Deputy Chief, Microbiology and Laboratory Science

Location: PHO Corporate Office & Toronto Laboratory, 661 University Avenue, Toronto, ON

Department: Microbiology and Laboratory Science

The Role:

To provide consultation and specialized advisory services to senior public health officials, local and regional employees and managers, physicians, other health care providers, community and hospital laboratories on the application of laboratory testing and the interpretation of laboratory analyses. To contribute to a province-wide team with regional hubs of Public Health Ontario (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 support to the Vice President and Chief, Microbiology and Laboratory Services in overseeing the quality and value of the clinical, public health and reference testing & services offered by PHO in collaboration with the Director, Laboratory Operations, the medical, clinical, scientific, management and operational staff.
• Supports the Vice President and Chief, Microbiology and Laboratory Services in providing clinical and advisory services, and for the delivery of medical and clinical aspects of the delivery and prioritization of laboratory services and programs.
• 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.
• Primary driver in collaboration with the operational directors for developing and overseeing procedures and metrics for clinical and public health prioritization and translation of changes to routine delivery including those on the operational plan and supporting decisions as they move to and after the Test Review Advisory Committee.
• Accountable for clinical oversight of the Laboratory Quality Portfolio, and the Pathogen Preparedness Unit and its development, and will work with management assigned to the areas.
• 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.
• Participates in and provides clinical leadership for subsections of operational & strategic planning, delivery and reporting; with particular emphasis on driving the delivery of mandate-driven, high quality and cost effective testing and public health microbiology clinical programs and services.
• Provides clinical oversight for outbreak responses and emergency management initiatives as they arise.
• Supports the provision of response in an emergency, pursuant to responsibilities as delegated in an emergency response plan.
• Facilitates defined new and ongoing initiatives as assigned, by working with operation management and team members both internal and external to PHO to achieve the objectives of defined initiatives including:
  • The management of deliverables of high quality and clinical and public health value.
  • Responsible use of resources (people, capital expenditures and operational expenses).
  • Prioritizing workload.
  • On time achievement of team objectives.
  • Assist with mentoring, engagement and supervision of the clinical and medical microbiology staff, as per the policies, procedures and values of PHO.
• As a member of the PHO leadership, facilitates and enhances further integrative efforts and initiatives across departments and portfolios at PHO, and serves as a role model across the organization.
• Represents PHO, and the PHO Laboratory Portfolio, in the community; role models and represents the strategic interests of PHO.
• Participates at Laboratory Management meetings, Senior Leadership Meetings and participates in formal committee preparation for the Joint Liaison Committee, Board of Director meetings, and other meetings as required.
• As a member of the senior leadership team, acts as a key participant in developing public health strategies, planning and execution.
• Represents senior leadership on appropriate committees and work teams to advance PHO activities and to ensure broad external stakeholder input where appropriate, e.g. Senior Leadership Committee, Privacy Subcommittee, etc.
• Manages risk across programs against established risk system/model business or programs.
• Models organizational values and organizational culture and embeds values into areas of responsibility.
• Supports the Vice President and Chief, Microbiology and Laboratory Services in research program(s) within PHO laboratory, as required.
• 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.
• 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 the organizations vision and values.

Education and Experience –

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree or equivalent with certification in medical microbiology by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCPC) or Fellowship in Clinical Microbiology (FCCM) and/or a Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Microbiology (D (ABMM)).
• Minimum of five (5) years of working clinical laboratory settings with leadership role preferred.
• Must be eligible to apply for an academic appointment at an Ontario university.
• Research track record in obtaining external grants and peer-review publications in notable journals.
• Experience in leading research activities independently and/or with internal and external collaborators.
• Experience in teaching and education at an academic health science centre, at both the undergraduate teaching level and the supervision of research and graduate students.

Attributes and Competencies –

• 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. Provide educational services, teaching and to engage in discussion with various stakeholders, clients, and administrators. Represent PHO and/or provide professional expertise as a participant on local, provincial, national, and international advisory committees that are part of PHO’s mandate and activities.
• Demonstrates and supports the core values of the PHO by ensuring that the goals, objectives, and strategic priorities of PHO are met.

Duration: Permanent

Hours of Work: Full time, 36.25 hours per week

Compensation Group: Deputy Chief

Posting Date: 12-27-2024

Closing Date: 01-24-2025

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 HR_Inquiries@oahpp.ca. 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.