We are looking for a Head of our Rare and Imported Pathogens Clinical Service in Porton Down, the post holder will lead clinical services and the Imported Fever Service, and will take responsibility for all departmental activities, delegating tasks to suitably qualified individuals as appropriate.  They will ensure high quality services with a strong focus on clinical governance.  They will also provide clinical leadership and oversight to the laboratory working closely with SMEs and colleagues across Science group, particularly the Deputy Director for Diagnostics and Pathogen Characterisation and the colead for the WHO Collaborating Centre for Virus Reference & Research (Special Pathogens). They will be a member of the TARZET SLMT and provide senior input into divisional activities.

They will support UKHSA incident response as required.

Please refer to Job Description for further details.

Lead and manage the clinical services team and take responsibility for the day-to-day provision of a comprehensive clinical microbiology and virology service covering unusual pathogens including arboviruses, Rickettsia, Q fever, Lyme disease and leptospirosis.  
Provide clinical leadership and oversight to the laboratory, working with the Operational lead for RIPL and the Scientific Programme Manager.

Ensure a strong focus on clinical governance, patient safety and risk management and lead a programme of continuous improvement work for the laboratory and clinical services, including compliance with ISO standards as appropriate. Take responsibility for departmental matters concerning clinical governance, including participation in divisional clinical governance initiatives and design of appropriate local clinical governance and quality programme. 

Lead the research & development work in RIPL working with the Scientific programme manager, and individual experts in the department.

Support UKHSA incident response as required.

Work closely with the EIZ public health team to ensure high quality surveillance and risk assessment of infections within RIPL remit.
Liaise with patient and professional interest groups and provide evidence-based advice.

Assist with teaching and training of medical, scientific, biomedical scientist staff, international visitors, and undergraduates and postgraduates within PHE, university partners and other agencies. 

For further details see Job Description.

Essential criteria

   Registered medical practitioner, with full registration with the GMC, and inclusion on the Specialist Register for Microbiology or Virology (or be eligible for entry onto that register within six months of the AAC date) or commensurate qualifications and experience, Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists 
   Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT in Microbiology/Virology/Infectious Diseases.
   Ability to offer an expert clinical and clinical laboratory opinion on a range of problems relating to Microbiology & Virology in primary care, inpatient, and tertiary referral settings.
   Experience in clinical management of Lyme disease, and/or willingness to take on clinical leadership role in this area after period of training/induction as appropriate.
   Experience/interest in Microbiological/virological aspects of infection control in hospitals, public places, and the environment.  
   Laboratory management experience and understanding of the relevant laboratory legislation and regulations.
   Principles and practice of infection control in the hospital, community, and environment
   Diagnostic laboratory quality control, safety, and diagnostic development 
   Demonstrated leadership and management skills
   Commitment to clinical governance and patient safety
   Evidence of continuing medical education (existing consultants must be able to demonstrate active participation in a recognized CPD scheme)

Desirable criteria

   Experience and expertise in advising on the management of critically ill infection patients. 
   Experience in investigating new, unusual, or tropical Infections.
   Demonstrated aptitude and interest in public health and health protection microbiology/virology.
   Ability to supervise postgraduate clinical & laboratory research.
   National or international scientific standing.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.   

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.  

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs. 

Job contact :

• Name : Meera Chand, Deputy Director TB, ARI, Emerging Infections
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]