Open competition for appointment to the position as:
Accreditation Manager Grade VIII
Permanent 
in the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council
Reference No. 012

 

INFORMATION BOOKLET FOR CANDIDATES

 

Closing Date: 5:00 p.m. Friday 21st February 2025

Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council 2nd Floor, Beech House,
Millennium Park, Osberstown, Naas,
Co. Kildare W91 TK7N
www.phecc.ie

Recruitment of Accreditation Manager
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC)

Job Description

THE POSITION

Title of Position: Accreditation Manager
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council

Duration: Permanent post

Commencement: Immediate Appointment

Office: Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, 2nd Floor, Beech House, Millennium Park, Osberstown, Naas, Co. Kildare. W91 TK7N

Location: Naas, Co. Kildare

Website: www.phecc.ie

INTRODUCTION

Established by the Minister for Health and Children in April 2000, the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (“PHECC”) is an independent statutory body with responsibility for standards, education and training in the field of pre-hospital emergency care in Ireland. PHECC’s mission is to protect the public by independently coordinating, developing, reviewing, regulating, and governing standards of excellence for the safe provision of quality pre-hospital emergency care.

The functions of the Council are set out in the PHECC Establishment Orders (S.I. No. 109/2000).

PHECC invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the post of Accreditation Manager.

Further information about PHECC, including publications and key documents, is available at www.phecc.ie

PHECC sets standards for education and clinical care for pre-hospital emergency care providers. We maintain a register of professionals who meet these standards. We develop evidence based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and operational standards.

PHECC Main Functions

  • To ensure training institutions, course content and examinations in First Response and Emergency Medical Technology reflect contemporary best practice.
  • To ensure pre-hospital emergency care Responders and Practitioners achieve and maintain competency at the appropriate performance standard
  • To prepare and promote the implementation of clinical practice guidelines in pre- hospital emergency care.
  • To source, sponsor and promote relevant research to guide Council in the development of pre- hospital emergency care in Ireland.
  • To prepare standards of operation for pre-hospital emergency care providers to support best practice.
  • To establish and maintain a register of pre-hospital emergency care practitioners.
  • To recognise those pre-hospital emergency care providers which undertake to implement the clinical practice guidelines.

 

The Role

Reporting to the Director of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, the Accreditation Manager will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team.  He/she will provide vision and leadership to the Accreditation team and the wider external stakeholders in the area of accreditation, licensing, quality Improvement and quality assurance.

PHECC operate and manage two accreditation schemes, Governance Validation Framework [GVF] and Quality Review Framework [QRF].

QRF is an accreditation scheme developed to protect the public by ensuring the operation of Recognised Institutions [RI] and Approved Training Institutions [ATI], who are licensed by PHECC to deliver PHECC-approved training and education courses, is maintained at the approved PHECC quality standard.

GVF is an accreditation scheme developed to protect the public by ensuring the operation of Clinical Practice Guidelines [CPG] Service Providers, who are licensed by PHECC to operate PHECC-approved CPGs, is maintained at the approved PHECC quality standard.

These two systems have been developed and operate separately.  Part of the role the Accreditation Manager is to further develop each system and align them into a single accreditation spine encompassing CPG Providers, RI’s and ATI’s.  This will include the development of a digital portfolio and system for the electronic transfer and processing of data.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities of the Role

Accreditation and Quality Assurance

  • Implement the legislation related to Service Providers and RI’s/ATI’s.
  • Benchmark accreditation frameworks against international accreditation standards. 
  • Maintain oversight over the industry and identify relevant issues as they occur and produce reports/solutions for Committees and Council. 
  • Guide and inform organisations in the completion of the self-assessment and continuous quality improvements required in the accreditation process.
  • Further develop GVF and QRF and align them into a single accreditation spine encompassing CPG Providers, RI’s and ATI’s

 

 

 Governance Validation Framework [GVF] for Licensed CPG Provider Organisations

  • Manage the production and development of the Governance Validation Framework systems. 
  • Review and process new applications from service providers. 
  • Review and process renewal submissions from service providers.
  • Introduce new technologies internally and externally to support the department as appropriate. 
  • Management and maintenance of external assessor panels.
  • Develop relationships with relevant external organisations.
 

Quality Review Framework (QRF) for Recognised Institutions and Approved Training Institutions

  • Manage the production and development of the Quality Review Framework systems.  
  • Introduce new technologies internally and externally to support the department as appropriate.  
  • Management and maintenance of external assessor panels. 
  • Develop relationships with relevant external organisations.

General

  • Be a member of the Senior Leadership Team and work closely with other Managers.
  • Act as the Executive lead for the PHECC Quality & Safety Committee.
  • Support the Director of PHECC, with the other members of the Senior Leadership Team, to achieve the organisation’s goals and objectives as detailed in the PHECC Strategy Document.
  • Provide oversight for the PHECC Complaints management system
  • Deputise for the Director and/or Deputy Director as required.
  • Commit to quality standards within PHECC and maintaining the PHECC’s ISO accreditation.
  • Monitor and improve internal Key Performance Indicators (KPI).
  • Produce content for the Annual Report and annual Business Plan.
  • Prepare and present reports to Council and Standing Committee’s of Council as required.
  • Maintain and update the risk management framework for your relevant department.
  • Further develop, maintain and manage Policies and Procedures related to the accreditation department.
  • Manage the budget for the department.
  • Provide leadership to and manage the development of the accreditation team .
  • Undertake any other duties appropriate to the post as requested by the Director

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 by the Executive Director and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. This job description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances. It is not intended to be exhaustive but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which individuals work. The manager may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post, which may be assigned to him/her from time to time.

Key Relationships

  • Executive Director
  • Senior Leadership Team
  • Members of the PHECC Council and Committees
  • The Panels of Assessors
  • The Department of Health – Acute Care Divisions and the Professional Regulatory Unit 
  • Any Professional Body and Unions
  • CPG Providers, RI’s & ATI’s
  • Relevant Patient Advocacy groups

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Criteria   Essential
 Qualifications     Evidence of a minimum NFQ level 8 qualification in a relevant discipline 
 Experience   Minimum of 2 years’ experience in an administrative / regulatory role
  Experienced user of IT programmes (Microsoft Office).
  Experience in managing programmes/projects.
  Experience in report writing.
  Experience working at senior management level.
  Experience working in multidisciplinary teams.
  Demonstratable leadership and interpersonal communication skills.
  Experience with preparation and management of meetings.
  Experience in team management.
 

Desirable Criteria

Desirable   Criteria 
 Qualifications   Holder of a level 9 qualification in a relevant subject.  
 Experience  Experience in Project Management.
 Experience with responder level organisations through teaching and/or operations and/or management.
 Experience with CPG Provider organisations through teaching and/or operations and/or management.
 Engagement with pre-hospital emergency care developments.
 Experienced user of the Microsoft Visio programme.



Core Competencies

Leadership Potential

  • Translates the overall strategic vision and goals and clarifies what is required from their department.
  • Inspires commitment and passion in others to accomplish objectives.
  • Influences others through evidence-based reasoning aligned with strategic priorities.
  • Challenges traditional assumptions and champions new initiatives.
  • Decisive, can make unpopular decisions after consulting major stakeholders.
  • Shows skills at negotiating when managing upwards in the organization.
  • Demonstrates a high level of self-belief and credibility in all interactions.
  • Leads teams/projects adapting leadership style to different situations and/or individuals in order to achieve optimum results.
  • Creates and fosters an environment where people are flexible and open to change.
     

Problem Solving & Decision Making

  • Thinks creatively and laterally in relation to the entire service.
  • Processes diverse information and can make well informed decisions during times of uncertainty.
  • Considers how full scope and impact of decisions affects the service financially.
  • Anticipates issues/opportunities and implements appropriate measures accordingly.
  • Can examine complex information to identify root causes of problems issues.
  • Breaks large problems down into smaller, more manageable sections.
  • When providing solutions, is not restricted by convention.
  • Facilitates groups or teams through problem-solving and creative-thinking processes leading to the development and implementation of new approaches, systems, structures and methods.
 

Teamwork

  • Creates an environment where employees work collaboratively and effectively in a spirit of co- operation and mutual respect to maximise service delivery for service users.
  • Embraces diversity and values a broad range of perspectives.
  • Is inclusive of key stakeholders when making important decisions.
  • Encourages consultation and collaboration across disciplines.
 

Knowledge of the Healthcare and Research Environment

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the Irish healthcare system and in particular the pre-hospital emergency care environment and the Irish education arena.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

  • Takes a strategic approach to communicating across the organization.
  • Creates a culture of open communication to maintain a climate of trust and honesty.
  • Adapts tone and pace of communications to reflect the needs of the individual and/or situation.
  • Opens up communication channels through implementation of systems and process.
  • Establishes and maintains information networks across service.
  • Adopts a range of communication techniques as appropriate to explain complex information.
  • Skillfully mediates conflict situations creating win-win scenarios.
 

Health and Character

Candidates must be in good health, capable and competent of carrying out the work assigned to them, and they must also be of good character. Those under consideration for a position will be required to complete a health and character declaration. References will be sought.

Eligibility to Compete and Certain Restrictions on Eligibility

Candidates should note that eligibility to compete is open to citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union along with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Swiss and British citizens under EU agreements may also apply. To qualify candidates must be citizens of the EEA by the date of any job offer.

Department of Environment, Community & Local Government (Circular Letter LG(P) 06/2013) The Department of Environment, Community & Local Government Circular Letter LG(P) 06/2013 introduced a Voluntary Redundancy Scheme for Local Authorities. In accordance with the terms of the Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants dated 28 June 2012 as detailed above, it is a specific condition of that VER Scheme that persons will not be eligible for re- employment in any Public Service body [as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 – 2011 and the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012] for a period of 2 years from their date of departure under this Scheme. These conditions also apply in the case of engagement/employment on a contract for service basis (either as a contractor or as an employee of a contractor).

Principal Conditions of Service

General
The appointment is on a permanent contract.

Probation Period
The successful applicant must undergo a period of probation subject to the rules of the public sector.

Location
Your initial assignment is to the Council’s Offices on the 2nd Floor, Beech House, Millennium Park, Osberstown, Naas, Co. Kildare. W91 TK7N. You may be required to work in other locations within PHECC to meet service requirements. You may be required to travel in the performance of your duties. Expenses which are necessarily incurred in the performance of your duties will be reimbursed in accordance with the approved public service arrangements. PHECC operates a hybrid working from home arrangement, which the successful candidate can apply to join.



Salary
Candidates should note that salary will not be subject to negotiation and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. New entrants to the public sector will start on point 1. For existing public sector applicants, the starting point will be dependent on previous public sector experience.
The salary for this post is that of a Public Service Officer Grade VIII; (01 October 2024)
€79,847, €80,564, €83,715, €86,878, €90,018, €93,170, €96,305

Payment will be made monthly in arrears by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) into a bank account of the staff member’s choice. Payment cannot be made until a bank account number and bank sort code has been supplied to PHECC. Statutory deductions from salary will be made as appropriate.
The successful candidate appointed as the Accreditation Manager will agree that any overpayment of salary or of travel and subsistence may be deducted from future salary payments due in accordance with the Payment of Wages Act 1991. In accordance with that Act, PHECC will advise the staff member in writing of the amount and details of such overpayment and give at least one week’s notice of the deduction to take place and will deduct the overpayment, at an amount that is fair and reasonable having regard to all the circumstances, within six months of such notice in accordance with the Act.

You will be required to pay to PHECC any fees or other monies (other than salary) payable to or received by you by virtue of your post or in respect of services, which you are required by or under any enactment to perform.

Superannuation and Retirement
The appointee will be offered the appropriate superannuation terms and conditions as prevailing in the Public Service at the time of being offered an appointment. In general, an appointee who has never worked in the Public Service or has had a break in excess of 26 weeks will be offered an appointment based on membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (“Single Scheme”). Full details of the Scheme are at http://www.per.gov.ie/pensions

Pensionable Age
The minimum age at which pension is payable is 66 (rising to 67 & 68 in line with State Pension age changes).
Retirement Age
Scheme members must retire at the age of 70.

Hours of attendance
Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount to 35 hours net per week. Normal working hours are from 09.00 to 17.00 Monday to Friday, including lunch. Evening and weekend work may be required from time to time.

Annual Leave
30 days annual leave entitlement. This allowance is subject to the usual conditions regarding the granting of annual leave in the public sector, is based on a five-day week and is exclusive of the usual public holidays.

Sick Leave
Pay during properly certified sick absence, provided there is no evidence of permanent disability for service, will apply on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with the provisions of the public sector sick leave circulars.

Business Travel
When absent from home and headquarters on duty, appropriate travelling expenses and subsistence allowances will be paid in accordance with the normal Public-Sector regulations.


Training and Development
PHECC supports the ongoing training and development of staff providing both internal and external training and development opportunities and supports.

Application Process & Closing Date:
Please submit a comprehensive CV (max 4 pages) and cover letter (max 2 pages) explaining how you meet the requirements for the role by 5:00 p.m. on Friday 21st February 2025. If an acknowledgement of your application is not returned within 2 working days of your application submission, please follow up with our office to confirm successful receipt to confirm same.  Only applications sent to g.kilroy@phecc.ie will be accepted. Any informal queries may be directed to richard.lodge@phecc.ie.


PHECC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability.