The Medical Recruiter

The Medcial Recruitment Industry in Ireland has seen some serious ups and downs in the last 12 months, so what makes a successful Medical Recruiter?

• Patience
• Persistence, yet knowing instinctively when to stop, then it becomes pestering
• Negotiation skills - end result both sides feel they have got what they wanted
• Listening skills - it is all too easy to listen and not hear - 1 mouth, 2 ears, use accordingly
• Understanding both the Candidates needs and the Clients needs
• Medical knowledge - very useful in the field of Medical Recruitment
• Time management - spending most of the time on the important stuff - ie getting in front of people and lifting the phone - less time on the admin that can be done after hours
• Prioritisiing - essential, knowing what needs to be done first as time is always of the essence in this job
• Getting Socially networked - this is the era of LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter and that is the business playground now - so get networked in this field fast or you will get left behind
• Work for and with your Medical Candidates - ie partner them and go after their best needs, not your own
• Keep in contact at all stages of the Recruitment Process - Candidates and Clients get frustrated by lack of contact from their Medical Recruiter
• Be more then a Recruiter - be an Advisor - this is your area of expertise - advise and guide your Candidates and Clients
• Be a Sales person - no hiding behind this one - this is a Sales job - targets need to be met - or you are out of a job
• Ask questions and seek clarity as all Medical jobs need to be fully understood and represented professionally

For further information, go to our Guide to using a Recruitment Agency

Your Medical job interview

Before attending your Medical job interview, whether it be for a Radiographer, Pharmacist or Director of Nursing job, there is an essential interview checklist you should be aware of -

All too often, we hear the following comments following a Medical job interview -

1. They knew nothing about the Company or its competitors
2. They only did the basic research of reading the website ‘about us’ page
3. They knew little about the Medical Products
4. They were very nervous
5. They arrived late
6. They did not make an effort with their appearance
7. They did not listen to the questions asked
8. They had no questions for us
9. They did not understand the Job Description
10. They lied on their CV

Needless to say, this list tells you what are the most essential things to do before attending for any Medical job interview -

• Prepare your journey in advance, down to where to park
• Know the Company, its products and the competitors
• Research beyond the basics - go the extra mile
• Know and understand the Job you are being interviewed for well
• Always have 1 or 2 questions prepared you wish to ask the interviewers
• Use your Medical Recruitment Agency in preparation for this interview - they will know this Company well, its ethos, preferred Candidate type, what to expect at your interview and the interview process
• Know who you are meeting and do a search on LinkedIn/Google before hand so you know who they are
• Always listen to the questions being asked, take your time before answering and clarify if unsure
• It is okay to be nervous, this usually indicates you really want this job - it is how you control or deal with the nerves - remember - forewarned is forearmed - the more you know and research, the less nervous you will be
• Never lie on your CV, you will always be tripped up in a professional Medical interview
• Look sharp and professional in your appearance always

For further interview tips and guidance - go to our interview advice centre

CT Applications Specialist

What is the job of the Application Specialist in Radiography?

This Senior Radiographer is an expert in a Specialist area eg MRI or CT

This MRI or CT Application Specialist does the following in their job -

•    Providing onsite applications training to new and existing customers
•    Supporting the Sales team throughout Ireland (and the UK as required) by carrying out applications training, as well as pre and post sales demonstrations of CT via equipment.
•    Making presentations to clinical and other healthcare professionals at customer sites.
•    On a regular basis providing telephone support to customers and internal personnel.
•    Provide clinical images to support sales projects
•    Provide bespoke customer training courses
•    Keep up to date with current products (and competitors) and clinical trends in order to update customers.
•    To provide marketing support by attending conferences and giving lectures, as required.
This MRI or CT Application Specialist primarily deals  with all training/applications issues within the CT and MRI product area, liaises with the Regional Account Managers and Project Managers and maintain competitive and clinical knowledge.

What experience is required to become an MRI or CT Applications Specialist?
•    Application Specialists should be qualified Radiographers with recent experience of working with multislice CT or MRI equipment and workplaces
•    Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
•    Experience of teaching in a clinical setting and the confidence to present to groups of people.
•    Ability to work successfully independently and as part of a team.
•    Effective planning and organisational skills
•    Flexibility regarding travel throughout Ireland (and UK as required) spending time away from home.
•    Post graduate qualification in CT or MRI
•    Hold a full driving license

•    Application Specialists will be Senior Radiographers currently working on a full time basis with CT or MRI equipment.
•    Experience of using CT or MRI equipment
•    Experience of other imaging modalities such as Angiography or Cardiology
•    Have been involved in research
•    IT skills, PACS terminology

Just click on our link for more information or to apply for our current CT and MRI Application Specialist jobs in Radiography

Dermatology conditions

A Dublin City Centre Clinic currently seeks a Dermatologist

This would be on a Consultative/Diagnostic basis.

This Dermatology Doctor can work remotely as all the Dermoscopy systems are in place in the Clinic.

The Dermatologist would be at Registrar level.

This work would be 10 - 20 hours per month initially, but may increase as per the demand.

The role would be primarily to get involved and advise the Clinic around Dermatology.

For more information about this Dermatologist job or to apply -

Contact us

Getting your Medical job

Why use a Medical Recruitment Agency to find your Medical job?

Here’s why -

1. A Medical Recruitment Agency should save you alot of time
2. They will have industry specific jobs - ie Medical jobs
3. The Medical Recruiters speak your language
4. They will have access to recruitment tools - ie CV advice, interview preparation etc which come as part of the service
5. The service of a Medical Recruiter is free
6. They will have a selection of suitable Medical jobs
7. They will have inside knowledge of the Hospitals or Medical Companies you are applying for a job with
8. A Medical Recruiter will be known and trusted by their Medical Clients and therefore will get your CV in front of the right people rather then an anonomous application which may not get the same attention
9. A Medical Recruiter will take the time on the phone or face to face to get to know you, your situation and understand what you are seeking the way no automated job site can
10. They will be well connected and up to date on all Medical affairs appropriate to your industry

The list goes on, suffice to say, there are alot of valid reasons why you should use a Medical Recruitment Agency to find your Medical job

For further information on this -

Contact us for your next Medical job

Assistant Director of Nursing Job

We have a fantastic Medical job currently for an Assistant Director of Nursing for an Acute Psychiatric facility in Dublin

This is an independent 183 bedded acute psychiatric teaching hospital and  is one of the leading European providers in mental healthcare treatment services, providing generic and specialist in-patient assessment and treatment to patients referred from across the country.

This job of Assistant Director of Nursing  plays a pivotal role in the leadership, management and co-ordination of activity and resources in the nursing department and has responsibility for the development, implementation, management and delivery of services

The Assistant Director of Nursing will be assigned the authority to assist, and when required deputise, for the Director of Nursing in managing the nursing service within the hospital.

He/She will be required to work at both strategic and operational levels within the department.

Essential Requirements -
Evidence of current registration on the Psychiatric division of the live  register maintained by An Bord Altranais

Evidence of post registration education and professional development
Be in possession of a Management Qualification

Minimum of three years at Clinical Nurse Manager level or higher

• Proven ability to lead and motivate staff.
• Demonstrates high capacity for responsibility.
• Demonstrates high capacity for leadership and management.
• Demonstrates a high capacity for autonomy.
• Proven ability to assume responsibility and make decisions.
• Team player.
• Ability to lead the change process, from problem recognition to change implementation and evaluation.
• Ability to manage projects and deliver reports.
• Ability to co-ordinate and motivate self and others in service delivery.
• Ability to form effective interpersonal relationships which are sensitive to the diversity of personnel with whom you work.
• Ability to represent and negotiate on behalf of the team.
• Well organised with effective time management skills.
• Demonstrate initiative.
• Strong IT skills

To apply for this job or for further information -

Contact us

Dental Nurse job

The job of a Dental Nurse/Dental Receptionist or Dental Hygienist is to work as part of the Dental Team and is one of the other type of Medical jobs in Ireland that a person can seek a qualification in and have a rewarding career in

They play an important role in the organisation and management of the Dental Practice.

The Dental Nurse may also have the combined duties of the Dental Receptionist or Dental Hygienist.

Their job is to support the members of the dental team and to assist the dentist in all aspects of patient treatment and plays a vital role in patient care.

The main duties of a Dental Nurse include:

· infection control prevention

· chair-side assistance

· preparation of the instruments

· management of medical emergencies

· ensuring patient comfort

They may also be required to take notes from the Dentists dictation for records and when the patient has left, the dental nurse tidies the surgery and sterilises all of the instruments.

The modern Dental Nurse trains in all aspects of clinical practice and dental health education - eg - teeth whitening or implants.

The Dental Nurse job may entail education around Dental Implants, Dental Health or becoming a Dental Hygienist.

The abilities and skills required of the Dental Nurse should include the following:

· Communication and organisation skills

· The ability to use initiative

· A Dental Nurse qualification

· Be able to concentrate for long periods of time

· Good manual dexterity

· Being able to put patients at ease

· Very strong chair side manner

· Be prepared to work closely providing support and assistance during the provision of dental treatment

· Being knowledgeable around Dental Health

The Dental Nurse may also be involved with the administration of the dental surgery which can include making/confirming appointments, meeting the patients, dealing with paperwork and taking payments.

Working in this job as a Dental Nurse in Ireland is both rewarding and satisfying.

The job of the Cometic Surgery Nurse

What is it like to work as a Cosmetic Surgery Nurse in Ireland?

Very rewarding if you are the right ‘type’ of Nurse for this field.

This ‘type’ - (not wanting to stereo type, but important to point out) is a strong Surgical Nurse with a passion and knowledge for Cosmetic Surgery.

This Cosmetic Surgery Nurse has a strong Sales ability while at the same time, an empathatic nature and the ability to hear, rather than just listen.

She/he is a Registered General Nurse.

Appearance in the Cosmetic Surgery field is very important -

It would not be very convincing to a potential Client to be advised on the benefits of a Dermal Filler - when the Cosmetic Nurse Advisor has acne and is trying to cover it up with make up.

You have to look the part.

You will also have to understand this is the commerical world of Medicine - therefore sales are of utmost importance.

It is a wonderful balance, there is the 50% Sales aspect and the 50% Clinical Nurse aspect.

Some of the aspects of the job as an Aesthetic or Cosmetic Surgery Nurse are as follows -

Under take training and become proficient at all non-surgical procedures and carry these treatments out on patients
Do pre and post operative assessment and management (bloods and dressings) on surgical patients
Take part in consulting the patient for non-surgical procedures in the Clinic
Be professional at all times and project a good image of the Clinic
An avid Aesthetic or Cosmetic Surgery Professional

Phlebotomy skills are also important in this field.

For a rewarding career as a Cosmetic Surgery Nurse in Ireland -

Contact us

Wound Mgmt Assoc of Ireland

For those of you working in Wound Care in Ireland, there are some very important factors as outlined by Dr Georgina Gethin, President of the Wound Management Association of Ireland (WMAI)

Investment in early Wound care can make a huge difference to patient care.

Many patients with chronic wounds live with a reduced quality of life and often have a concurrent chronic illness,  Dr Georgina Gethin

These patients often face regular infections, repeated hospital admissions and a higher incidence of MRSA due to a weakened immune system, she added.

As a board member of the European Wound Management Association (EWMA), Dr Gethin works within the WMAI to improve treatment, increase prevention and create greater awareness about wound care and the effect it can have on patients’ lives. She also works as research co-ordinator and lecturer in the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at the RCSI, with a special interest in wound management and evidence-based practice.

The HSE’s National Best Practice and Evidence-Based Guidelines for Wound Management were published in October 2009. The guidelines were developed to support the standardisation of wound care and management at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, said Dr Gethin, encouraging best clinical practice in the provision of wound care in Ireland.

As lead researcher in the HSE Guideline Development Team (with co-chairs Eithne Cusack, Director, Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development, HSE, and Dr Davida De La Harpe, Assistant National Director, Population Health, HSE), Dr Gethin comments about the group process of designing the guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) tool (www.agreecollaboration.org).

The HSE document states that the AGREE tool assesses both the quality of the reporting, the quality of the recommendations and the likelihood that the guidelines will achieve their intended outcome. The guidelines list the appropriate interdisciplinary approach within clinical practice that facilitates the wound-healing potential of the individual.

Acute and chronic wounds
The HSE guidelines demonstrate that as the largest organ in the body, damage to the skin can have a catastrophic effect on the individual. Whether it is due to the nature of the injury, or the health of the person, some wounds have a delayed and protracted course of healing.

Broadly defined as ‘acute’ or ‘chronic’ wounds, most acute wounds heal in an ordered way (such as post-operative wounds, minor lacerations, abrasions, minor burns, scalds and some trauma wounds). However, chronic wounds are characterised by delayed healing, cellular senescence and recurrent infections, the HSE document states.

Growing evidence shows that the burden of chronic wounds in Ireland is already high and likely to increase as the population ages, as chronic wounds are strongly related to advancing age.

Across Europe, some €4.5 billion is spent on managing wounds every year, yet many people are still not receiving best-practice wound care. Dr Gethin said it was difficult to understand why this is the case, but there was a lack of awareness. One of the key messages, she reiterated, was that it was not just an older person’s problem. “When a younger patient presents with an ulcer, it’s often not seen as such. But actually, half of leg ulcers start before the age of 65 years.”

The HSE states that wounds not only impact on the individual and their quality of life, they also have a significant impact on the health service and society as a whole. UK studies indicate that up to 4 per cent of total healthcare expenditure is spent on the provision of wound management. In Ireland, it is estimated that two-thirds of community-nursing time is spent providing wound management, according to the HSE.

“Wounds do not have a one-dimensional impact. They can impact in three domains: the individual, the health service and society,” the HSE document states. Approximately 1.5 per cent of the population will suffer from a wound at any one time, according to Dr Gethin.

The vast majority will heal without incidence, such as minor or acute wounds. However, there are still wounds that provide some big challenges. Leg ulcers, she said, were difficult to prevent but could be treated. With regard to diabetic foot ulcers, a lot can be done to prevent them. Similarly, a lot of prevention work can be done to prevent pressure ulcers and malignant fungating wounds.

Dr Gethin explained: “Within general practice, leg ulcers would be most commonly seen. One of the key treatments in the area of leg ulcer management is compression therapy. This is the internationally agreed best-practice management for venous leg ulcers but, despite this, almost 40 per cent of people with such wounds still do n0t receive this therapy.”

A particular focus of international work has been the study of diabetic foot disease.  “About 7 per cent of people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer; they’re a key group.”

In terms of amputations, the vast majority are as a result of an initial ulcer, she added. Foot ulceration is a frequent complication of diabetes and people with diabetes are 15 times more likely to have an amputation than those without. Some 85 per cent of all such amputations are preceded by ulceration, the HSE guidelines state.

Dr Gethin said the guidelines suggested that all people with diabetes should have a documented foot assessment at least once a year — more frequently amongst those with a higher risk. “It’s an area where practice nurses and GPs can play a key role in learning how to do a proper foot assessment and completing these regularly,” Dr Gethin said.

Another key area is the treatment of malignant fungating lesions. “These are cancerous wounds, which develop in almost 5-10 per cent of people with breast cancer. The percentages may be slightly higher in different types of cancers, but some cancers may start as a wound,” Dr Gethin explained.

She added that people who developed a malignant fungating wound “only have a life expectancy of six-to-12 months”.

“It’s a very rapid progression from when the wound develops to the time of death. Therefore, health professionals have a very small window of opportunity to really make a difference,” she added.

Objectives
The patient should be actively involved and supported in setting treatment goals, while treatment regimes should address the issues raised in the assessment process, e.g. poor morbidity, poor nutrition status and pressure re-distributing devices. The guidelines warn that routine use of antibiotics is unnecessary unless there are signs of infection and the wound should be allowed to heal in a moist environment, unless the clinical goal is to maintain eschar in a dry and non-infected condition.

Dr Gethin explained that all wounds were potentially painful. Thus, the guidelines suggest that an approach to pain management should address the cause of pain and implement local, regional or systemic patient factors to control it. The guidelines state that the primary objective of wound cleansing is to remove foreign materials in the hope of treating or preventing would infection, preparing the wound for grafting and reducing exudate and odour.

The single most distressing factor about which people complain is odour from wounds, and the WMAI “is going to see how we could improve in this area”, Dr Gethin said. It was important that the patient sought advice from the tissue viability nurse, because there were ways to reduce the odour, she added.

Despite the pain, depression and reduced quality of life suffered by patients with chronic wounds, often these people can be socially isolated because of the odour from the wound, with repeated sick leave from work because of concurrent illnesses. There is also the high incidence of MRSA amongst people with chronic wounds.

Not only were chronic wounds painful, they were also associated with at least one co-morbidity, such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders, said Dr Gethin. The most common wounds in clinical practice that provide the most challenges include venous ulceration, arterial ulceration, diabetic foot ulceration and pressure ulceration. Dr Gethin explained that there were multiple causes such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, arterial disease, trauma and malignancy.

In terms of wound dressings, Dr Gethin said the choice of dressing would be influenced by the type of wound, amount of exudate, location of the wound, skin condition of the patient, presence/absence of infection, condition of wound bed, characteristics of dressings available and treatment goals.

She highlighted that developments were continuously being made in wound management but often, people think about wounds only in terms of what dressing could be used.

“Unless the dressing is carefully selected for the particular wound, it won’t help. There’s a perception that wound care products are very expensive, but when you select and use the products correctly, they’re actually excellent value.

For Wound Care Sales Specialists, this is a key area of influence.

“Not using proper dressings is more expensive in terms of time and healing. If wounds don’t heal for an extra month because something cheaper has been used, it will cost more in terms of time spent by nurses dressing the wound, GP visits, the increased potential for infection and the added cost of dressings over an additional month — therefore substantially increasing costs.”

This is information every Wound Care Sales Rep in Ireland should know as they have an impact on the bottom line

Any Wound Care job in Ireland could not be done effectively withou this information.

In Jan 2011, a new podiatry clinic — the first of its kind — opened on the grounds of Merlin Park University Hospital, Galway. It is set to become an internationally recognised centre for podiatry care, education and research. The clinic will also provide clinical placements for students studying in the BSc programme in podiatry at NUI Galway, the only podiatry degree course in Ireland.

For the first time in two years, Ireland will have graduates from the School of Podiatry in Galway coming out as qualified podiatrists. There has never been this type of training before in Ireland.

The Galway Diabetic Foot Study will investigate how common foot problems are in a group of patients with diabetes from the west of Ireland. The study is currently being carried out by principal investigator Dr Sean F Dinneen at a cost of €220,722.

The three-year research project will discover how many patients have diabetic foot complications and how many develop new complications over two years. Dr Gethin said: “The study will look at foot ulceration and assessment and, in the western region, we’re starting to see the emergence of multi-disciplinary foot screening and the management of ulceration.”

These studies are also taking place in Tallaght and other areas across the country. “With foot ulceration, it’s not about the wound as such. It’s about good diabetes control and enhancing the management of diabetes with proper nutrition et cetera, so it’s a team effort.”

Working in Wound Care jobs in the Medical Industry in Ireland, this is of utmost importance

Multi-professional care
The WMAI was established in May 1996 to promote a multi-professional approach to wound management and research and education into high standards in wound management.

“We’re trying to encourage greater assessment of wounds to identify wound problems at an earlier stage, so that those who are at risk can be treated early to prevent ulceration. I think wound management has struggled because it doesn’t have its own identity. It’s not linked to one area like cardiology, infection control teams or diabetes. Wound care is involved in many areas such as hospice care, surgical care and chronic conditions.

Because of that, we often struggle to get our voice heard,” said Dr Gethin.

Annually, the WMAI awards a bursary of €5,000 for members, but the bursary must be used for research and education purposes for a period of one year.

The WMAI is affiliated with the EWMA. Dr Gethin is currently working with a group on palliative care wounds and developing international guidelines for their treatment, “as there’s no such research or expertise in this area”.

This is important information for those working within Wound Care Sales or Wound Care Nurses in Ireland

The Dietitian

The Role of the Dietitian -

The job of the Dietitian is in promoting a healthy lifestyle in their clients and treat medical conditions by providing impartial nutritional advice and design eating plans based on the science of nutrition.

They are Health Care Professionals who are qualified to provide practical information in promotion of eating healthier and advising in the treatment of disease in children and adults.

Dieticians are knowledgeable and researched in the areas of  science of  food, health and disease, which they then advise in terms of treatments of disease areas eg obesity or diabetes.

They use this knowledge of food, nutrition and other areas such as biochemistry, physiology and social science to promote health, prevent disease and aid in the management of illness.

Dietitians have a choice of work environments from Education, Private, Policy, Research or Sports.

They can work in Media, Hospitals, Community setting, Pharmaceutical Companies or Food Manufacturers.

Infant Nutrition is a specialist area alot of Dietitians choose to work in.

Infant Nutrition is an area where advice in terms of Sales or Practice is utilised to better promote Infant Nutrition in Ireland.

Some of the responsibilities of a Dietitian -

• Determining appropriate dietary changes needed to promote health or treat disease and agree an appropriate treatment plan.
• Treating patients whose symptoms are exacerbated or increased by eating particular foods - eg allergies
• Supporting people who are unable to eat after major surgery or serious injury to ensure they continue to receive the nutrition they need.
• Helping athletes achieve their sporting goals through good nutritional practices.
• Maintaining and advancing professional knowledge and keeping up with technical and clinical progress in order to offer clients the best treatment available.
• Formulating practical dietetics advice and resources by interpreting, translating and evaluating relevant information from a variety of sources
• Infant Nutrition support and research

Working conditions -

Travel can be regular during  the working day especially if working in a community setting - eg Infant Nutrition Sales Rep
Working hours: mainly office hours Monday–Friday.
Location: mainly in large towns or cities throughout the country.
Opportunities for self-employment: increasingly more likely as opportunities to do freelance work exists

How do I become a Dietitian?

BSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics
This is a conjoint course between University of Dublin, Trinity College, and the Dublin Institute of Technology

Republic of Ireland: Dietician/clinical nutritionist is one of the 12 designated professionals to be regulated by the Health and Social Care Professionals Council.

Once the register is fully established for a profession, only professionals registered with the relevant Registration Board may use the protected professional title

Ths job of a Dietitian or Nutritionist in Ireland is a very worthwhile career and makes a huge difference to their Client’s lives in terms of improving them.

For Dietitian or Nutritionist jobs - contact us