Head of Rare and Imported Pathogens and Clinical Services

We are looking for a Head of our Rare and Imported Pathogens and Clinical Service in Porton Down, the post holder will lead clinical services and the Imported Fever Service, and will take responsibility for all departmental activities, delegating tasks to suitably qualified individuals as appropriate. They will ensure high quality services with a strong focus on clinical governance. They will also provide clinical leadership and oversight to the laboratory working closely with SME's and colleagues across Science group, particularly the Deputy Director for Diagnostics and Pathogen Characterisation and the co-lead for the WHO Collaborating Centre for Virus Reference & Research (Special Pathogens). They will be a member of the TARZET SLMT and provide senior input into divisional activities., Lead and manage the clinical services team and take responsibility for the day-to-day provision of a comprehensive clinical microbiology and virology service covering unusual pathogens including arboviruses, Rickettsia, Q fever, Lyme disease and leptospirosis. Provide clinical leadership and oversight to the laboratory, working with the Operational lead for RIPL and the Scientific Programme Manager.

Ensure a strong focus on clinical governance, patient safety and risk management and lead a programme of continuous improvement work for the laboratory and clinical services, including compliance with ISO standards as appropriate. Take responsibility for departmental matters concerning clinical governance, including participation in divisional clinical governance initiatives and design of appropriate local clinical governance and quality programme.

Lead the research & development work in RIPL working with the Scientific programme manager, and individual experts in the department.

Support UKHSA incident response as required.

Work closely with the EIZ public health team to ensure high quality surveillance and risk assessment of infections within RIPL remit.Liaise with patient and professional interest groups and provide evidence-based advice.

Assist with teaching and training of medical, scientific, biomedical scientist staff, international visitors, and undergraduates and postgraduates within PHE, university partners and other agencies.

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.