Menu

Medical Editor for UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations (SMIs) in Virology

Medical Editor for UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations (SMIs) in Virology
8 January 2019
Due to the considerable workload PHE are looking for a second medical editor to edit UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations (UK SMIs) for virology


The following post is an honorary appointment with a three year term of office (extendable where appropriate).

UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations (UK SMIs) are a comprehensive referenced collection of recommended algorithms and procedures for clinical microbiology. They consist of:

? Syndromic algorithms, the overarching framework to which other UK SMIs relate, describe the investigations chosen at the pre-analytical (clinical syndrome) stage.
? Recommended investigations for microbiology including minimum testing algorithms for virology (analytical and post analytical).
? Clinical guidance covering the clinical background, differential diagnosis, and appropriate investigation of particular clinical conditions.
? Quality guidance describing essential laboratory methodologies to underpin quality eg assay validation

The UK SMIs are developed in line with the Appraisal of Guidelines Research & Evaluation (AGREE) instrument http://www.agreetrust.org/resource-centre/agree-ii/ used for NICE accreditation.

PHE is seeking applicants from members of Institute of Biomedical Science. Applicants will have experience in editing scientific literature and currently working within clinical microbiology. Applicants will be expected to have an understanding of clinical or medical microbiology and the ability to provide editing across a wide range of diagnostic microbiology. Applicants should be able to demonstrate the ability to edit a number of UK SMIs to tight deadlines. The editor will work directly with the Standards Unit team.

The job description and person specification are below for further information. For background information please access the following link.

If you would like to speak to a member of the team to discuss this post please call on tel: 0208 327 6478. Applications should be submitted to standards@phe.gov.uk by the 15th February 2019 and should include a covering letter and curriculum vitae.

 

JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job title

 

Medical editor for UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations (UK SMIs).

 

Reports to

 

Chair of the relevant UK SMI Working Group and Head of Standards Unit.

Location

 

N/A

Pay band

 

The post is an honorary appointment.

Term of Office

Three years (extendable where appropriate).

 

 

Introduction

Public Health England exists to protect and improve the nation’s health and wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities. We do this through world-leading science, knowledge and intelligence, advocacy, partnerships and the delivery of specialist public health services. We are an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, and a distinct delivery organisation with operational autonomy. We provide government, local government, the NHS, Parliament, industry and the public with evidence-based professional, scientific and delivery expertise and support.
 

BACKGROUND

UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations (UK SMIs) are a comprehensive referenced collection of recommended algorithms and procedures for clinical microbiology. They consist of:

  • Syndromic algorithms, that are the overarching framework that relate to other UK SMIs, and describe the investigations chosen at the pre-analytical (clinical syndrome) stage
  • Recommended investigations for microbiology.
  • Quality guidance that describes laboratory methodologies to underpin quality, like assay validation, quality assurance and understanding uncertainty of measurement

NICE has accredited the process used to produce UK SMIs. The accreditation is applicable to all guidance produced since October 2009. The process for the development of UK SMIs is certified to ISO 9001:2015.

 

To maintain NICE accreditation, compliance with the accreditation domain for editorial independence should be maintained which states ‘consideration should be given to the evidence for the recommendations, acknowledgement of possible conflicts of interest, the credibility of the guidance in general and their recommendations in particular.

 

The UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations development process requires a minimum of one editor at any given time. These are medical editors with experience of microbiology/virology/infectious diseases as appropriate.

JOB SUMMARY

To provide independent editing of the UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations before publication.

Communication and key working relationships

Work closely with:

  • Head of the Standards Unit
  • Staff within the Standards Unit
  • Chairs of the UK SMI Steering Committee and Working Group.

 

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide a clinical overview by checking the UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations to ensure the scientific writing is clear and precise. 

Revise scientific language for usage, flow, and clarity by reducing awkward phrasing, biased language, and jargon that is inappropriate for the publication.

Ensure that facts, data, and scientific units have been used consistently.

Query problems with logic, organisation, and missing information.

Question the formatting of the documents particularly the layout of the references to comply with standard convention. 

Whereas the medical editor is not expected to proofread the UK SMI documents, drawing attention to typographical errors will be welcomed.

Meet the timelines for editing individual UK SMIs (4-6 weeks) and send back to the Standards Unit for publication deadlines to be met.

Work with the Standards Unit on developing and maintaining the editorial process for UK SMIs.

Support, on completion of the term of office, the incoming editor through the provision of advice and de-briefing.

Other

At the time of receipt the UK SMI will have gone through the rigorous UK SMI development process in line with the Appraisal of Guidelines Research & Evaluation (AGREE) instrument http://www.agreetrust.org/resource-centre/agree-ii/ used for NICE accreditation.  Significant changes to content cannot be made without referring the document back to the appropriate chair.  This reflects the consensus nature of the decisions made by the working groups. The editor can make scientific queries or suggestions on the draft UK SMIs for consideration by the chair; they should make it clear that such comments are for consideration and are not normal ‘edits’. The editor is not expected to check the references or make substantive changes to the document without the agreement of the chair.

To maintain the NICE accreditation domain for editorial independence, medical editors are not required to attend UK SMI Working Group meetings or hold the position of chair of a UK SMI Working Group.

Professional development

  • You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, whilst maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements. 

Medical editor for UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations (UK SMIs)

Pay Band

 

N/A

Salary range

 

The post is an honorary appointment.

Responsible to

 

Chair of the relevant UK SMI Working Group and Head of Standards Unit.

 

 

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the Department and the Organisation.

 

 

Person Specification

                                               Area

 

Essential

 

Desirable

 

Assessment

Qualifications

A recognised qualification in microbiology/ virology/ infectious diseases as appropriate

 

 

A

Knowledge and Experience

Experience and knowledge of diagnostic microbiology[1].

 

 

A/I

Experience of using and contributing to UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations.

 

 

 √

A/I

Experience in editing scientific literature before publication.

 

A/I

Skills and requirements

Knowledge of the work of UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations and the Steering Committee and/or UK SMI Working Groups.

 

 

A/I

Good communication and interpersonal skills to develop a positive and professional relationship with:

  • Head of Standards Unit and other Standards Unit staff
  • Chair of the Working Groups and other members
  • Members of other related Working Groups

 

 

A/I

Able to devote the necessary time and effort to the position.

 

 

A/I

Independent judgement

 

 

A/I

Ability to meet deadlines

 

 

A/I

Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

 

 

A/I

Equality and Diversity

Needs to have a thorough understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

 

 

A/I

 

*Assessment will take place with reference to the following information

 

A=Application form              I=Interview                            T=Test                C=Certificate

               

         

 



[1] Microbiology is used as a generic term to include the two GMC-recognised specialties of Medical Microbiology (which includes Bacteriology, Mycology and Parasitology) and Medical Virology.

 

Back to news listing