Job summary
- Main area
- Microbiologist
- Grade
- NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant or Agenda for Change band 8d
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 919-HM-300466-EXT
- Employer
- UK Health Security Agency
- Employer type
- Public (Non NHS)
- Site
- Birmingham Public Health Laboratory
- Town
- Birmingham
- Salary
- £88,168 - £139,882 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 27/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Consultant Microbiologist for National Mycobacterial Reference Service
NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant or Agenda for Change band 8d
Job overview
The National Mycobacterium Reference Service is a UKHSA National Reference Centre for Tuberculosis and Mycobacteriology in England. It is UKAs accredited to ISO15189:2022. It provides a reference service for all mycobacterial isolates from the NHS from two centres, for London and Southern England from Colindale in London and for the Midlands and North from Birmingham. Services include speciation of mycobacterial cultures, resistance prediction and relatedness, using Whole Genome Sequencing, and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing for members of TB complex and a range of non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Clinical, diagnostic, infection prevention and health protection advice is provided, working closely with the UKHSA TB Unit clinical public health team. In addition, primary samples are processed from several NHS hospitals. The NMRS is part of the UKHSA Directorate of Clinical Network Laboratories in the Science Group. At an international level the NMRS is a WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory within the Global Programme on Drug Resistance in Tuberculosis and works with other designated National Reference Centres. In addition to its reference, diagnostic and clinical activities, the NMRS carries out research projects in the UK, and internationally.
The post holder will have individual objectives and a job plan with agreed programmed activities (PAs) that include these responsibilities.
Main duties of the job
Working closely with the other consultants in the NMRS, the appointee will be expected to:
- Have professional responsibility for the delivery of the clinical services provided by the NMRS, including clinical and health protection advice
- Collaborate closely with the Clinical Lead and NMRS staff with respect to all matters pertaining to clinical service provision, and to work effectively together to ensure the delivery of a quality clinical laboratory service that honours the contractual commitments of the Laboratory
- Assist in the strategic development of the Laboratory in the context of national, regional and local UKHSA developments
- Liaise as necessary with senior staff of the UKHSA, partner organisations and customers and thereby to promote UKHSA interests and those of the patients that it serves
- Take a role in clinical governance activities promoting continuous quality improvement in NMRS
- Supervise clinical fellows and other trainees, including line management
- Take a role in ensuring that the Laboratory satisfies the clinical service requirements of external accreditation bodies, including UKAS and the Care Quality Commission
- Undertake annual appraisal and job planning, in accordance with NHS and UKHSA guidance
- Undertake additional sessions in an NHS unit to maintain currency and gain experience
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. 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
This job is permanent and will be 4 PA in total of which 0.75 will be SPA, an example of a job plan is included.
Facilities available to the postholder include provision of UKHSA IT equipment including a laptop, desk space at Birmingham public health laboratory and administrative support from the secretarial pool.
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 organisation’s 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 other specialist register as appropriate.
Management responsibilities
The consultant will be part of the management team for the laboratory and executive management group of NMRS.
The consultant will be expected to provide supervision to clinical fellows and other staff in training, including clinical scientists. Where line management responsibilities are agreed this will include recruitment, appraisals, disciplinary and grievance responsibilities.
The postholder will ensure, together with the laboratory manager of the NMRS-C&N, that the UKHSA’s standing financial instructions, professional standards of conduct and other UKHSA policies and procedures, including health and safety, are observed and operate within the laboratory.
Medically qualified members of the public health team are expected to play certain roles in medical leadership, in relationships with the medical profession and in bringing a medical perspective to public health advice.
General planning and business continuity
The post holder is expected, with the laboratory manager for the NMRS laboratories, the Clinical Lead of NMRS, Head of the TB Unit, in Tuberculosis, Acute Respiratory, Emerging/Zoonotic Infections and Travel Division (T.A.R.Z.E.T), Epidemic and Emerging Infection Division, Regional Head of Operations and scientific / clinical leads to assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. a bioterrorism incident or a major disease outbreak.
Additionally, the consultant will be required to take delegated responsibility for designing and implementing a contingency plan to ensure that essential services are available during emergency situations or other conditions when laboratory services are limited or unavailable and to work with the Laboratory Manager to provide an up-to-date fit-for-purpose Business Continuity Plan.
Health and Safety
The consultant will be expected to be responsible, through the Laboratory managers of the NMRS, Regional Heads of Operations and Laboratory Safety Officers, for all aspects of health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors and to escalate risks that cannot be controlled via the Lead for NMRS and ultimately the Deputy Director for Clinical Network Laboratories.
Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care of the health and safety of yourself and others which may be affected by your acts and omissions at work.
Information governance
UKHSA data and information must be managed in accordance with the requirements of data protection and related law, and best practice standards and guidance. The postholder will be expected to comply with all legal requirements and UKHSA policies and standards.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
The postholder will be required at all times to carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the UKHSA’s equality, diversity and inclusion policies and to ensure that staff receive equal treatment throughout their employment.
Other duties
The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of UKHSA
External
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of
• an Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• up to 750 word Statement of Suitability.
This should outline how your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible.
The Application Form and 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 & assessment
Stage 2: Interview (competency based)
You will be invited to a remote interview held by MS Teams with camera on.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
Dates to be confirmed.
A 5 minute presentation will be required, the subject will be provided prior to interview.
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 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).
Specialty Registrar applicants who are not yet on the GMC Specialist Register must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they are within 6months of gaining entry at the date of interview; all other applicants must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they have applied for inclusion in the GMC.
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check.
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.
This role is based at Birmingham Public Health Laboratory. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- 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 than 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
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- 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 criteria
- Peer reviewed scientific publications, presentation of papers at conferences, seminars, etc.
- Experience of and training in line management
Skills and Capabilities
Essential criteria
- 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
Desirable criteria
- Budget management experience
Equality and Diversity
Essential criteria
- Appreciation of the range and complexities of diversity; self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers; Cultural competence – cultural sensitivity and awareness
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable people and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dr Esther Robinson
- Job title
- Head of Tuberculosis Unit
- Email address
- [email protected]
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