Consultant Epidemiologist

Job summary

This vacancy presents an exciting opportunity for a Consultant Epidemiologist ( FTE) to join the UKHSA Field Service Midlands team on a permanent basis, based in either Birmingham or Nottingham.

The Field Services Division (FS) was established to provide a national comprehensive service which is geographically dispersed and integrates epidemiological, microbiological, infectious diseases and data science capacity and expertise to deliver high quality surveillance, outbreak investigations and operational research.

FS provides an effector arm for UKHSA, supporting the translation of evidence into practice as well as having a role in strengthening surveillance through closer links with the NHS and other partners. It also provides valuable links to academic centres and effective leadership and coordination of the UKHSA field epidemiology training function.

Working for your organisation

At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards. We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.�

Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work.�

Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.�

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. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Job description

The post-holder will contribute to the local and national UKHSA surveillance, epidemiology and outbreak control function, supported by information, administrative, and scientific staff within the both the local FS Midlands team and the wider national Field Services Division. Specific lead areas and work portfolio will be agreed with the Heads of Team and Deputy Director of Field Services.

Key Job Specific Responsibilities:

The consultant will take a lead role in the daily reactive on-call service with Scientists, Information Officers, Epidemiology Fellows, Specialist Registrars in Public Health Medicine / Specialist Trainees and administration team� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

The consultant will take a lead role in the daily reactive on-call service with Scientists, Information Officers, Epidemiology Fellows, Specialist Registrars in Public Health Medicine / Specialist Trainees and administration team�

The consultant will take a lead role in the daily reactive on-call service with Scientists, Information Officers, Epidemiology Fellows, Specialist Registrars in Public Health Medicine / Specialist Trainees and administration teamThe consultant will be expected to lead and complete major incidents or outbreaks across the team locality and national incidents where requiredTo provide epidemiological advice and support to Regional Deputy Directors of Health Protection, Consultants in Health Protection, Directors of Public Health and others involved in the control of communicable disease and infection and the management of regional and national incidents/outbreaksTo undertake the surveillance of communicable disease and infection, both in hospitals and the wider community, at local and national level where required, to ensure that timely and accurate information is available to those involved in the surveillance, prevention and control of communicable disease and infection at local, regional and national levelsOther duties as agreed by negotiation between the post holder and the Heads of Team or Deputy Director of the Field Service

Please see attached JD outlining full responsibilities of the Consultant Epidemiologist role.

The post is subject to the core competencies as set out by the Faculty of Public Health for Consultant appointments and the post holder will be expected to demonstrate expertise in all of them (JD - appendix A)

Person specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential criteria

GMC full and specialist register with a license to practice (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview) or UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) for Public Health Specialists or be eligible within 6 monthsIf included in the GMC Specialist Register/GDC Specialist List in a specialty other than public health medicine/infectious diseases medicine or medical microbiology, candidates must have equivalent training and/or appropriate experience of public health medicine/infectious diseases medicine/or medical microbiology practicePublic health specialty registrar applicants who are not yet on the GMC Specialist Register/GDC Specialist List in dental public health/UKPHR 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/GDC/UKPHR specialist registers [see shortlisting notes below for additional guidance]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 required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCTApplicants must meet minimum CPD requirements in accordance with the requirements of Faculty of Public Health/ Royal College of Pathologists/Royal College of Physicians or other recognised bodyMFPH by examination (or exemption or assessment) or equivalent MRCPath or MRCP

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

Strong commitment to public health principlesAble to prioritise work, and work well against a background of change and uncertaintyAdaptable to situations, can handle people of all capabilities and attitudesCommitment to team-working, and respect and consideration for the skills of othersSelf-motivated, pro-active, and innovativeHigh standards of professional probity

Experience

Essential criteria

Significant strategic experience of leadership for public healthStaff management and trainingPractical experience in facilitating changeExperience of communicable disease control in a wide variety of settings including out of hours on callExperience and demonstrable competency in dealing with environmental hazards/chemical incidentsExperience of working with other agenciesExperience of emergency planningExperience in the application of epidemiological methods such as case-control and cohort studies to investigate public health problems

Desirable criteria

Scientific publications, presentation of papers at conferences, seminars etc

Skills

Essential criteria

Strategic thinker with proven leadership skillsProven excellent oral and written communication skills (including presentation skills and dealing with the media)Proven and effective interpersonal, motivational and influencing skillsAbility to respond appropriately in unplanned and unforeseen circumstancesSensible negotiator with practical expectation of what can be achievedSubstantially numerate, with highly developed analytical skills using qualitative and quantitative dataAbility to apply epidemiological methods and statisticsAbility to design, develop, interpret and implement policiesResource and staff management skillsProject Management skillsBudget management skills

Desirable criteria

Ability to undertake prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases of public health importanceTraining and mentoring skills

Knowledge

Essential criteria

High level of understanding of epidemiology and statistics, public health practice, health promotion, health economics and health care evaluation.Understanding of NHS and local government cultures, structures and policiesKnowledge of methods of developing clinical quality assurance, quality improvement and evidence based clinical and/or public health practiceUnderstanding of social and political environmentUnderstanding of interfaces between health and social careAn understanding of the public sector duty and the inequality duty and their applications to public health practiceUnderstanding of key agencies involved in health protectionUnderstanding of laboratory microbiology services, clinical infectious diseases services and clinical toxicology services

Desirable criteria

Knowledge of grant development and research methodology

Equality and Diversity

An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

Benefits

Learning and development tailored to your roleAn environment with flexible working optionsA culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

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