Consultant in Infectious Diseases/Microbiology

The TB unit sits within the TARZET division, covering TB, acute respiratory, zoonosis, emerging infection and travel health. TARZET’s mission is to protect the public from respiratory, imported, emerging and novel infections through world-leading public health microbiology and virology, outbreak response, surveillance, research and interventions. As part of this role you will be working alongside the other units within TARZET.

The TB Unit are a multidisciplinary team delivering surveillance, epidemiology, public health and clinical advice, microbiology, infectious diseases and TB nursing expertise, incident and outbreak response, and advice to government. We work closely with Health Protection Teams, Field Services, NHS England and NHS Trusts, with international agencies and colleagues. We also have a wide number of academic partners, with associated research opportunities. The UKHSA TB Unit provide the support for the cluster investigation and interpretation of whole -genome sequencing outputs for tuberculosis to detect and guide the public health response to incidents and outbreaks.

The post will be based at UKHSA Colindale (Northwest London), flexible and remote working  will be considered. Part time 5 sessions per week / 18.75 hours per week.

UKHSA and NHSE jointly published the TB Action Plan in 2021 (Tuberculosis (TB): action plan for England, 2021 to 2026 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).) This action plan sets out the commitment to work toward TB elimination in England and the priority actions that need to be taken to reach this. The consultant microbiologist/ ID physician will have direct influence and give strategic leadership in order to deliver the outcomes required.

The job is designed to cover the full range of clinical and public health infection in the UKHSA TB Unit. The purpose of this post covers eight broad areas:

• Contribute intellectual and scientific leadership to the TB Unit and wider division
• Line manage TB Unit staff as delegated by the Unit head
• Contribute to education and training of clinical and scientific staff
• Develop and execute public health and epidemiological studies in the area of mycobacterial infection
• Provide medical input and leadership to incidents and outbreaks related to mycobacterial infections
• Provide specialist input to public health guidance and supporting documents for mycobacterial infections; leadership on publishing specific documents will be agreed with the Head of Unit
• Ensure that the TB Unit works to the highest standards of Clinical Governance
• Work closely with the National Mycobacterial Reference Service to optimise surveillance based on laboratory data including whole-genome sequencing
• Liaise with cross-government stakeholders in relation to situational awareness, public health risk assessment and response advice

MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

The post holder will report to the Medical Consultant Microbiologist, head of TB Unit. The post holder will support outputs consistent with CEI and Clinical and Public Health Group business plans.

The Consultant will be professionally and managerially accountable to the Deputy Director, TARZET. Professional appraisal will be required. An initial job plan will be agreed with the successful candidate, and this will be reviewed as part of the annual job planning process.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The post holder will undertake the following:

• Provide medical advice through relevant channels for relevant aspects of health and safety, and welfare of self, staff and visitors across the specific area of responsibility
• Ensure health, safety and welfare are afforded priority and to lead by example
• Support the implementation of the UKHSA Health and Safety Training Policy including training on post exposure management
• Work with the Leadership & Management Group to review risk assessments for any new and existing work. Help ensure that clinical advice on risk assessment and post exposure management advice is up to date
• Report risks that cannot be controlled to the Deputy Director of GIFSOH and help ensure that appropriate risk registers are completed and include all controlled and uncontrolled risks

Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care of the health and safety of yourself and others which may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and co-operate with the UKHSA on matters of health and safety.

 PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will be expected to work with:

Internal

• Epidemiology, Microbiology and Virology staff, senior clinical scientists/microbiologists and virologists within TB Unit, TARZET, CEI and the Clinical and Public Health Group
• UKHSA medical, scientific, biomedical scientists, data managers and other staff employed in other Services and Functions in particular Health Protection Services, Field Services, (Health Protection Epidemiologists and Public Health Physicians) and Centres and Regions
• Members of the relevant UKHSA Programme Boards

External

• Academics in your field
• Research funding bodies
• Department of Health and Social Care
• Office for Health Improvement and Disparities
• NHS England
• Government Offices
• HSE
• MHRA
• ECDC / WHO
• National and international organisations and committees relating to your field

SUPPORT AND RESOURCES

The post is based at UKHSA Colindale but flexible and remote working are encouraged. The post holder will also be expected to travel to appropriate national/ international meetings and conferences as required. In the event of an emergency or significant public health anxiety the post holder may be required to travel, as defined in the UKHSA emergency response plan, and to address both public and expert meetings. The post holder will have access to a number of Consultants and Senior Scientists who will support the duties and outputs of the role.

The post holder will be provided with all equipment necessary to perform the job, including a personal computer/laptop with Internet access, mobile phone and other equipment to enable communications whilst away from the office.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Consultant Medical Microbiologist/Infectious Diseases physician will be expected to fulfil the following duties and responsibilities:

• Accountable to the Unit head and Deputy Director, TARZET
• Lead and direct the designated deliverables within TB Unit
• Participate as a member of TARZET Division and CEI Leadership & Management structures  and represent TARZET and CEI within relevant cross-organisational groups
• Ensure that the Health & Safety of staff is paramount, that the H&S arrangements for your service are of the highest standards, and that you work closely with the HSE to address any recommendations that they may have in a timely fashion
• Ensure that the TARZET Division works to the highest standards of Clinical Governance
• Support and develop the workforce across the whole system, in line with UKHSA’s remit, to support capability and capacity, including technical and professional skills to meet the challenges involved in protecting and improving the public’s health
• Participate in an on-call rota as required by the Deputy Director of TARZET

Working for your organisation

At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards.  We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight.  We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work.

Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.

For medical practitioners: in line with legislation, inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a license to practice

Applicants will be expected to have relevant qualifications (including CCT or equivalent); and FRCPath and MRCP or equivalent. Experience of diagnostic services in Medical Microbiology with clinical management of communicable disease and its application to public  health is essential. The applicants must have a record of audit experience and  proven skills in communication and teaching as evidenced by peer review or student feedback. The applicants should have recent experience of microbiological laboratory services, experience of outbreak investigation.

Education / Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• Full and specialist registration (and with a licence to practice) with the General Medical Council (GMC) or be eligible for registration with six months of interview
• Applicants that are UK trained, must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), for Medical Microbiology and Virology and/or Infectious Diseases or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview Infectious Diseases and/or Microbiology. Applicants that are non-UK trained, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
• FRCPath in Microbiology OR evidence of equivalent qualification (i.e. completion of Training as an ID physician with evidence of specialist interest in Bacteriology or Virology e.g. MD or PhD)
• MRCP or evidence of equivalent qualification
• Applicants must meet minimum CPD requirements in accordance with the requirements of the Royal College of Pathologists, the Royal College of Physicians, or other recognised body Evidence of continuing medical education (existing consultants must be able to demonstrate active participation in recognised CPD scheme)

Desirable criteria

• Dual training in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology/ Virology
• MSc, MD, PhD or evidence of equivalent qualification through documented research output.
• Relevant higher qualifications e.g. teaching, management or infection control.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Training in clinical microbiology, infectious diseases and public health microbiology
• Evidence of experience in clinical microbiology, infectious diseases and public health microbiology
• Relevant post registration experience
• Experience of clinical risk management
• Experience in teaching and training both medical and non-medical staff
• Evidence of teaching experience
• Experience and ability to work in multi- professional teams
• Appropriate level of clinical knowledge
• Recent experience of clinical and/ or laboratory diagnostics for infectious diseases
• Experience of working at a local/ regional and/or national level on guidelines, policies and other matters that influence clinical infection and/ or public health practice
• Experience of line managing other staff
• Knowledge of methods of developing clinical quality assurance, audit, quality improvement and evidence based clinical and/or public health practice

Desirable criteria

• Experience in other related specialities
• Public health experience
• Demonstrates breadth of experience and awareness in and outside speciality/ medicine
• Demonstrate use of evidence-based practice
• Experience of leading on teaching and training for specialist microbiology trainees (STs)
• Research experience, presentations, publications, prizes and honours

Skills

Essential criteria

• Competent to work without direct supervision where appropriate
• Clear, logical thinking showing an analytical scientific approach
• Ability to foster and promote the delivery of the clinical diagnostic service of the laboratory
• Understanding of epidemiology and statistics, data analysis and public health practice
• Decisiveness / accountability (ability to take responsibility, show leadership, make decisions, exert appropriate authority). Ability to organise self and own work and to prioritise clinical need.
• Interpersonal skills (see patients as people, empathise, work co-operatively with others)
• Flexibility (able to change and adapt, respond to rapidly changing circumstances)
• Resilience (able to operate under pressure, cope with setbacks, self-aware)
• Thoroughness (is well prepared, shows self- discipline/commitment, is punctual and meets deadlines)
• Shows initiative/ drive/ enthusiasm
• Probity (displays honesty, integrity, aware of ethical dilemmas)
• Ability to communicate effectively with clinical members of staff

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of NHS, clinical governance and resource constraints
• Evidence of leading audits
• Management/ financial awareness
• Information technology skills
• Enthusiasm for teaching
• Familiarity with specialist training program requirements and competencies in clinical and or educational supervision

Equality and Diversity

Essential criteria

• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships appreciation and acknowledgment of the range and complexities of diversity in the UK
• Self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers
• Cultural competence including cultural sensitivity and awareness

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

Job contact :

• Name : Esther Robinson
• Email : esther.robinson@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : SCS.MDrecruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk