Consultant Medical Virologist

UK Health Security Agency; Bristol; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A national public health agency in Bristol seeks a Clinical Scientist for a fixed-term consultant post. This 37.5 hours per week role involves clinical consultations, laboratory result management, and public health duties. Applicants will enjoy professional independence and be accountable to senior management. The agency promotes an inclusive workplace, welcoming diverse candidates and considering flexible working arrangements. Immediate start available with a focus on innovative practices in virology.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Clinical and professional independence, accountable to the Clinical Head of Virology.
• Experience in clinical consultations and laboratory work.
• Ability to manage and train staff effectively.

Responsibilities

• Conduct clinical consultations and provide expert advice.
• Interpret and report laboratory test results.
• Participate in public health duties like outbreak management.

Skills

Clinical consultations

Test selection and interpretation

Validation and troubleshooting

Teaching and training staff

Infection prevention and control advice

Public health duties

Education

Medical degree

Job description

Overview

This consultant post has been created to cover a period of maternity leave, to support the regional clinical virology service and contribute to the mission and strategic goals of UKHSA, reflecting the central investment in public health and clinical virology. This post offers an exciting opportunity to work in a dynamic, innovative, nationally recognised service, based at UKHSA South-West Regional Laboratory, Bristol. This post is a medical 10 programmed activity / 37.5 hour clinical scientist fixed term post available immediately, with an allowance for work done on call. The departmental and service delivery needs are for the equivalent of a whole-time post, however part-time and flexible working will be considered. The clinical virology service is currently delivered on a 24/7 basis by five full time consultant staff. The employer is UKHSA, and the base site is Southmead Hospital, Bristol. The appointee will have clinical and professional independence and will be directly managerially accountable to the Clinical Head of Virology, and through them to the Clinical Lead Severn Infection Sciences. Professional accountability will be through the line management structure of UKHSA Specialised Microbiology and Laboratories directorate, and to the relevant regulatory body.

Responsibilities

• Clinical consultations
• Test selection, interpretation and reporting
• Validation, troubleshooting laboratory results
• Ward rounds (mostly virtual; regular; ad hoc)
• Multidisciplinary meetings
• Public health duties – notifications, outbreak advice, enhanced surveillance
• Infection prevention and control advice
• Clinical protocol development
• Teaching and training a broad range of staff, including acting as a consultant trainer
• Managerial duties, including membership of internal operational groups such as departmental and protocols group, ad hoc reactive topic specific management
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Audit
• Research and development in medical virology when possible
• Appraisal / revalidation

Employment Details

Clinical scientist fixed term post, 37.5 hours per week, medical 10 programmed activity, immediate start, allowance for on-call work. Part‑time and flexible working will be considered.

Our Values

We pride ourselves as an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promotes 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.