College/Management Unit UCD
National Virus Reference Laboratory
Post Title & Subject Area (if relevant) NVRL Director (Clinical
Services)
Post Duration Permanent
Reports to Chair, Presidents NVRL Committee
HR Reference No. Teresa Donaghy
HR Administrator 005848
Position Summary
The NVRL provides a national diagnostic and
reference service for clinicians investigating virus infections from both
public and private hospitals, specialist clinics and general practitioners in
Ireland. The NVRL is a demand led service that offers approximately 120 assays
for the diagnosis of at least 45 different pathogens. The laboratory is
currently accredited by Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Ltd., and the
World Health Organisation as a National Laboratory for Poliovirus and
Influenza, Measles and Rubella. The laboratory provides a 24/7 clinical and
technical on call service to deal with urgent testing requirements and to
support the National Transplant Programme. The Director is responsible for the
clinical direction, leadership, strategic development, overall operation, and
administration of the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL). The
successful candidate must be a registered medical practitioner and be listed on
the Specialist Register of the Medical Council of Ireland.
Principal
Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical
Leadership
• To oversee and provide a quality driven,
cost –effective, efficient diagnostic virology service
to the clinical users of the laboratory.
• To provide clinical guidance and
interpretation for the clinical users of the laboratory.
• To maintain and improve the clinical
effectiveness and quality of services through audit,
review and the application of scientific
critical problem solving.
• To ensure that clinical governance needs
are met in regard to the service.
• To provide advice and professional
opinion on the appropriateness of diagnostic procedures
and the interpretation of data.
• To monitor utilisation patterns of
laboratory services and advise on developing trends in
clinical service needs.
• To ensure the laboratory maintains the
expertise and capacity to investigate emerging
infections and novel pathogens.
• To recommend annual operational budget
for board approval and manage the organisation’s
resources within those budget guidelines.
• To attend and present at national and
international meetings.
Professional Relationship
• To liaise with hospitals and other
medical professionals to further patient care.
• To cooperate with infection control teams
on a local, regional and national basis including
liaison with public health specialists in
the investigation and prevention of communicable
diseases.
Academic
• To participate in teaching virology and
infectious diseases to medical students.
• To develop an independent research
programme in subjects related to NVRL activity.
Personnel
• To provide leadership and guidance for
all staff at the NVRL and operate as a leader and
influencer in the university across all
levels.
• To ensure that there are appropriate numbers
of staff with the required education, training
and competence to meet the needs and
requirements of service users.
• To oversee the supervision and training
of medical staff (and clinical scientists training for
FRCPath) in virology, and medical microbiology
trainees on agreed rotation in virology.
• To perform annual joint reviews with the
relevant staff.
• To ensure staff work in a safe laboratory
environment in compliance with good practice and
national requirements.
• To chair appropriate management meetings.
Quality Assurance
• To create and implement all strategies,
policies and best practices needed to support the
optimal performance of the laboratory.
• To oversee the implementation of quality
assurance and quality control programmes that
conform to the requirements of ISO15189.
• To be a responsible for maintaining full
accreditation of the laboratory.
• To ensure adherence to all codes and
guidelines relating to professional practice.
• To ensure compliance with all relevant
legislation.
Selection
Criteria
Selection criteria outline the
qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful
candidate would need to demonstrate for
successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post.
Applications will be assessed on the basis
of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.r
Mandatory
• FRCPath in Medical Microbiology or
Virology, or equivalent qualification
• Fully Registered (or eligible for Full
Registration) in the Specialist Division with the Medical
Council of Ireland.
• Membership of RCPI or Equivalent.
• Previous experience at Consultant level
in a Clinical Virology Laboratory.
• Experience in molecular diagnostics and
genotypic resistance analysis.
• Excellent working knowledge of Irish
Healthcare Services and proven track record of working
in such or a similar setting.
• Strong working knowledge of Laboratory
Accreditation (ISO15189, CPA).
• Excellent leadership capabilities and
managerial skills.
• Forward thinking individual possessing
exceptional problem solving skills.
• Excellent organisational and
communication skills.
• High capacity for responsibility and
individual initiative.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and
motivational qualities.
• Ability to lead change.
Further
Information for Candidates
Supplementary
information
Relocation
Expenses: Will be applied in accordance with the UCD
Relocation Policy
Informal
Enquiries ONLY to:
Name: Professor William Hall
Title: NVRL Director
Telephone: 01 716 1236
