Senior Physiotherapist Centre of Obesity Management

FISITEIRPEOIR SINSEARACH/SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST (Centre of Obesity)

Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Job Title Grade Code

Senior Physiotherapist/Fisiteirpeoir Sinsearach in the national Centre for Obesity Management

(Grade Code: 3158)

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post is: 01/08/2025

75254

New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service Local Authorities Health Service and other Public Service Bodies and Statutory Agencies.

Campaign Reference

SCH/093/2025 - CVs not accepted please upload the application form

Closing Date

Monday 24th November 2025 @17:00hrs

Proposed Interview Date (s)

Candidates will normally be given at least One weeks notice of interview. The timescale may be reduced in exceptional circumstances.

Taking up Appointment

A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.

Location of Post

HSE Dublin and South East - St Columcilles Hospital Loughlinstown Co Dublin D18 V9K1

FSS Bhaile Átha Cliath agus an Oirdheiscirt - Ospidéal Cholm Cille Baile Uí Lachnáin Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath D18 V9K1

There is currently 1 permanent whole-time vacancy available in St Columcilles Hospital.

A panel may be formed as a result of this campaign for Senior Physiotherapist from which current and future permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part-time duration in that speciality may be filled.

Informal Enquiries

We welcome enquiries about the role.

Please Contact

Ms. Suzanne Noёl

Physiotherapy Manager

St. Columcilles Hospital

Loughlinstown Co. Dublin.

Tel:

Email:

Details of Service

HSE Dublin and South East Region provides health and social care services in Carlow

Kilkenny South East Dublin South Tipperary Waterford Wexford and East Wicklow.

Community Healthcare Services are the broad range of services in a non-acute hospital

setting delivered as close as possible to peoples homes at the right time in the right

Place by the right team.

There are 70 Primary Care Centres in the Region and specialist teams working in Mental

Health Health and Wellbeing Social Care and Disability Services. Services are provided in various settings including the service users own home day hospitals community nursing units hostels specialist day care centres training centres respite care and residential services. The region is served by 11 hospitals and the services delivered include inpatient scheduled care unscheduled/emergency care maternity services outpatient and diagnostic services.

St. Columcilles Hospital is committed to providing a quality patient focused service in a way that meets all patient needs in an equitable efficient and safe manner. We acknowledge the contribution of each member of staff and aim to encourage and support them in their on-going professional development.

The hospital has a total of 113 inpatient beds along with specialized units including:

4 beds dedicated to the Centre of Obesity Management programme

A 7-bed Day Surgical Unit

A 9-bed Medical Assessment Unit and

A 6-bed Local Injuries Unit.

Services provided at SCH are:

MAU/LIU

Radiology

General Medicine including Gastroenterology Gerontology

Respiratory Medicine Endocrinology and Cardiology

General Surgery

Out-Patient Services

National Centr for Obesity Management

Pain Management Services

The Hospital also provides Nutrition and Dietetics Physiotherapy Occupational Therapy

Speech & Language Therapy Cardiac Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Services.

The Centre of Obesity Service is a national service consisting of a combined Level 3 (medical) and Level 4 (surgical) service which accepts referrals for individuals with complex obesity. A comprehensive programme of care is delivered to approximately 800 patients annually which includes out-patient based structured behavioural interventions incorporating diet and exercise and medications supervised in-patient medical rehab and management programmes and bariatric surgery

The service is supported by a wide MDT of registered dietitians chartered physiotherapists clinical psychologists clinical nurse specialists endocrinologists bariatric surgeons and administrative staff.

The person appointed to this post will: -

Work as a 1 WTE Senior Physiotherapist in the SCH to: -

Provide senior level decision making ensuring Best Practice Physiotherapy for the management of clients that attend the National Centre of Obesity .

Provide physiotherapy assessment treatment discharge planning and onward appropriate referrals for clients attending our busy Obesity Physiotherapy Service both the inpatient service and the outpatient service to ensure clients are signposted to the right pathways

Liaise and coordinate with the other national centres and be a knowledge source to health services in the region

Supervision of a staff grade working on the wards

Reporting Relationship

The post holder will report to the Physiotherapy Manager at St. Columcilles Hospital. The professional reporting relationship for clinical governance will be through the professional line management structure in the SCH

Clinical Supervision will be from the 1 of the 2 Clinical specialist Physiotherapists in the service and Supervision/PDP/Clinical Governance from Line Manager Physiotherapy Manager

Provide Supervision of a staff grade

Purpose of the Post

To provide a high-level quality of professional practice clinical leadership educational and professional development of Obesity Management Services at St. Columcilles Hospital.

To work within the Consultant-led MDT and lead on the continuous improvement of agreed aspects of evolving service provision including change processes within service planning clinical service delivery Triage and service audit all in line with the objectives of the organisation

To assist the clinical specialists in acting as a resource and providing education and guidance locally and nationally to other health care professionals and services regarding the evidence-based care of people living with obesity (PwO).

To advocate for clients to promote improvements in patient experience and outcome via involvement with professional organisations and media.

To assist the Clinical Specialists participate in research in the area of obesity to promote improved understanding of the clinical management of the disease of obesity.

To undertake direct work with this client group in line with EBP

To carry out clinical and educational duties as required ie to carry out clinical supervision of the staff grade physiotherapists who provide cover for the service and education of colleagues in all aspects of weight management.

We are a tutor site for TCD and UCD students so the post holder will be responsible (along with the clinical specialists) for the supervision of UCD and TCD Students while on placement here in the Obesity management service in SCH

To assist the Clinical specialists analyse and submit accurate metric stats and KPIs and for their research for the Obesity management service

Please refer to the Details of Service section above

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Professional / Clinical

The Senior Physiotherapist will:

Communicate and work in co-operation with the SCH staff in providing an integrated quality physiotherapy service taking a lead role if required

Be a lead clinician in assigned allocated clinical areas of responsibility and carry a clinical caseload appropriate to the post

Assist the clinical specialist and take a lead role when required in service set up and development as relevant to the role

Be responsible for client assessment development and implementation of individualised treatment plans that are client centred and in line with best practice

Be responsible for goal setting in partnership with client family and other team members as appropriate

Be required to work as a key worker for particular cases

Be responsible for standards of professional and clinical practice of self and staff appointed to clinical / designated area(s) in line with the Scope of Practice of Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists and national regional and local Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines policies protocols and legislation

Be a clinical resource in obesity management for SCH staff

Assist the clinical specialists to plan and manage resources efficiently in assigned areas of responsibility

Communicate effectively with and provide instruction guidance and support to staff clients family carers etc

Document client records in accordance with professional standards and SCH policies

Apply health promotion as an ethos across the clinical area to promote health and wellbeing

Participate and be a lead clinician as appropriate in review meetings case conferences etc.

Develop and promote professional standards of practice

Work within own scope of professional competence in line with principles of best practice professional conduct and clinical governance

Seek advice of relevant personnel when appropriate / as required

Operate within the scope of practice of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists

Education & Training

The Senior Physiotherapist will:

Participate in mandatory training as per SCH/HSE guidelines

Take responsibility for and keep up to date with Physiotherapy practice by participating in continuing professional development such as reflective practice in service self-directed learning research clinical audit etc.

Take part in teaching / training of SCH staff as necessary

Engage in personal development planning and performance review for self and others as required

The person can avail of support from the 2 clinical Specialists

Quality Safety & Risk

The Senior Physiotherapist will:

Be responsible for assisting the clinical specialists in the set-up co-ordination and delivery of a quality service in line with best practice and professional standards

Help develop and monitor implementation of agreed policies procedures and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation regulations and standards

Ensure the safety of self and others and the maintenance of safe environments and equipment used in Physiotherapy in accordance with legislation

Assess and manage risk in their assigned area(s) of responsibility

Take the appropriate timely action to manage any incidents or near misses within their assigned area(s)

Report any deficiency/danger in any aspect of the service to the team or line Manager as appropriate

Be responsible for the safe and competent use of all equipment aids and appliances both by clients and staff under their supervision

Develop and promote quality standards of work and co-operate with quality assurance programmes

Oversee monitor and uphold the standards of professional practice within the weight management service Physiotherapy team

Administrative

The Senior Physiotherapist will:

Contribute to the service planning process

Assist SCH and relevant others in service development encompassing policy development and implementation

Assist the clinical Specialists in the Set up and then Review and evaluation of the Physiotherapy service regularly identifying changing needs and opportunities to improve services

Collect and evaluate data about the service area as identified in service plans and demonstrate the achievement of the objectives of the service

Ensure accurate records are kept in line with best practice

Collate and maintain accurate statistics and render reports as required

Represent the team at meetings and conferences as appropriate

Inform the line manager of staff issues (needs interests views) as appropriate

Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace

Participate in the control and ordering of Physiotherapy stock and equipment in conjunction with the Physiotherapy/SCH staff

Assist with the accountability for the budget where relevant

Keep up to date with organisational developments within all relevant related services

Engage in IT developments as they apply to clients and service administration

Perform such other duties appropriate to the role

The above Job Specification 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

Qualifications and/ or experience

Candidates for appointment must:-

(i) Hold a Physiotherapy qualification recognised by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU. Please see list of acceptable Physiotherapy qualifications:- Be registered on the Physiotherapist Register maintained by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU

AND

(iii) Candidates must have three years fulltime (or an aggregate of three years fulltime) post qualification clinical experience

AND

(iv) Have the requisite knowledge and ability in the area of older persons (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office

2. Annual Registration

On appointment practitioners must maintain annual registration on Physiotherapists Register maintained by the Physiotherapists Register maintained by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU

3. Practitioners must confirm annual registration with CORU to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC)

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.

Post Specific Requirements

The candidate must have evidence of training/experience in the following:-

Demonstrate sufficient recent clinical experience in the physiotherapy management of patients with obesity as relevant to the role.

Demonstrate evidence of sufficient experience in the treating PwO and CPD in the area of physiotherapy management of patients with obesity including motivational interviewing / behavioural change

have sufficient respiratory skills to partake in the weekend respiratory/on-call Service

Skills competencies and/or knowledge

Demonstrate a high level of clinical knowledge and evidence-based practice to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role

Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge to best practice

Demonstrate the ability to effectively evaluate information and make appropriate decisions

Demonstrate the ability to plan and deliver care in an effective and resourceful manner within a model of person-centred care

Demonstrate an ability to manage and develop self and others in a busy working environment

Demonstrate a commitment to assuring high standards and strive for a user centred service in line with best practice and professional standards

Display effective communication and strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships and be an effective and leading multi-disciplinary team member

Demonstrate the ability to lead and manage a team effectively

Display awareness and appreciation of the service users and the ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect

Demonstrate initiative flexibility and openness to change

Demonstrate ability to utilise supervision effectively

Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development

Demonstrate sufficient command of the English language (verbal and written) to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role

Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role

Campaign Specific Selection Process

Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview

A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or 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 progressing to the next stage of the selection process.

Those successful at the ranking stage of this process where applied will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in bands depending on the service needs of the organisation.

Diversity Equality and Inclusion

The HSE is an equal opportunities employer.

Employees of the HSE bring a range of skills talents diverse thinking and experience to the organisation. The HSE believes passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to its success we aim to develop the workforce of the HSE so that it reflects the diversity of HSE service users and to strengthen it through accommodating and valuing different perspectives. Ultimately this will result in improved service user and employee experience.

The HSE is committed to creating a positive working environment whereby all employees inclusive of age civil status disability ethnicity and race family status gender membership of the Traveller community religion and sexual orientation are respected valued and can reach their full potential. The HSE aims to achieve this through development of an organisational culture where injustice bias and discrimination are not tolerated.

The HSE welcomes people with diverse backgrounds and offers a range of supports and resources to staff such as those who require a reasonable accommodation at work because of a disability or long-term health condition.

Read more about the HSEs commitment to Diversity Equality and Inclusion

Code of Practice

The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA).

The CPSA is responsible for establishing the principles to be followed when making an appointment. These are set out in the CPSA Code of Practice. The Code outlines the standards to be adhered to at each stage of the selection process and sets out the review and appeal mechanisms open to candidates should they be unhappy with a selection process.

Read the CPSA Code of Practice.

The reform programme outlined for the health services may impact on this role and as structures change the Job Specification may be reviewed.

This Job Specification 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.

SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Tenure

The current vacancy available is permanent and whole time.

The post is pensionable. A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at expression of interest stage.

Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 and Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Amendment Act 2013.

Working Week

The standard weekly working hours of attendance for your grade are 35 hours per week. Your normal weekly working hours are 35 hours. Contracted hours that are less than the standard weekly working hours for your grade will be paid pro rata to the full time equivalent.

Annual Leave

The annual leave associated with the post will be confirmed at Contracting stage.

Superannuation

This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st December 2004

Age

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018* set 70 years as the compulsory retirement age for public servants.

* Public Servants not affected by this legislation:

Public servants joining the public service or re-joining the public service with a 26 week break in service between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 (new entrants) have no compulsory retirement age.

Public servants joining the public service or re-joining the public service after a 26 week break after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Pension Scheme and have a compulsory retirement age of 70.

Probation

Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.

Protection of Children Guidance and Legislation

The welfare and protection of children is the responsibility of all HSE staff. You must be aware of and understand your specific responsibilities under the Children First Act 2015 the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 in accordance with Section 2 Children First National Guidance and other relevant child safeguarding legislation and policies.

Some staff have additional responsibilities such as Line Managers Designated Officers and Mandated Persons. You should check if you are a Designated Officer and / or a Mandated Person and be familiar with the related roles and legal responsibilities.

Visit HSE Children First for further information guidance and resources.

Infection Control

Have a working knowledge of 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.

Health & Safety

It is the responsibility of line managers to ensure that the management of safety health and welfare is successfully integrated into all activities undertaken within their area of responsibility so far as is reasonably practicable. Line managers are named and roles and responsibilities detailed in the relevant Site Specific Safety Statement (SSSS).

Key responsibilities include:

Developing a SSSS for the department/service as applicable based on the identification of hazards and the assessment of risks and reviewing/updating same on a regular basis (at least annually) and in the event of any significant change in the work activity or place of work.

Ensuring that Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is integrated into day-to-day business providing Systems Of Work (SOW) that are planned organised performed maintained and revised as appropriate and ensuring that all safety related records are maintained and available for inspection.

Consulting and communicating with staff and safety representatives on OSH matters.

Ensuring a training needs assessment (TNA) is undertaken for employees facilitating their attendance at statutory OSH training and ensuring records are maintained for each employee.

Ensuring that all incidents occurring within the relevant department/service are appropriately managed and investigated in accordance with HSE procedures.

Seeking advice from health and safety professionals through the National Health and Safety Function Helpdesk as appropriate.

Reviewing the health and safety performance of the ward/department/service and staff through respectively local audit and performance achievement meetings for example.

Note: Detailed roles and responsibilities of Line Managers are outlined in local SSSS.

Required Experience:

Senior IC