Clinical Lead National Clinical Programme for Acute Medicine

RCPI group; Dublin; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading medical college in Ireland seeks a Clinical Lead for the National Clinical Programme for Acute Medicine. This role involves providing clinical leadership, developing care pathways, and working with stakeholders to improve patient care in acute medicine. The position is based on reassignment/secondment and will be for a fixed 2-year duration. Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong leadership and a solid understanding of acute medicine principles.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and clinical expertise.
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders.
• Understanding of acute medicine principles.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and guidance.
• Develop and implement best practice care pathways.
• Evaluate and advise on future design for Acute Medicine.

Job description

Clinical Lead National Clinical Programme for Acute Medicine

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) Dublin 2, Ireland Education

Position

Job Title and Grade: Clinical Lead (Ceannaire Cliniciúil) National Clinical Programme for Acute Medicine

This appointment will be on the basis of grade-to-grade reassignment/secondment and current remuneration will apply.

Terms and Conditions

The successful candidate will retain all current terms and conditions (including remuneration and annual leave) on reassignment/secondment into the role. The standard working week associated with this post is 0.4 WTE per week, Monday to Friday. (Specific working days to be agreed on appointment). Clinical Practice will be facilitated.

Closing Date Monday 13 October 2025 at 12 noon

Proposed Interview date(s) Skills-match interviews will take place after the shortlisting process is completed. Please note: this may be at short notice.

Taking up Appointment: The successful candidate will be expected to take up post as soon as possible after the completion of the selection process but no later than two months after the post has been offered.

Location of Post: The successful candidate will maintain their existing base/location of work and will be expected to be available for meetings as required at other locations.

Organisational Area: Office of National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead (NCAGL) Acutes, Clinical Design and Innovation, Office of the Chief Clinical Officer

Informal Enquiries: Please refer to: Dr. Michael O’Connor, National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead (NCAGL) Acutes, Office of NCAGL Acutes, Clinical Design and Innovation | Office of the Chief Clinical Officer, Email: [e-mail]

Or

Elaine Brown Portfolio Manager Office of NCAGL Acutes, Clinical Design and Innovation | Office of the Chief Clinical Officer E-mail: [e-mail]

Details of Service

Clinical Design and Innovation | Office of the Chief Clinical Officer

The Office of the Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) 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 a culture of safety and quality improvements; through patient and service user involvement. The Clinical Design and Innovation (CDI) function, reporting to the National Clinical Director of Integrated Care, within the Office of the CCO provides Clinical Innovation, Design Leadership and Direction to strategic decisions across the wider organisation.

The core role of the Office of the NCAGL in Acutes is to provide clinical leadership and guidance to effect the development and implementation of best practice care pathways and models of care and a coordinated approach to integrated, patient-centred care that is sustainable into the future.

Details of the Programme

The Acute Medicine Programme was established in 2010 to standardise and improve the management of acutely ill medical patients throughout the Irish Healthcare system. It operates under the National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead (NCAGL).

To facilitate the immediate medical assessment, diagnosis and treatment of acutely unwell medical patients by introducing alternative pathways for a wide range of medical conditions other than the emergency department.

To ensure that all acute medical patients have a better patient experience with improved communication receiving safe, quality care with timely diagnosis and the correct treatment delivered in an appropriate environment.

The key objectives of the programme are

• to improve the quality and safety of patient care
• increasing access to timely diagnostic tests and eliminate trolley waits for medical patients
• reduce cost and increase value by promoting an ambulatory model of care and shorten average length of stay for admitted patients
• To develop the programme in line with Sláintecare principles.

To achieve these aims and objectives the National Clinical Programme develops an annual Programme Plan which is delivered by the Clinical Lead, Programme Manager and a multi-disciplinary team assisted by Working Groups. Clinical guidance is provided by respective Clinical Advisory Groups which is housed within the Royal College of Physicians Ireland.

Reporting Relationship(s)

The successful post holder will report to the NCAGL Office for Acutes. The Clinical Lead should keep the programme’s Clinical Advisory Group (CAG) abreast of their programme of work and progress of this work at regular intervals and no less than a quarterly basis.

Liaise with General Manager, Clinical Design & Innovation relating to the management and operation of the reassignment / secondment.

Key Working Relationships: The proper execution of duties will involve the development of appropriate communication arrangements with key stakeholders, both internal and external. These include, but are not limited to:

• National Clinical Director, Integrated Care and team
• HSE National Directors, National Clinical Advisor and Group Leads, Hospital CEOs, REOs, Clinical Directors, Consultants, GPs, Directors of Nursing, HSCPs HSE National Services, Department of Health, postgraduate training bodies and professional representative groups
• National Clinical Programme Leads: the appropriate Programme Managers & HSCP Leads, Nurse Leads as well as Management within designated NCAGL office
• The post holder will work to build relationships across hospital and community with all key stakeholders

Purpose of the Post

The successful post holder will work with the key stakeholders will provide leadership and director to plan and deliver the required outputs to realise assigned strategic priorities, while ensuring the patient voice is included in their work.

A key priority for the programme will be to evaluate and advise on the design for the future of Acute Medicine in Ireland to include:

• Increase growth through Acute Medical Units (Acute Medical Pathway) by 10% with direct GP referrals and integration with community healthcare Hubs.
• Continue implementing and operationalising of the acute medicine MoC including supporting RHAs in development of acute medical pathways and new ways of working
• Continue to support the National Ambulance Service for direct transfers to assessment units
• Review/ advise on addressing the disparity between Model 3 and Model 4 hospitals
• Model 3 hospital resilience & productivity
• Develop/ support ongoing efforts towards sustainable medicine
• Explore the potential to develop Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) model in Ireland

Current Vacancy will be filled based on reassignment/secondment. It will be for a 2 year fixed duration time period.

Requirements

Please see attachment for further information including Principal Duties and Responsibilities Leadership