Poisons Information Centre Manager

Post Title: Poisons Information Centre Manager
Post Status: Permanent
Department: National Poisons Information Centre
Location: Beaumont Hospital & Affiliated Sites
Reports to: The post holder will report to the NPIC Clinical Director.
Salary: Appointment will be made on the Medical Scientist Chief salary scale(€81,560- €117,193)at a point in line with Government pay policy.
Hours of work: Full-Time (5 over 7 rota)

Closing Date: 28/10/2025 @ 12.00 noon

Please note the hospital reserves the right to close the competition early should a substantial number of applications be received.

Position Summary:

The Poisons Information Centre Manager is responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing the daily work of the National Poisons Information Centre, to ensure that the service provided meets the needs of the users and the objectives agreed with the Clinical Director and other Beaumont Hospital senior staff. They will work closely with the NPIC Clinical Director to plan and maintain work systems, procedures, and policies that enable and encourage the optimum performance of the Poisons Information Centre team.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

The position of a Poisons Information Centre Manager encompasses both clinical and managerial responsibilities which include the following:

Clinical responsibilities
• Answer enquiries about poisoning from medical and healthcare professionals, and from the general public, by telephone, letter, or e-mail. The NPIC Manager should work at least two telephone shifts per week to maintain their skills.
• Refer enquiries to medical or laboratory staff, as appropriate.
• Keep written and electronic records of enquiries answered.
• Be familiar with the various antidotes used in the treatment of poisoning and be aware of the locations where these antidotes are held. Occasionally liaise with Beaumont Hospital Pharmacy (Nursing Admin out of hours) if specialist antidotes are needed by another hospital.
• Carry out literature searches, to review particular problems in poisoning.
• Undertake research as agreed by the Director of the NPIC.
• Participate in continuing professional development. This includes but is not limited to:
a. Keeping up to date with the toxicological literature.
b. Presenting at the departmental journal club.
c. Attending and presenting at continuing professional development events and the EAPCCT annual conference.
d. Writing case reports and research papers for publication in medical or toxicological journals.
e. Participating in training programmes organised by Beaumont Hospital.
• Participate in the Centres outreach programme e.g. speaking to students, paramedics or parents groups about the work of the centre and the prevention of accidental poisoning.

Managerial
• Be able to exercise personal responsibility and make decisions in complex and unpredictable circumstances. Maintain confidentiality of information relating to the NPIC.

• Accomplish department objectives by managing staff, planning and evaluating department activities.
• Accomplish staff results by communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.
• Empower employees to take responsibility for their jobs and goals. Delegate responsibility and expect accountability and regular feedback. Develop personal growth opportunities.
• Maintain transparent communication. Appropriately communicate organization information through department meetings, one-on-one meetings, and appropriate email, text messaging and regular interpersonal communication.
• Oversee the training, evaluation and supervision of new staff.
• Management of leave entitlements including the administration and timely reporting of absence from work.
• Maintain quality service by enforcing quality standards, analysing and resolving quality problems, and recommending system improvements to maintain effective Clinical Governance.
• Ensure staff members are compliant with mandatory training.
• Manage the preparation and maintenance of reports necessary to carry out the functions of the Centre.
• Communicate regularly with other managers and other designated contacts within the hospital.
• General strategic responsibility for the Poisons Information Centre with the Clinical Director and CCA Directorate Business Manager and ultimately with the Hospital/Clinical governance.
• Adapt to ongoing changes in the healthcare environment in the interest of patient care.
• Liaise with the Health Safety Authority to address non-compliance with the CLP regulation by industry.
• Develop, plan and implement awareness activities concerning the CLP regulation.
• Liaise with and/or attend external meetings with, for example, the Health and Safety Authority, HPRA, HSE, Department of Health, Department of Enterprise, Tourism And Employment..
• Liaise with various UK and European groups e.g. the NPIS Centres in the UK, European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT).

Educational
• Participate in mandatory training and actively pursue and provide Continuous Professional Development, keeping an up to date personal record.
• Maintain knowledge of advances in clinical toxicology in order to promote a culture of continuous improvement within the department.
• Develop knowledge and understanding within an evidence-based framework and transfer to situations encountered in practice.
• Liaise with Media when necessary to help increase awareness of the role of the NPIC

Decisions and Judgements
• Be accountable for own professional actions, working independently.
• Provide leadership and supervision to the Poisons Information Officers and Administrative Officer in difficult situations such as very busy periods.
• Using knowledge and skills attained through experience, training and CPD and be actively involved in the training and development of staff.
• Plan and prioritise own workload and that of Poisons Information Officers and Administrative Officer when required.

Standards, Policies, Procedures and Legislation
• Assess and oversee the development and implementation of NPIC policies and procedures.
• Maintain own knowledge of relevant employer policies, procedures, guidelines and practices, to perform the role effectively.
• Maintain own knowledge of relevant regulations and legislation e.g. CLP, GDPR, Financial Regulations, Health & Safety Legislation, Employment Legislation, FOI Acts, etc.
• Ensure consistent adherence to procedures within area of responsibility.

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.

Selection Criteria:
Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post.
Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

Candidates for appointment must possess:
• An honours degree in a scientific or medical subject relevant to Toxicology OR a nursing qualification
• The Diploma in Medical Toxicology from the University of Cardiff or a relevant post-graduate qualification.
• At least 5 years full-time experience working as a Poisons Information Officer/Specialist.
• Commitment to achieve a relevant management qualification if not already obtained at appointment.
• Demonstrate evidence of Continuous Professional Development such as postgraduate study, conference attendance including presentation of oral and poster communications and publication of papers.
• Comprehensive practical knowledge of web browsers and standard Microsoft Office applications, in particular: Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook.
• Ability to produce high quality written materials in English, including reports and scientific reviews, at a level acceptable for external publication.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability and interact and network with all levels within and outside the organisation.
• The ability to communicate highly complex and sensitive information to a range of healthcare professionals, colleagues and members of the public.
• Possess excellent listening, communication, negotiation and influencing skills to manage NPIC scientific and administrative staff.
• Lead, support and enable staff to respond to service provision changes, within the overall direction of the Director.
• Excellent presentation skills which will be used at regional, national and international levels including at continuing education meetings and conferences.
• Solid working knowledge of confidentiality, data protection and good record handling practices.
• Prioritisation and time management skills.
• Be able to progress multiple work activities simultaneously, while responding to tight deadlines.

Desirable:

• Leadership experience with good interpersonal and team skills.
• Evidence of research, audit and publication skills.
• A management qualification or management training e.g. Beaumont Hospital Management Leadership Development Programme.
• Good working knowledge of relevant legislation such as the Chemicals Act, CLP Regulation, Detergents Regulation, Biocides and Plant Protection Products Regulations.

If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitled to or in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service or where a Civil/ Public Service pension comes into payment during the appointee’s re-employment that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012.

Please note: In applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/ Office/ Body will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position

Supplementary information:

The Hospital: www.beaumont.ie

Management Unit: www.beaumont.ie/hr 

Informal Enquiries ONLY to: (Please note NO APPLICATIONS will be accepted via the Informal Email)

Name: Patricia Casey

Title: Manager, National Poisons Information Centre

Email address: patriciacasey@beaumont.ie