qualifications bodies which provide services on the behalf of the HSE under Section 38 of the and/ or experience Health Act 2004 employed as a registered Medical Practitioner currently employed at Consultant or Clinical Director level with a minimum of 5 years’ experience as a Consultant in an Acute or Community setting who are working within the specialty of Microbiology or Infectious Diseases are eligible to apply.

Applicants must be registered with the Medical Council of Ireland on the specialist division of the register.

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

Character Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character

Age Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation 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 application forms for the office occurs.

Skills, Clinical Expertise competencies Substantial clinical expertise within the area of Microbiology or Infectious Disease and/or knowledge services.

Leadership and Direction Demonstrates:  An understanding of Project Management technologies, Health Informatics and Standard setting.  Credibility and ability to command respect as a recognised clinical leader

4 within the clinical community with a good understanding of the reform programme and its requirements of clinical leaders.  Experience of providing significant senior clinician input to operational decision making.  A track record as an effective leader who has developed effective teams and driven and delivered sustainable change programmes to transform clinical services.  A capacity to operate successfully in a challenging environment.  A commitment to and focus on quality and promoting high standards to improve patient outcomes, by consistently putting service users and clinicians at the heart of decision making and involving patients and the public in their work.

Results focused with critical analysis and decision making Demonstrates:  Strong personal emphasis on achieving high standards of excellence and willingness to take personal responsibility to initiate activities and drive objectives through to a conclusion.  Ability to rapidly assimilate and analyse complex information, make timely decisions and take ownership of those decisions and their implications.  Capacity to anticipate problems and to recognise when to involve other parties at the appropriate time and level.  Uses evidence to make improvements and seeks out innovations.

Working with and through others Demonstrates:  An ability to influence and negotiate effectively in furthering the objectives of the role.  An ability to build excellent collaborative networks and a track record of building and maintaining key internal and external relationships in furtherance of organisational goals.  Highly developed communication skills which include an ability to convey clinical priorities and complex messages to colleagues, various stakeholders, media and interest groups.

Specific Selection Applications should be made by CV, together with a brief statement clearly Process indicating your relevant experience by email to [email protected] stating “0.6- 0.8 WTE Lead Clinical Lead for Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control” in the subject matter.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, 18th December 2020 at 12 noon. Appointment will be on the basis of a skills match meeting with senior management. Initial screening may apply based on information provided in CV.

Short listing may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application. The criteria for shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore, it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.

Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.

Those successful at the shortlisting stage of this process (where applied) will be

5 called forward to a meeting with the selection panel. Other Access to transport will be required as post will involve travel. Requirements Specific to the Post The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed. This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned. Tenure 3 to 4 days per week (0.6 – 0.8 WTE). The appointment is for an initial period of 2 years. The person appointed will have a continued clinical practice commitment of 1 to 2 days per week.

The initial commitment for this post will be to Office of the CCO for 24-30 hours per week and balance of hours clinical commitment.

This post may be subject to restructuring in the future to facilitate the reorganization of acute services in line with new clinical models of acute and community services. It is noted that the post must be congruent with the requirements of, and facilitate implementation of, the HSE’s National Clinical Programmes including commitment to deliver the relevant performance outcomes. This is a replacement post for the existing Clinical Lead.

Terms and Current terms and conditions of employment continue to be retained. Conditions

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