Senior Medical Scientist - Near Patient Testing (NPT)
Permanent Contract, Full Time Hours.
Scientific/Professional Responsibilities Include:
* Provide and manage an NPT service throughout the Mercy University Hospital (MUH) campus, which aims to improve patient outcomes through provision of a laboratory medicine service by healthcare professionals using small analytical devices provided near to the patient rather than from a clinical laboratory.
* Development of protocols of all aspects of the NPT service, including the performance of the test, record keeping and interpretation of results, expert laboratory guidance, quality assurance, patient and staff health and safety.
* Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the values of the profession of Medical Science.
* Participate in implementing a service that supports the clinical needs of patients and is consistent with the mission, vision, values, and strategic plan of MUH.
* Evaluation of NPT equipment and consumable items.
* Perform independent verification to provide objective evidence that the NPT device/instrument and/or in vitro diagnostic device (IVD) for NPT used is fit for purpose.
* Participate in on-going monitoring to verify accuracy and comparability of NPT results to those of the central laboratory.
* Facilitate arrangements for education and training of NPT system operators.
* Implement a mandatory staff training and competency programme for NPT.
* Manage the registration, custody and stock levels of NPT reagents and other materials held relating to NPT.
* Ensure that procedures are carried out in compliance with national and international guidelines and actively participate in internal and external quality control and quality assurance.
* Ensure accreditation standards around ISO15189 are met for NPT, with full accreditation for NPT as the goal, to minimise risk and ensure optimal patient safety.
* Be responsible for the development, coordination, and implementation of quality processes through all NPT activities and the associated documentation to fulfil ISO15189 accreditation.
* Evaluate new or alternative NPT instruments and systems.
* Evaluate end-user proposals and protocols for NPT, working with the NPT Committee.
* Oversee the purchase, installation and maintenance of NPT equipment, working with the Procurement Department.
* Be able to work to tight deadlines and re-prioritise work proactively as required.
* Identify and resolve system failures and anomalies. Report and record all anomalies, near misses and non-conformances.
* Observe strict confidentiality when dealing with all aspects of patient or hospital information.
* Develop and maintain a system for training, certification and recertification of laboratory/NPT system operators.
* Maintain and monitor quality control and quality assurance for NPT.
* Oversee IT connectivity and interface management for NPT, through middleware and the Laboratory Information System (LIS) as appropriate.
* Participate in the multidisciplinary NPT committee with responsibility to develop and oversee hospital-wide NPT policies.
* Receive and record details concerning mishaps, complaints and defects in NPT supplies and equipment, investigate the circumstances and take the necessary actions and report the findings as required.
* Participate in writing/reviewing and updating of laboratory documentation as required.
* Participate in MUH and/or external committees as required.
* Ensure appropriate compliance with international and national guidelines and standards for the provision of NPT services.
* Participate in the provision of appropriate statistical and management information to improve the NPT service.
* Make the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for both patient care and administrative support in a manner which integrates well with systems throughout MUH campus.
* Undertake suitable training and development programmes as required and maintain the required standards of competency when undertaking duties.
* Cooperate with Consultants, Laboratory Manager and Chief Medical Scientists in proactively managing change and service development.
* Design, collate and manage the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for NPT.
* Participate in Pathology and hospital meetings as required, particularly in relation to assessment of performance and development of the NPT service and organisational changes.
* Participate in internal and external audits, as required.
* Facilitate the development of a culture of continuous quality improvement for NPT services.
* Be familiar with and implement the Major Emergency Plan when required.
* Train and ensure competence of staff to carry out procedures relevant to NPT.
* Promote a culture of quality through continuous development of self.
* Facilitate open communication about NPT services and activities within the Pathology Department and to other hospital and service users.
* Participate fully as a member of the Pathology team, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues in any NPT activities, as required.
* Participate in laboratory meetings particularly in relation to assessment of performance, development of the service and organisational changes. Contribute to effective communication within the department.
* Participate with the Laboratory Manager in staff performance appraisals.
* Assist in costing activities as appropriate to the role.
* Participate in the provision of appropriate statistical and management information.
* Make the most effective use of information technology for both patient care and administrative support.
* Represent the NPT department at meetings and conferences as designated.
* Co-operate fully with the implementation of new procedures, technologies, and IT systems.
Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc - Candidates for appointment must:
* Be registered, or be eligible for registration, on the Medical Scientists Register maintained by the Medical Scientists Registration Board at CORU. Candidates must provide proof of CORU Statutory Registration before a contract of employment can be issued. On appointment, practitioners must maintain this annual registration at CORU.
* Possess four years full time clinical experience (or an aggregate of four years full time clinical experience) as a Medical Scientist in a clinical diagnostic laboratory since qualifying as a medical scientist.
* Demonstrate evidence of Continuous Professional Development.
Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
Candidates must possess one of the following NFQ Level 9 post graduate qualifications or equivalent qualification at minimum Level 9 validated by the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine:
* MSc Clinical Laboratory Science, Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)
* MSc Clinical Laboratory Science, Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin)
* MSc Clinical Chemistry, University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)
* MSc Biomedical Science, University of Ulster (UU)
* MSc Biomedical Science, Cork Institute of Technology (CIT/MTU)/University College Cork (UCC)
* MSc Biomedical Science, Munster Technological University (MTU)/University College Cork (UCC)
* MSc Molecular Pathology, Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)/University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD), OR
* An equivalent qualification at minimum Level 9 validated by the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine (ACSLM), OR
* A Fellowship of the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine awarded before July 2018, OR
Have attained the Fellowship examination of the Institute of Biomedical Science (Awarded prior to
Full Job Spec is available on request.
Closing Date: 1pm on Thursday, 27 November 2025.
MUH reserves the right to create a panel for this post from which permanent, fixed term and specified purpose vacancies of a full or part time duration may be filled.
Successful candidates may be required to work in any service area in the Mercy University Hospital campus, as the need requires.
Mercy University Hospital (MUH)
MUH is a growing voluntary hospital in the heart of Cork City. We have over 1,500 staff providing complex diagnostic, medical and surgical care through our inpatient, day patient, outpatient and emergency services.
We are a teaching hospital, a centre of national and international excellence, and are renowned for our research and tertiary services.
Providing 24/7 acute surgical, acute medical and critical care, MUH now has multiple sites across the city and continues to expand. We recently opened our Blarney Rehabilitation Unit, a post-acute care specialist rehabilitation unit with 50 beds in Blarney, County Cork.
We support staff development with approx. 100 promotions annually. We prioritise work life balance with 28% of our team working part time hours. We offer nationally agreed enhanced Salary Scales, Pension Scheme, excellent holidays, canteen, and Study Leave and Assistance.
From Cardiac Care to Intensive Care, our varied specialist services offer real career choice to our team. We live by our Core Values of Compassion, Excellence, Justice, Respect and Team Spirit.