Job summary
This role is a consultant level post for the medical and scientific lead of the Respiratory Virus Unit of the Virus Reference Department, UKHSA Colindale.
The postholder will lead on influenza, coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV, and other respiratory viruses to improve the capability of the UK to respond to public health threats. They will contribute to ensuring UKHSA remains at the forefront of scientific innovation and that the evidence base for intervention in, and prevention of outbreaks, is world leading.
This is national leadership role with the opportunity for developing an international leadership role in respiratory virology.
Main duties of the job
The appointee will provide medical and scientific leadership to the Respiratory Virus Unit. They will contribute to the consultant clinical service for the Virus Reference Department, including participation in the out of hours duty doctor rota (currently 1:8 frequency). They will lead responses to outbreaks, incidents, events and queries relevant to the Virus Reference Department and the wider Science Group; including acting as the co-lead for Virology Cell when established in response to national incidents.
The appointee will lead the virological investigation of influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses emerging as causes of respiratory infections, including molecular and antigenic characterisation, and contribute to the development of new genomics or serological assays, vaccine effectiveness and antiviral drug resistance.
About us
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide medical and scientific leadership to the Respiratory Virus Unit;
To provide medical and scientific support to the Enteric Virus Unit and Poliovirus Reference Service;
To support the UKHSAs national programme of work related to the development and improvement of surveillance, investigation, prevention and control of respiratory virus infections through writing of guidance, advising on national programs and policy, and other activities.
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.
Inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a license to practice (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview)
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
UK Health Security Agency promoted diversity in the workplace and is an Equal Opportunities employer
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide medical and scientific leadership to the Respiratory Virus Unit;
To provide medical and scientific support to the Enteric Virus Unit and Poliovirus Reference Service;
To support the UKHSAs national programme of work related to the development and improvement of surveillance, investigation, prevention and control of respiratory virus infections through writing of guidance, advising on national programs and policy, and other activities.
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.
Inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a license to practice (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview)
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
UK Health Security Agency promoted diversity in the workplace and is an Equal Opportunities employer
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered medical practitioner, with full and specialist registration with the GMC (and a licence to practice) in Medical Microbiology and Virology and/or Infectious Diseases. Applicants that are UK trained, must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview. Applicants that are non-UK trained, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
- Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) in Virology, or, Member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) or Member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) if applying as an Infectious Diseases Physician, with evidence of experience in virology (such as a PhD in virology)
- Further qualification, such as postgraduate doctorate (PhD or MD in virology or evidence of equivalent qualification
Desirable
- Relevant additional qualifications e.g. teaching, management or infection control.
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Training and experience in clinical virology, with relevant specialist experience of and expertise in influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses
- Public health experience, including working with other agencies, emergency planning, writing and formulating public health guidance
- Experience of working at regional, national or international level in a multi-stakeholder environment
- Evidence and experience in staff management and training of both medical and non-medical staff
- Demonstrates use of evidence-based practice
Desirable
- Research experience, presentations, publications, prizes and honours
Skills / capabilities/ behaviours
Essential
- Competent to work without direct supervision where appropriate; ability to organise self and own work and to prioritise clinical need, and to show awareness of their own limitations
- Decisiveness/ accountability (ability to take responsibility, show leadership, make decisions, exert appropriate authority)
- Interpersonal skills (see patients as people, empathise, work co-operatively with others)
- Flexibility (able to change and adapt, respond to rapidly changing circumstances)
- Commitment to and focused on quality, promotes high standards in all they do
- Consistently thinks about how their work can help and support clinicians and frontline staff deliver better outcomes for patients
- Works well with others, is positive and helpful, listens, involves, respects and learns from the contribution of others
- Consistently looks to improve what they do, looks for successful tried and tested ways of working, and also seeks out innovation
- Actively develops themselves and supports others to do the same
Equality and diversity
Essential
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered medical practitioner, with full and specialist registration with the GMC (and a licence to practice) in Medical Microbiology and Virology and/or Infectious Diseases. Applicants that are UK trained, must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview. Applicants that are non-UK trained, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
- Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) in Virology, or, Member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) or Member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) if applying as an Infectious Diseases Physician, with evidence of experience in virology (such as a PhD in virology)
- Further qualification, such as postgraduate doctorate (PhD or MD in virology or evidence of equivalent qualification
Desirable
- Relevant additional qualifications e.g. teaching, management or infection control.
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Training and experience in clinical virology, with relevant specialist experience of and expertise in influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses
- Public health experience, including working with other agencies, emergency planning, writing and formulating public health guidance
- Experience of working at regional, national or international level in a multi-stakeholder environment
- Evidence and experience in staff management and training of both medical and non-medical staff
- Demonstrates use of evidence-based practice
Desirable
- Research experience, presentations, publications, prizes and honours
Skills / capabilities/ behaviours
Essential
- Competent to work without direct supervision where appropriate; ability to organise self and own work and to prioritise clinical need, and to show awareness of their own limitations
- Decisiveness/ accountability (ability to take responsibility, show leadership, make decisions, exert appropriate authority)
- Interpersonal skills (see patients as people, empathise, work co-operatively with others)
- Flexibility (able to change and adapt, respond to rapidly changing circumstances)
- Commitment to and focused on quality, promotes high standards in all they do
- Consistently thinks about how their work can help and support clinicians and frontline staff deliver better outcomes for patients
- Works well with others, is positive and helpful, listens, involves, respects and learns from the contribution of others
- Consistently looks to improve what they do, looks for successful tried and tested ways of working, and also seeks out innovation
- Actively develops themselves and supports others to do the same
Equality and diversity
Essential
- 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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
