Clinical Microbiologist

Public Health Ontario; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Public Health Ontario is seeking a Clinical Microbiologist to provide leadership and consultation in laboratory services. The role involves developing standards, collaborating on research, and providing educational services within the public health sector. Candidates should hold a PhD and relevant certifications, with experience in teaching and research supervision.

Qualifications

• Eligible for academic appointment at an Ontario University.
• Experience in teaching and supervising research students.

Responsibilities

• Provide laboratory expertise and advice for disease diagnosis and outbreak situations.
• Develop and approve standards and guidelines for public health laboratories.
• Collaborate on research projects and secure funding.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Collaboration

Research Design

Education

PhD in Clinical Microbiology or equivalent

Fellowship in Clinical Microbiology (FCCM)

Job description

JR101782
Clinical Microbiologist

Location: Toronto-661 University

Department: Microbiology and Laboratory Science

The Role:
To provide consultation, specialized advisory services, and scientific and clinical leadership to support reference and public health laboratory services to PHO and its clients and stakeholders including PHO academic and operational partners, senior public health officials, health units, local and regional employees and managers, physicians, laboratorians, and other health care providers on the application and interpretation of laboratory services and science. This will occur through clinical and scientific contributions to a province-wide team with regional hubs of PHO technologists, managers, educators, research associates, microbiologists, public health practitioners and scientists to promote and develop and provide high quality laboratory and public health services, education, stakeholder outreach.

Key Responsibilities-

Provides laboratory expertise and advice involving the conduct, analysis and interpretation of laboratory tests for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease and disease outbreak situations, across the province, and the provision of specialty and reference services (e.g. specialized testing or in support of outbreak investigations) in an assigned area of specialization, and provides cover to other areas of the laboratory as required.
Provides consultation and specialized advisory services to PHO officials, operational management, PHO laboratory sites, physicians, other health care providers, hospital and private laboratories, medical microbiologists, Medical Officers of Health, and health units on the application of methodologies, the interpretation of laboratory results/analyses and the identification of organisms.
Develops, advises in, and approves standards, guidelines, methodologies and procedures used by provincial public health laboratories (central and regional laboratories) to promote the highest quality performance of diagnostic and reference services.
Collaborates with the Directors of Laboratory Operations to develop and implement strategic and operational plans, monitor and report on clinical outcomes and performance.
Supports the Chief, Microbiology and Laboratory Science and the Deputy Chief, Microbiology and Laboratory Science, the Chief Laboratory Operations Officer and other Directors of Operations in the management of emergency and exigent situations.
Represents PHO internal and external meetings, on task forces and advisory committees, participates on local, provincial, national and international advisory committees and builds linkages with University and College academic health science centres.
Collaborates on, and facilitates, research projects with provincial, national and international organizations and universities; obtains independent peer reviewed external research funding.
Provides educational services by teaching in post-secondary institutions and residency programs, presenting papers at conferences, giving seminars or presentations to professional or lay groups and supervising graduate students working at PHO.
Provides project leadership to assigned employees, scientists, research associates as required.
Supports the implementation of a PHO hub services across the province with the development of educational, academic, research and outreach capabilities enabling better communication and improved networks within the province’s Public Health Laboratories, thereby positioning the PHO to better respond to potential public health threats and to support disease diagnosis, prevention and treatment of organisms of public health importance.
Works with the PHO Laboratory Quality Management Team and assists as required with the development of quality policies, SOPs for diagnostic and reference testing and other quality systems documents.
Develops an independent program of research with peer-reviewed funding.

Knowledge and Skills-

Knowledge of scientific research principles to design, plan and execute research and other projects, to engage the use of laboratory testing and to make definitive decisions regarding test results.
Thorough understanding in development, implementation, monitoring of performance characteristics of diagnostic and/or reference testing.
Expertise and/or knowledge in cutting edge laboratory testing (i.e. genomics) is desirable
Skills to lead and coordinate major efforts in support of public health collaborations province-wide while building relationships and coaching others, and maintaining a patient focused practice consistent with PHO’s vision and values.
Eligible for (or currently holding) an academic appointment (i.e. assistant professor status or higher) at an Ontario University.
Eligible to secure research funding through competitive grants process (Tri-council research grants and other government program sources).

Education and Experience-

PHD (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university and Fellowship in Clinical Microbiology (FCCM) and/or a Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Microbiology (D(ABMM)), or Board Eligible (must pass FCCM and/or ABMM within three years of hire).
Experience in teaching and education at an academic health science center, at both the undergraduate teaching level and the supervision of research and graduate students.

Attributes and Competencies-

A strong team player, ensuring effective consultation and collaboration for effective service and public health delivery.
Written and oral communication skills to prepare and provide presentations, reports and scientific papers on a variety of topics of public health significance, including diagnostic methods and interpretation of diagnostic findings.
Oral, written and presentation skills to provide educational services, teaching and to engage in discussion with various stakeholders, clients and administrators.
Provides expert consultative service to PHO, to community and academic sector physicians, Medical Officers of Health, public health nurses/inspectors, hospitals, and laboratories concerning the identification and containment of outbreaks, the interpretation of laboratory results and the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Duration: Permanent

Hours of Work: Full time, 36.25 hours per week

Compensation Group: Individual Contributor

Posting Date: 05-16-2025

Closing Date: 05-31-2025

Please note: applications will be received no later than 11:59pm on the date preceding the closing date as indicated on the Job Requisition.

Note: Internal candidates will be considered first.

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted. Any information obtained during the course of recruitment will be used for employment recruitment purposes only, and not for any other purpose.

PHO is committed to ensuring equity in employment. Our goal is to create a diverse, inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to ensure our services and communications are accessible to all individuals. Any candidate who requires a job posting in an alternative format may email a request to [e-mail]. Once an applicant has been selected for an interview, they can inform PHO about any accommodations they may require at any stage of the interview process.