Consultant Microbiologist / Infectious Diseases

Job responsibilities

There are 2 posts available, 1 of which is 1 WTE and 1 is 0.5 WTE.

These posts provide an excellent opportunity to work within and develop the National Mycobacterial Reference Service-South in UKHSA Colindale at a time when there is increasing national and global focus on mycobacterial infections. Appointees to these posts will join the existing NMRS consultant team based in Colindale and Birmingham providing a consultant-led service focused on clinical excellence, innovation, multidisciplinary delivery and public health.

The consultant will be expected to work closely with the Clinical Lead and NMRS clinical and laboratory staff on both NMRS sites. Routine clinical activity includes validation of results and clinical advice to laboratory, NHS and public health stakeholders. The postholder will be expected to provide day to day effective clinical leadership for the mycobacteriology service, ensuring appropriate communication systems are in place with service users and to collaborate closely with the clinical team in the UKHSA TB Unit. They will also be expected to provide professional leadership for members of staff within the team, to lead by example and in a manner that will encourage the development of a positive attitude by each member.

The consultant will be expected to take on roles as delegated by the clinical lead and documented in the agreed job plan. The individual is expected to undertake additional sessions in an NHS unit to maintain currency and gain experience.In addition the postholder will identify, discuss and action their own professional performance and training / development needs with the line manager through appraisal / individual development plan, attend internal / external training events and participate in all mandatory training. The Consultant will be expected to participate in the organisations appraisal scheme including the professional appraisal scheme and ensure appraisal and development of any staff for which s/he is responsible. Also to pursue a programme of CPD, in accordance with appropriate professional body requirements, and undertake revalidation, audit or other measures required to remain on the GMC/GDC Specialist Register or the UK Public Health (Specialist) Register or other specialist register as appropriate.

Please refer to the Job Description for further explanation on responsibilities for this role.

External

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Competency.

At sift stage you will be assessed against the criteria listed in the job advert.

You will be required to complete an:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• (Up to) 1500 word Statement of Suitability

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible).

If we receive a large number of applications an initial sift against the lead behaviour/criteria of insert criteria/behaviour will be conducted.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Only those that meet all essential criteria will be taken through to sift.

In the event of large number of applicants meeting essential criteria, desirable criteria will be used.

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview stage (competency based)

You will be invited to an in-person interview.

Interviews will be held week commencing 30.3.26, please note these dates are subject to change.

This vacancy is being assessed using competency profiles. During the interview we will assess against the below from the job description:

• Knowledge
• Experience
• Skills and Abilities

You will be asked to prepare and present a 5-minute presentation at the start of your interview. The subject of this will be 'How you see the role of NMRS developing as diagnostics become more point of care'.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.The successful candidate will be appointed to the point of the Consultant salary scale appropriate to their years of seniority.

Additional Information

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Security Clearance Level Requirement:

All successful candidates must meet the basic security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is:

• Counter-terrorist Check

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale.If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

We are advertising for 2 consultant roles, one full time (10 sessions per week) and one part time (5 sessions per week).

Qualifications

Essential

• Inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a license to practice/GDC Specialist List (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview)
• If included in the GMC Specialist Register in a specialty other infectious diseases medicine or medical microbiology, candidates must have equivalent training and/or appropriate experience of infectious diseases medicine or medical microbiology practice
• If an applicant is UK trained, they 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
• If an applicant is non-UK trained, they will be expected to demonstrate an equivalent level of training and experience
• Applicants must meet minimum CPD requirements in accordance with the requirements of the Royal College of Pathologists/Royal College of Physicians or other recognised body
• FRCPath by examination or evidence of equivalent qualification OR MRCP or evidence of equivalent qualification

Desirable

• Appropriate management qualification
• Postgraduate qualification in Public Health

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Recent experience of tuberculosis control in the health protection or clinical arena
• Practical experience of application of genomics to infectious disease control
• Recent experience of clinical and/ or laboratory diagnostics for tuberculosis
• Experience of working with other agencies
• Practical experience in leading and facilitating change
• Understanding of key agencies involved in the public health infrastructure
• Experience of working at a regional and/or national level on guidelines, policies and other matters that influence tuberculosis
• Knowledge of methods of developing clinical quality assurance, audit, quality improvement and evidence based clinical and/or public health practice
• Understanding of laboratory microbiology and clinical infectious diseases services in the NHS
• Ability to advise on prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment of tuberculosis
• Understanding of epidemiology and statistics, data analysis and public health practice

Desirable

• Peer reviewed scientific publications, presentation of papers at conferences, seminars, etc.
• Budget management experience
• Experience of and training in line management

Skills and Capabilities

Essential

• Strategic thinker with proven leadership skills, including management of change
• Able to prioritise work, and work well against a background of change and uncertainty
• Adaptable to situations, can communicate with people of all capabilities and attitudes
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (including dealing with the public and the media)
• Effective interpersonal, motivational and influencing skills
• Ability to design, develop, interpret and implement policies

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.

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 (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).