Clinical Microbiologist - Greater Toronto Area

Location: Toronto-661 University · Department: Microbiology and Laboratory Science · This posting is to fill a current vacancy. · The Role · To provide consultation and expertise to senior public health officials, local and regional employees and managers, physicians, other healt ...

Job description

Location: Toronto-661 University

Department: Microbiology and Laboratory Science

This posting is to fill a current vacancy.

The Role
To provide consultation and expertise to senior public health officials, local and regional employees and managers, physicians, other health care providers and private laboratories on the application of laboratory testing and the interpretation of laboratory analyses.

To contribute to a province-wide team with regional hubs of PHO technologists, managers, educators, research associates, microbiologists, and scientists to promote and develop education, stakeholder outreach and research, and in collaboration with PHO academic, health unit, and PHO partners.

Key Responsibilities –

• Provides laboratory, scientific, technical, clinical, and regulatory 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 expert advice and recommendations to PHO officials, operational management, physicians, other health care providers, hospital and private laboratories, medical microbiologists, Medical Officers of Health, health units and regional laboratories, 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) and other laboratories in the system 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.
• Collaborates on, and facilitates, research projects with provincial, national, and international organizations and universities; where appropriate, seeks 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 Quality Management Team and assists as required with the development of quality policies, SOPs for diagnostic and reference testing and other quality systems documents.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of the department's mandate and operating procedures by taking a significant role in the identification of new programs and projects that fit PHO's mandate; suggests areas for improvement in internal processes along with possible solutions.
• Models organizational values and organizational culture and embeds values into area of responsibility.
• Represents the Unit, its initiatives and services and PHO in consultations, relationships and collaborative partnerships with government, other provincial agencies, non-governmental organizations, professional associations and other academic and community partners. Liaises with Ministry staff on planning and performance matters where applicable.
• Keeps abreast of the latest research and developments in area of specialty within PHO and at other agencies.
• Supports PHO in the provision of response in an emergency, pursuant to responsibilities as delegated in an emergency response plan; supports PHO's 24/7 incident and emergency response through shared participation in on-call schedule, as required.

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 two 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

Compensation Range: $123, $154,789.00

Posting Date:

Closing Date:

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 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.