Lead Microbiologist

About the opportunity

Mater Pathology is seeking applications for a Lead Microbiologist  to join them. This role is a senior role with responsibility for all activity within the Microbiology department of Mater Pathology.

Mater Pathology is seeking a leader to guide and support the service in the fields of Microbiology (including Molecular Microbiology) and Serology of Infectious Diseases. The role will provide clinical governance and supervision within the scope of practice including performance monitoring of quality, safety and risk management. The successful applicant will have direct management of and delegation of duties to the Medical Microbiologists team, and will work closely with the Microbiology, Molecular and Serology scientists. The Lead Microbiologist reports directly to the Medical Director of Mater Pathology.

The Lead Microbiologist will lead the microbiology department and support the Mater Hospitals in Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS), including representing Mater Pathology on the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQH) Antimicrobial Use and Resistance Australia (AURA) project.

What you’ll be doing

As the Lead Microbiologist you will perform the following:

Provide overall clinical supervision and medical expertise to the routine diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory, including Molecular Microbiology and Serology of Infectious Diseases.

Clinical governance of the Microbiology Laboratory, including performance monitoring of quality, safety, and risk management.

Direct management of and delegation of duties to the Medical Microbiologist team.

Contribute to development, improvement and introduction of laboratory tests

Managing the reporting of results in a timely fashion including timely validation and reporting of results from other laboratories as required.

Interpret and communicate critical results.

Advise clinicians on the interpretation of results and further investigation of the patient.

Assist clinicians in the quality use of pathology by advising on the most effective and efficient program of tests, including pre-analytical and post-analytical components.

Arrange urgent investigations as required and liaise with appropriate laboratory staff. 

Provide advice to the laboratory to ensure optimum investigation of clinical specimens. 

Participate in daily laboratory rounds.

Provide graduate and undergraduate training, including acting as principal supervisor for Microbiology Registrar training.

Oversee research opportunities including contributing to translational medicine and research opportunities within the laboratory, as well as collaborating with research teams in the wider Mater Health Services and outside the organisation.

Represent Microbiology at Mater Healthcare Acquired Infection Advisory Group or arrange a delegate to attend.

Attend the Infection Prevention and Control Meetings or arrange a delegate to attend. 

Oversee investigations of laboratory error, complaints and improvements using established systems. 

Attend intensive care rounds in Public and Private ICUs as per pre-determined roster. 

Guide or advise reporting to the relevant Public Health Unit of urgently notifiable conditions in accordance with Schedule 2 (Immediate notifications) of the Public Health Regulation 2005.

Provide expertise to Mater Pathology on the relevant notification requirements for notifiable conditions in accordance with the Public Health Act and liaise with Pathology IT to assist with the systems for automated notification.

Manage and participate in an on-call roster for out-of-hours service.

Provide advice to the Executive Management of Mater Health Services on issues that may arise requiring expert Microbiologist input, such as outbreaks and biological exposures.

About you

Although full-time applicants will be preferred we will consider applicants with dual microbiology and infectious disease qualifications, who could perform the role in a job sharing capacity.

To be successful in this role, you are required to have:

MBBS or equivalent

FRCPA (Microbiology)

Registration with AHPRA as a Specialist in Microbiology

Experience working in fields relevant to the scope of a Consultant Microbiologist, particularly molecular diagnostics, serology and general microbiology.

Desirable characteristics include:

Relevant management experience and/or training.

A high level of communication skills and initiative in working in a complex laboratory environment.

The ability to work effectively and co-operatively as both manager and member of a medical team.

Ability to use clinical judgement and knowledge to deal with unexpected, atypical and complex work. 

Ability to manage ongoing continuing professional development requirements. 

Ability to contribute to the education and training of clinical and scientific colleagues .

Publication or participation in research relevant to the scope of practice.

Experience in use of contemporary technology such as MALDI-TOF MS and microbial genomics

Experience in perinatal autopsy microbiology.

About the organisation

Mater Pathology is the oldest pathology service in the Brisbane and surrounding areas. Initially established and supervised by the Sisters of Mercy in 1919, Mater Pathology has grown into a multi-faceted and technologically advanced laboratory service serving patients, doctors and hospitals. The service invests all profits back into patient care and is part of Mater Misericordia Limited.

Mater Pathology is proud of its history but also is recognised for its experience in highly complex pathology. The service is delivered by dedicated staff that understand healthcare such as our highly skilled specialist pathologists, scientists, technicians, laboratory assistants, collection phlebotomists, couriers and other support personnel that ensure you get the correct result on time.

Our collection centres are located in over 34 suburbs supporting local communities. In addition, Mater Pathology also offers a 24 hour collection service out of the South Brisbane Mater Adults Hospital for patient convenience.

Why join us?

Mater is Queensland’s largest and most innovative not-for-profit healthcare service, providing care for almost 700,000 patients a year across a network of 11 hospitals.

We are a leader in healthcare, education and research — and that’s because we employ exceptional people. #MAKEYOURMATERMOVE

Increase your take-home pay via Salary Packaging by allocating applicable living expenses directly from your pre-taxable income

Access to package meal and entertainment expenses via Salary Packaging

Access to leading education and professional development through Mater Education

Flexible working arrangements, including work from home options where suitable

Access to our Employee Assistance Program and on-site pastoral care team

Discounts to local and national businesses/venues for dining, retail, travel & accommodation, other

Access to on-site, discounted parking

Discounts at various on-campus cafés and coffee venues

Closing date for applications is Thursday 6 April 2023.

It is now a mandatory requirement of employment at the Mater that you are and remain fully vaccinated against COVID-19.