Job summary
Employer heading
Consultant Virologist or Consultant Clinical Scientist in Virology
NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant or Agenda for Change Band 8d
Job overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic consultant colleague to join our clinical virology team based in Cambridge.Ìý
Cambridge Clinical Microbiology and Public Health Laboratory is a UKHSA managed laboratory providing clinical and public health microbiology services. The post-holder will be a joining a dynamic team of colleagues delivering expert clinical care locally and regionally, supporting local laboratory development programme and contributing to national public health virology needs.Ìý
The post is to replace a vacant post with 8 PAs with opportunity for further PAs both locally and within UKHSA. Applicants wishing to work less than full time, or flexibly, are encouraged to apply.Ìý
Main duties of the job
Provision, with consultant colleagues, of a clinical service to Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and other contracted users with responsibility for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infections and the proper functioning of the Clinical Microbiology and Public Health Laboratory.
Participation in the Consultant Virologists’ on-call rota in proportion to the post holder’s hours of work (currently no more than 1:4)
Professional supervision and management of trainee medical and scientific staff.
Undertake other activities from time to time as required by UKHSA in pursuance of its national and international role.
Participating in Medical Audit and Quality Improvement, the UKHSA and host Trust’s Clinical Governance processes and CPD scheme.
Working for our organisation
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.  Ìý 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
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The UKHSA microbiology laboratory in Cambridge is a directly managed public health laboratory based at Addenbrooke’s Hospital on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The laboratory functions as part of the UKHSA regional laboratory network and partners similar facilities in Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester as well as the collaborating centres in Brighton and Leeds.
The appointee will work with colleagues to enable the laboratory to fulfil its role as a Regional public health laboratory and to contribute to the provision of the local clinical microbiology service in virology within Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the surrounding health economy, including healthcare providers contracting with the Cambridge laboratory. He or she will also promote the high quality care of communicable diseases within the local area and more widely in the East of England.
Applicants will be expected to have relevant qualifications and experience in providing specialist microbiology services in virology and the clinical management of communicable disease and its application to public health.
Any medical applicants must have Full and Specialist registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) (with a license to practice) for Medical Microbiology & Virology/Medical Virology, or be eligible for registration within six months of interview.Ìý
Consultant Clinical Scientists should hold state registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), have a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant subject and should have exited Virology HSST with certification or be within 6 months of exit.
ÌýApplicants should have wide and recent experience in the management of microbiological services and experience of outbreak investigation and policy development.
• Ìý ÌýExternal - Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of Ìý
•Ìý Ìý Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• Ìý Ìýa (1500) word Statement of Suitability.Ìý
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.Ìý
The Application form Ìýand Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered .
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessmentÌý
Please do not exceed 1500 words. ÌýWe will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2 - Interview
You will be invited to an in person interview; remote attendance may be permitted in exceptional circumstances.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview .Ìý
A 10 minute presentation will be required, the subject will be provided prior to interview. Slides can be used.
Interviews will be held week commencing 3rd February 2025 or week commencing 10th February 2025. Please note, these dates are subject to change.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Successful candidates for this role must pass an enhanced disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. Ìý
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Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification or, if applying as a Clinical Scientist, a PhD or equivalent in virology or microbiology / molecular biology
- Medical applicants should have Full and Specialist GMC registration (with a license to practice) in Medical Microbiology & Virology/MV and/or Infectious Diseases, or be eligible for registration within six months of interview or Clinical Scientists should have HCPC registration, or demonstration of active work to complete the portfolio in an appropriate discipline within 6 months of interview
- Medically-qualified 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. Clinical Scientists should have exited Virology HSST with certification, or be within 6 months of exit.
- FRCPath in Microbiology or Virology by examination and MRCP if applying as an ID physician
- Evidence of continuing medical education (existing consultants must be able to demonstrate active participation in a recognised CPD scheme)
Desirable criteria
- For medically-qualified applicants, an MD or PhD in virology or microbiology / molecular biology
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Proven track record of clinical virology experience with the ability to offer an expert clinical and laboratory opinion on a range of problems relating to virology in primary and secondary care, and tertiary referral settings, including infection control.
- Experience of public health virology and understanding of the role of UKHSA and the importance of a good relationship with staff and stakeholders
- Evidence of clinical risk management and of leadership and promotion of good Clinical Governance and of investigating issues arising
- Experience of teaching and training both medical and non-medical staff at undergraduate and postgraduate level
- Understanding of quality assurance principles, safety requirements and procedures
Desirable criteria
- Active interest in research and development in medical virology & microbiology evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, invited presentations, prizes and/or honours.
- Understanding of issues of pathogen containment and exposures
Skills and capabilities
Essential criteria
- Leadership: able to motivate others, encourage teamwork, delegate and get the best out of people
- Ability to prioritise work in a timely manner and to work across organizational boundaries
- Good interpersonal, written and communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, relatives, GPs, nurses and staff from other agencies.
Equality and diversity
Essential criteria
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dr Jenifer Mason
- Job title
- Consultant Microbiologist
- Email address
- [email protected]
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