About this role
Job summary
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 Newcastle, 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 microbiology within Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. They 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 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, or be eligible for registration within six months of interview. Consultant Clinical Scientists should have HCPC registration and have exited HSST training programme or provide evidence that completion is expected within 6 months of interview. Applicants wishing to work less than full time are welcomed.
Main duties of the job
Clinicalo Provision with colleagues of a service to healthcare providers contracting with the UKHSA laboratory, primarily Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust, with responsibility for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infection, and the proper functioning of the departmento Out-of-hours responsibilities, including participation in the Consultant on-call rotao Work closely with regional and national UKHSA colleagues, particularly those in the Health Protection Team and Field Epidemiology Unit, to optimise the department's contribution to public healtho Cover for colleagues' annual leave and other authorised absenceso Participate in medical audit, UKHSA and the Trust's Clinical Governance processes and in CPDEducation and Trainingo Professional supervision and management of junior medical staffo All clinical staff are encouraged to undertake a formal "Training the Trainers" course
Researcho Engagement in research
Leadership and Managemento To act in a professional manner and as a role model to other staff memberso To perform your duties to the highest standard with particular regard to efficient and effective use of resources, maintaining quality and commitment to drive improvements
For full details, please see attached Job Description & Person Specification.
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.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Job description Job responsibilities
AccountabilityThe post is professionally accountable to the Clinical Services Director of the UKHSA Laboratory, Cambridge (currently Dr Jenifer Mason) and to the Medical Director of Cambridge University Hospitals (currently Dr Sue Broster) for Trust clinical governance matters. It is managerially accountable to the UKHSA Chief Scientific Officer, via the Clinical Services Director and Deputy Director of the Public Health Microbiology Division.
Key Working RelationshipsThe post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include: The UKHSA Clinical Services Director, Head of Laboratory Operations, Network Business Managers, and other senior staff of UKHSA. Consultant microbiologists and virologists, clinical scientists, BMS and other staff employed at the Cambridge laboratory. Consultant clinical staff and medical trainees at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Papworth NHS Foundation Trust and other service users contracting with the laboratory. General Practitioners and other Primary Care staff within the catchment areas of the above hospitals and who may have contracts and service level agreements with the Cambridge laboratory. Infection control nurses and other senior nursing, paramedical and administrative staff in the Trusts and other healthcare providers served by the laboratory. Consultant microbiologists and other health care staff in the wider East of England. Senior NHS public health staff, including Directors of Public Health in the Region EHOs and other Local Authority staff in the Region Local Occupational Health Services
Job PlanA formal job plan will be agreed between the appointee and their Divisional Director or agreed delegate, on behalf of the Medical Director, three months after the commencement date of the appointee and will be effective from the commencement date of the appointment.
The job plan for the first three months will be based on the provisional timetable shown in the table below. Clinical duties are split between Laboratory-based consultant and ward-based consultant. The Laboratory consultant predominantly provides clinical advice, report validation, trainee supervision and laboratory liaison. The Ward-based consultant predominantly undertakes MDTs and stewardship ward rounds. Opportunities to develop areas of interest can be discussed on appointment.
The job plan will then be reviewed annually. The job plan will be a prospective agreement that sets out a consultants duties, responsibilities and objectives for the coming year. It should cover all aspects of a consultants professional practice including clinical work, teaching, research, education and managerial responsibilities. It should provide a clear schedule of commitments, both internal and external. In addition, it should include personal objectives, including details of their link to wider service objectives, and details of the support required by the consultant to fulfil the job plan and the objectives.
Desk space in a shared office with a desktop computer will be provided. The hospital and department computer network can be accessed from any computer workstation and remotely from home. Consultants share access to department administrative staff.
For full details, please see attached Job Description & Person Specification.
ExternalOpen to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Application & Sift
This vacancy is using Competencies.
At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the job advert and attached Job Description & Person Specification.
You will be required to complete an:
Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) (up to 1500 number of words) word supporting statement
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1500 words.
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)
Interview stage (competency based):
You will be invited to a face to face/remote interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Interviews are planned to be held Friday 7th August, please note this date may be subject to change.
During the interview we will assess against the below:
KnowledgeExperienceSkills and Abilities
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.
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our lab at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month).
If based at one of our labs you will be required to have a minimum of 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.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
MBBS or equivalent medical qualification or, if applying as a Clinical Scientist, a PhD or equivalent in microbiology Medical applicants should have Full and Specialist GMC registration (with a license to practice) in Medical Microbiology & Virology 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 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
For medically-qualified applicants, an MD or PhD in microbiology
Knowledge and experience Essential
Proven track record of clinical microbiology experience with the ability to offer an expert clinical and laboratory opinion on a range of problems relating to microbiology in primary and secondary care, and tertiary referral settings, including infection control. Experience of public health microbiology and understanding of the role of UKHSA and the importance of a good relationship with staff and stakeholders Experience and expertise in managing infections in critically ill patients within a medical ICU/HDU environment, in the immune-compromised host, and in the microbiological aspects of prevention & control 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
Active interest in research and development in medical microbiology evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, invited presentations, prizes and/or honours. Understanding of issues of pathogen containment and exposures
Skills and capabilities Essential
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
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).
Employer details Employer name UK Health Security Agency
Address Addenbrooke's Hospital
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
Employer's website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)