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UK Health Security Agency
About
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will be responsible for planning, preventing and responding to external health threats, and providing intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage. UKHSA will ensure the nation can respond quickly and at greater scale to deal with pandemics and future threats.
Consultant in Public Health Infection
Closed for applications on: 9-Jul-2024 00:02
Vacancy status: Closed
Closed for applications on: 9-Jul-2024 00:02
Key details
Location
- Site
- Forvie Site, Cambridge, East of England / Hybrid
- Address
- East Forvie Building, University Forvie Site, Robinson Way
- Town
- Cambridge
- Postcode
- CB2 0SR
- Major / Minor Region
- London
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
Salary
- Salary
- £83,571 - £131,964 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (NHS Medical and Dental Consultant pay scale or Agenda for Change Band 8d)
Specialty
- Main area
- Field Services/Regions
- Interview date
- 14/08/2024
The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.
UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:
- Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
- Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
- Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
- Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
- Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.
Job overview
The Field Services Directorate (FSD) was established to provide a national comprehensive service which is geographically dispersed and integrates epidemiological, public health microbiological, infectious diseases and data sciences capacity and skills delivering surveillance and outbreak investigations consistently of the highest quality.
In each UKHSA region, FS and health protection teams work closely with the consultant in public health infection (CPHI) to deliver a high-quality health protection service. CPHIs in collaboration with FS, HPTs and regional laboratories play an important role in supporting outbreak and incident responses, providing public health microbiology advice including interpretation of test results and overseeing public health microbiology laboratory regional services.
This role requires maintaining active links and relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, both within UKHSA (e.g., Health Protections Teams, reference and specialist microbiology laboratories) and outside of UKHSA (e.g., NHS Trusts, Local Authorities, infection prevention and control (IPC) networks, and commissioners of healthcare services). Together the regional CPHIs form the national CPHI network.
The CPHI network promotes positive collaboration and peer support to encourage enhanced working practices and ensure that public health microbiology has national consistency and resilience.
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The main duties of the job are as follows:
• Act as a key member of UKHSA’s multidisciplinary team
• Provide strategic leadership for determining the requirements and priorities for the provision and commissioning of PHM and infection services from the budget allocated to the region. This will be undertaken in conjunction with colleagues in Health Protection Operations Group, Chief Scientific Advisor Group, the NHS, and Local Authority public health teams, to reflect the aims and objectives of the health protection system.
• Act as the scientific and clinical interface between UKHSA and other providers of laboratory services in the region, including both the NHS and Independent Sector. This involves expertise in diagnostic microbiology, having strong clinical infectious diseases expertise, understanding data and analytical capacity and experience in providing advice/services in this regard.
• Provide specialist and impartial advice for all infections of public health interest in the region, such as gastrointestinal infections, vaccine-preventable diseases, respiratory infections, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and others as required.
Please see attached JD outlining full responsibilities of the CPHI role
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This is a senior role within FS and provides strategic leadership, operational management, oversight and advocacy for developing, shaping and assuring the public health microbiology (PHM) function.
The post holder(s) will be the CPHI within the East of England Region and will be responsible for the provision of PHM response to incidents and outbreaks and responsibility for the day-to-day operational delivery of this function in community, institutional and healthcare settings.
The post holder will provide an expert opinion on the quality, analysis and interpretation of microbiology diagnostic test results, including interpretation of genomic sequence data and associated meta-data. They will also advise on the appropriate microbiological testing and screening initiatives, appropriate communicable disease control measures and liaise with stakeholders to improve joint delivery of local public health microbiology services.
They will support the liaison with the NHS and other partners to deliver and continuously improve UKHSA laboratory surveillance functions, support the interpretation and delivery of field service public health intelligence outputs and contribute to the national services of the wider FS.
The post holder will have responsibility for developing and maintaining close working relationships both internally and with partner organisations. In addition, they will contribute and lead on regional and national priorities, including contribution to wider public health microbiology initiatives consistent with the regional delivery model and integrated working.
To reflect the possibility for continued professional exposure to laboratory-based microbiology / virology clinical services, this role could be a joint post with another organisation with the role attracting further PAs with funding from another organisation (e.g., NHS Trust, academic institution) for the other elements of the job plan. Therefore, there may be a requirement to participate in on-call rotas for a host trust but that will vary depending on local arrangements and will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. The CPHI role therefore, could be taken on part time role alongside a frontline NHS service role. Candidates looking for a part time / job share role are encouraged to apply.
• Option 3 – External - Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)
Applicants are strongly advised to use the criteria in the Person Specification of the Job Description as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria.
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.
FRCPath and/or MRCP (on the specialist register in infection-related specialty) or equivalent training and experience AND MBBS or equivalent (Medical Applicants).
Inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register for an infection related speciality with a license to practice (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview).
Registrar applicants who are not yet on the GMC Specialist Register must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they are within 6 months 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.
FRCPath and/or PhD or equivalent qualifications and experience commensurate with an Agenda for Change Band 8d Clinical Scientist of equivalent standing, or be eligible within 6 months.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.
This is a Non-Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules. To be eligible for employment in the UK Civil Service applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) which operate independently of and additionally to the Immigration Rules. Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre-employment checks.
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules (opens in a new window) and the UK Visas and Immigration rules (opens in a new window)
For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
The Civil Service pay structure and progression is different from NHS Agenda for Change (AfC), most local authority pay grades and other systems that have annual pay increments. For further details, please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.
For AfC or Medical/Dental posts, you must have the correct professional registration to be appointed. The pay will follow the AfC or Medical & Dental terms & conditions. You may be asked to provide evidence of previous service whilst we are conducting pre-employment checks to determine your starting salary.
For Temporary Appointments, if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.
Given the nature of the work of the UKHSA, as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act, you may be required in an emergency, if deemed a necessity, to redeploy to another role at short notice. You may also be required to work at any other location, within reasonable travelling distance of your permanent home address, in line with the provisions set out in your contract of employment.
Late Applications will unfortunately not be considered.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles (attached as a supporting document).
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: [email protected] If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website here.
Reserve List - If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list.
Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.
UKHSA is required to check employment and/or education history covering three consecutive years. Please ensure you give details of at least two different referees, even if you were employed in one company for three years or more.
If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.
Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Benefits of working at UKHSA include:
- Generous annual leave:
-26 days for the first 5 years of continuous service
-28 days after 5 years of continuous service
-32 days after 10 years of continuous service
-Plus public holidays and one privilege day for the King’s birthday - Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
- Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
- Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
- We also promote flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours). UKHSA views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they are able to enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including working from home, compressed hours and job sharing.
- We also offer a generous maternity/ paternity and adoption leave package.
Hybrid Working
UKHSA operates 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 usually spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted hours (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (approximately 3 days a week pro rata) and the rest of your time working from home.
Disability Confident Scheme
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria at sift to ensure these candidates are invited to interview. If you wish to be included in this scheme please tick the box on your application form.
Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone.
To help you during the recruitment process, we will take into account any reasonable adjustments that could help you.
An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work.
This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme.
If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should:
Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.
You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- FRCPath and/or MRCP (on the specialist register in infection-related specialty) or equivalent training and experience AND MBBS or equivalent (Medical Applicants) OR FRCPath and/or PhD or equivalent qualifications and experience commensurate with an Agenda for Change Band 8D Clinical Scientist of equivalent standing
- Full and specialist registration (and a license to practice) with the GMC (or eligible for registration within 6 months of interview). OR HCPC registration as Clinical Scientist in Clinical Microbiology
- Medical applicants that are UK trained, must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of aware of CCT by date
- Medical applicants that are non-UK trained, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
Desirable criteria
- MRCP or evidence of equivalent training and experience (if a microbiologist/virologist)
- Appropriate management qualification
- Postgraduate qualification in Public Health
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Evidence of continuing medical/clinical education (existing consultants must be able to demonstrate active participation in a recognised CPD scheme, e.g., RCPath)
- Recent experience of working in an acute hospital environment and delivery of specialist and diagnostic microbiology/infection and/or virology service
- Experience of Infection Prevention & Control
- Experience in the management of microbiology and/or virology services
- Demonstrable success in leadership of teams
- Experience of policy development, planning and management
- Understanding of roles and inter-relationships between Government Agencies and UKHSA
- Understanding of Workforce Development, including changes and developments within occupational categories and related training and development issues
- Experience in teaching undergraduates, junior staff, postgraduates, nurses and other staff
Desirable criteria
- Experience of Public Health Microbiology/Virology
- Experience of working at a regional and/or national level on guidelines, policies and other matters that influence microbiology/virology practice
- Understanding of European and International contexts
- Research experience and a good record of publications
Skills / capabilities / behaviours
Essential criteria
- Excellent communication skills and partnership working skills with health and local authority professionals
- Well-developed networking, strategic influencing, and decision-making skills
- Ability to build rapport, working in a multi-disciplinary team and maintain good relations with professional contacts both within and outside UKHSA
- Ability to negotiate and persuade
- Active interest in research and developments in medical microbiology/virology and infection prevention and control
- Ability to take responsibility, show leadership, prioritise, and make decisions
- Sense of responsibility
- Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines and to be punctual
- Have a high motivation to succeed and to progress
Desirable criteria
- Evidence a track record of partnership working
Equality and diversity
Essential criteria
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Documents
- JDPS (PDF, 315.4KB)
- Functional Requirements (PDF, 344.6KB)
- Civil Service Recruitment Principles (PDF, 2.6MB)
- Civil Service Nationality Rules (PDF, 195.3KB)
- Application Form Guidance Notes (PDF, 77.3KB)
- Information Sheet - Starting salaries and benefits (PDF, 129.4KB)
- Information Sheet - Selection Process (PDF, 110.1KB)
- Working at UKHSA and your benefits (PDF, 219.2KB)
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dr Ellen Heinsbroek
- Job title
- Head of East of England Field Services
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
Dr Derren Ready, CPHI South West England Field Services – [email protected]
No longer accepting applications
Sorry, this vacancy is no longer accepting applications.
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