Consultant in Public Health Infection

Job description

Job responsibilities

This is a senior role within FS and provides strategic leadership, operational management, oversight and advocacy for developing, shaping and assuring the public health microbiology (PHM) function.

The post holder(s) will be the CPHI within the East of England Region and will be responsible for the provision of PHM response to incidents and outbreaks and responsibility for the day-to-day operational delivery of this function in community, institutional and healthcare settings.

The post holder will provide an expert opinion on the quality, analysis and interpretation of microbiology diagnostic test results, including interpretation of genomic sequence data and associated meta-data. They will also advise on the appropriate microbiological testing and screening initiatives, appropriate communicable disease control measures and liaise with stakeholders to improve joint delivery of local public health microbiology services.

They will support the liaison with the NHS and other partners to deliver and continuously improve UKHSA laboratory surveillance functions, support the interpretation and delivery of field service public health intelligence outputs and contribute to the national services of the wider FS.

The post holder will have responsibility for developing and maintaining close working relationships both internally and with partner organisations. In addition, they will contribute and lead on regional and national priorities, including contribution to wider public health microbiology initiatives consistent with the regional delivery model and integrated working.

To reflect the possibility for continued professional exposure to laboratory-based microbiology / virology clinical services, this role could be a joint post with another organisation with the role attracting further PAs with funding from another organisation (e.g., NHS Trust, academic institution) for the other elements of the job plan. Therefore, there may be a requirement to participate in on-call rotas for a host trust but that will vary depending on local arrangements and will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. The CPHI role therefore, could be taken on part time role alongside a frontline NHS service role. Candidates looking for a part time / job share role are encouraged to apply.

Option 3 External - Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)Applicants are strongly advised to use the criteria in the Person Specification of the Job Description as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria.

The successful candidate will be appointed to the point of the Consultant salary scale appropriate to their years of seniority or if from a background other than medicine to NHS Agenda for Change Band 8d.

FRCPath and/or MRCP (on the specialist register in infection-related specialty) or equivalent training and experience AND MBBS or equivalent (Medical Applicants).

Inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register for an infection related speciality with a license to practice (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview).

Registrar applicants who are not yet on the GMC Specialist Register must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they are within 6 months of gaining entry at the date of interview; all other applicants must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they have applied for inclusion in the GMC.

FRCPath and/or PhD or equivalent qualifications and experience commensurate with an Agenda for Change Band 8d Clinical Scientist of equivalent standing, or be eligible within 6 months.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• FRCPath and/or MRCP (on the specialist register in infection-related specialty) or equivalent training and experience AND MBBS or equivalent (Medical Applicants) OR FRCPath and/or PhD or equivalent qualifications and experience commensurate with an Agenda for Change Band 8D Clinical Scientist of equivalent standing
• Full and specialist registration (and a license to practice) with the GMC (or eligible for registration within 6 months of interview). OR HCPC registration as Clinical Scientist in Clinical Microbiology
• Medical applicants that are UK trained, must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of aware of CCT by date
• Medical applicants that are non-UK trained, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT

• MRCP or evidence of equivalent training and experience (if a microbiologist/virologist)
• Appropriate management qualification
• Postgraduate qualification in Public Health

Knowledge and experience

• Evidence of continuing medical/clinical education (existing consultants must be able to demonstrate active participation in a recognised CPD scheme, e.g., RCPath)
• Recent experience of working in an acute hospital environment and delivery of specialist and diagnostic microbiology/infection and/or virology service
• Experience of Infection Prevention & Control
• Experience in the management of microbiology and/or virology services
• Demonstrable success in leadership of teams
• Experience of policy development, planning and management
• Understanding of roles and inter-relationships between Government Agencies and UKHSA
• Understanding of Workforce Development, including changes and developments within occupational categories and related training and development issues
• Experience in teaching undergraduates, junior staff, postgraduates, nurses and other staff

• Experience of Public Health Microbiology/Virology
• Experience of working at a regional and/or national level on guidelines, policies and other matters that influence microbiology/virology practice
• Understanding of European and International contexts
• Research experience and a good record of publications

Skills / capabilities / behaviours

• Excellent communication skills and partnership working skills with health and local authority professionals
• Well-developed networking, strategic influencing, and decision-making skills
• Ability to build rapport, working in a multi-disciplinary team and maintain good relations with professional contacts both within and outside UKHSA
• Ability to negotiate and persuade
• Active interest in research and developments in medical microbiology/virology and infection prevention and control
• Ability to take responsibility, show leadership, prioritise, and make decisions
• Sense of responsibility
• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines and to be punctual
• Have a high motivation to succeed and to progress

• Evidence a track record of partnership working

Equality and diversity

• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Forvie Site, Cambridge, East of England / Hybrid

East Forvie Building, University Forvie Site, Robinson Way

Cambridge

CB2 0SR

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency