Job summary
This is a full-time post for virology services at UKHSA Clinical Network Laboratory, Birmingham, providing Consultant level input into the laboratory, clinical virology and public health service. The post is based at the Lead Public Health Laboratory for the Midlands which is situated at the Birmingham Heartlands Hospital in the University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (Teaching). However, it is a requirement of employment that the post holder be prepared to work at any additional or different location owned or served by the trust, either on an on-going or temporary basis according to the demands of the service. The provision of clinical virology services at Good Hope, Solihull, Birmingham Heartlands Hospitals and Queen Elizabeth Hospital will be by rotation and in partnership with other infection service consultants. In addition to the clinical virology service, the post holder will be providing public health functions for the Midlands Region.

The University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is one of 96 Foundation Trusts in England. The Trust was established in the first of April 2018 by the merger of Heart of England and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation Trusts. The new organisation includes Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital, Solihull District General Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Birmingham Chest Clinic. It is a dynamic organisation that represents one of the largest trusts in the UK.

Main duties of the job

• Work with colleagues for the provision of a comprehensive clinical medical virology service including: advice regarding appropriate specimens, involvement in specimen analysis, validation and interpretation of results for transmission to service users. Appropriate involvement in policies guidelines and standard operating procedures preparation, relevant to consultant virologist duties. On-call duty will be shared equitably with the other consultants in virology and will involve supervision and support of the on-call Specialist Trainees on front-line duty and provision for cover for consultant colleagues' periods of leave. The on-call support is generally through telephone consultation and only on rare occasions is attendance necessary.
• In conjunction with the other infection (microbiology, virology, infectious diseases, and immunology) consultants, provide ward-based and telephone advice on the prevention, diagnosis and management of infection in individual patients and outbreaks of infection. This will involve ad hoc clinical consults arising from referrals or significant laboratory results, attending multi-disciplinary clinical meetings and regular ward rounds.
• Collaborate with colleagues in UKHSABPHL and Infectious Disease Unit in delivering a joint infection service for the host Trust and other users of the service

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 responsibilities

• Develop specialist expertise for services in accordance with the needs of the clinical service
• Provision, with consultant and other colleagues, and when necessary, with the support of Microbiology Services Colindale, of microbiological and epidemiological support, including surveillance, for Consultants in Communicable Disease Control, Environmental Health Officers, DH and others, and for clinical staff in hospitals and the community, within the catchment area of the Laboratory.
• Collaboration with UKHSA central reference and epidemiological facilities in the reporting and investigation of infections, control of outbreaks, assessment of vaccines, development of laboratory methods, involvement in surveys, etc.
• Professional supervision, training and management of junior medical staff
• Responsibilities for carrying out teaching, examination and accreditation duties as required and for contributing to postgraduate and continuing professional development activities locally and nationally.
• Research activities consistent with the priorities of the UKHSA and subject to the availability of funding and resources.
• Participation in medical audit, quality control and clinical governance within the laboratory
• Participation in the RCPath or the RCP scheme of Continuing Professional Development. Study leave will be available in accordance with the terms and conditions of service for Hospital Medical and Dental Staff England and Wales. Funding will be available for agreed purposes.
• Is responsible for the medical authorisation of reports and issuing clinical advice for Antenatal and New Born (ANNB) screening programme.
• Participation in arrangements within the UKHSA for appraisal, revalidation and career development.
• Such additional duties as may be required from time to time by the Clinical Service Director after appropriate consultation.
• Ensure that expert virological advice is available to HPTs and Local Authorities in the management of infections or infectious diseases in the community.
• 1.0 PA out of hours work
• 2.0 Supporting professional activities
• 10 PA a week.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• MBBS Medical Degree
• Full and specialist registration (and a licence to practise) with the GMC (or eligible for registration within 6 months of interview
• FRCPath in Virology by examination or equivalent training and experience
• Applicants that are UK medically trained, must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of award of CCT in Virology or Medical Microbiology or Virology or Medical Virology/ID and on Specialist Register or qualified/eligible for register by date of interview*. Applicants that are non-UK trained, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
• Evidence of continuing professional development (existing consultants must be able to demonstrate active participation in a recognised CPD scheme

Desirable

• MRCP or equivalent training

Knowledge and experience
Essential

• Experience of the application of your skills in a clinical context
• Special interest and expertise in clinical virology. Recent clinical experience in the acute hospital setting
• Experience in teaching undergraduates, junior staff, postgraduates, nurses and other staff.
• Active interest in research and developments in medical virology

Desirable

• Research experience and a good record of publications
• Relevant management courses / Proven managerial skills, especially team leadership.

Skills and capabilities
Essential

• Management of staff.
• Ability to foster and promote the delivery of the clinical diagnostic services of the laboratory
• Experience in clinical audit
• Comfortable with Information Technology and sound computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Good organisation and ability to organise own learning and time, ability to work to deadlines
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Able to communicate effectively with colleagues
• Ability to: Build rapport; Work in a multi-disciplinary team and maintain good relations with contacts both within and outside the UKHSA; Persuade; Negotiate
• Ability to: Take responsibility; Show leadership; Make decisions
• Punctual and Sense of responsibility
• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
• Highly motivated to succeed and progress
• Appreciation of ethnic dilemmas, Integrity and Honesty
• Must be prepared to reside within reasonable travelling distance of the laboratory and must be willing to travel to and work at other sites necessitated by the role.
• Enthusiastic team player with a can-do attitude
• Ability to work as part of a team showing good communication and leadership skills
• Ability to keep good medical records and communicate with other hospital departments and primary care
• Ability to understand and communicate with patients and colleagues

Desirable

• Commitment to teaching

Equality and diversity
Essential

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

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.