General Practitioner Safetynet Primary Care  

Characteristic and Values: 

Pragmatism, Lack of Prejudice, Optimism, Boldness, Enthusiasm, Committed, Kindness, Positivity, Self-awareness, Sense of Social Justice, Sense of humour, Compassion, Integrity, Empathy, Tenacity, Imagination, Respect, Openness, Patience and Idealism  

• Do you want a job where you can make a difference? 
• Do you aspire to the characteristics and values above? 
• If so, come work for Safetynet Primary Care! 

Job title:    General Practitioner  

Particulars of Office: Fixed term: 1 year (3-month probationary period) with option to extend.  

Multiple positions: 2 – 8 sessions per week available 

Annual Leave: 25 days per annum (pro rata) 

Report To: CEO / Medical Director 

Safetynet Primary Care Vision 

Safetynet Primary Care is a Medical Charity providing services to those in our society most in need of health care but without access to appropriate care. Safetynet innovatively removes barriers by bringing healthcare to homeless people and vulnerable groups in hostels, food halls, drop-in services and by providing a mobile health service to rough sleepers.  Safetynet has developed a significant Migrant Health service providing health assessment screening and GP clinics to vulnerable migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.  We advocate for an inclusive health system and work towards integration of our patient’s health care to the mainstream services. 

Safetynet Primary Care is an equal opportunities employer.  

General Job Description 

The GP position is based primarily in Dublin across all of Safetynet Primary Care’s clinics and teams. The clinics are provided for people without medical cards who have low- or no-income including people experiencing homelessness, people applying for international protection and people from the Roma community.  The role is key to the development and execution of Safetynet Primary Care’s.   

Qualifications 

• Candidate must hold MICGP qualification  

And 

Be entered on the Specialist Division of the Register (General Practice), Irish Medical Council 

And 

Have working experience in and extensive knowledge of the Irish health care system 

• Previous experience working with marginalised groups and experience working through an interpreter is an advantage  

• Candidates shall be of good character 

• Candidates shall be in a state of health that indicates a reasonable prospect of ability to provide regular and efficient service 

• A working knowledge of Socrates or other GP practice software is desirable 

Duties & Responsibilities 

The following sets out the duties and responsibilities of this position: 

• To provide GP care to marginalized people accessing Safetynet’s services. 
• To link patients into Safetynet open access services where appropriate and to provide clinical support  
• To link patients into appropriate mainstream health services when necessary and to provide clinical support. This includes collaborating with local GPs to ensure smooth transfer to mainstream. 
• Maintain and develop close working relationship with other homeless health services  
• To refer patients to the range of Safetynet and other services as needs dictate e.g., Methadone treatment, Vaccination, screening. 
• To refer to and accept referrals from secondary services developing strong links with the Inclusion Health teams at St James and the Mater. 
• Provide LARC for women with limited access elsewhere 
• Provide long term care for undocumented migrants who will never be eligible for access to GMS Practices 
• Provide vaccination for patients who have missed or are not linked into Mainstream Primary Care Services.   
• Provide early childhood immunisations  
• To provide outreach and follow-up support to homeless patients enduring chronic and complex needs under the care of the Safetynet In-reach team or Open access services 
• To assess patient mental health needs and link to mental health specialised and mainstream services  
• To admit patients for psychiatric assessment under the Mental Health Act when required. 
• To assess patient addiction treatment needs and link to addiction treatment services 
• To identify, establish and link in with key workers in support of care and case management 
• To collect data and produce reports to aid service monitoring for planning and development 
• To work with voluntary agencies to develop awareness amongst keyworkers of the range of referral pathways to support mental health and to act as point of contact for such referrals so that all homeless clients have access to such pathways. 
• To ensure appropriate care of homeless people post hospital discharge 
• Continuously strive to improve the health of patient group with health promotion and high-quality care 
• To provide appropriate health promotion and preventative care   
• To link women in with appropriate maternity services and provide shared antenatal care where required 
• To collect data and produce reports to aid service monitoring for planning and development. 

Other Responsibilities  

• Act as clinical supervisor for the nurse & GPRs onsite in day to day running of service 
• Undertake other responsibilities commensurate with the role including administration as assigned by the CEO/ Medical Director from time to time 
• Undertake the role in a professional manner maintaining a high-quality standard of work, and in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of the Safetynet Primary Care 
• Adhere to Safetynet Primary Care policies and procedures 
• Be self-servicing in terms of word processing, filing, record keeping, database input, administration, collating information and generating reports from Safetynet Primary Care data etc. 
• Participate in internal/external meetings as required  
• Be an effective member of the Safetynet Primary Care team and participate fully in staff meetings and other committees of the Safetynet Primary Care as required  

Note  

This Job Description outlines the current responsibilities of the role. As the Safetynet Primary Care evolves, the duties associated with this position will evolve with it. 

Further Information for Candidates 

• 2-8 sessions per week 
• Flexible on days (Monday – Friday) (Full day 9am – 5pm with 1 hour break; Half days AM 9am – 12.30pm; PM 1.30pm – 5pm) 
• This post is being advertised initially as a term contract of 12-month duration with a 3-month probationary period. May be extended subject to funding