Consultant in Health Protection or Specialist in Health Protection (National)

Public Health vacancies 

NHS Scotland currently has a number of vacancies spanning the multiple geographies across the country.  This vacancy refers to opportunities available within Public Health Scotland, operating on a national basis.  Please refer to our Public Health opportunities within the East of Scotland, the North of Scotland, the West of Scotland and national (Public Health Scotland) vacancies for additional details.

NHS Scotland 

NHS Scotland consists of 14 regional NHS Boards which are responsible for the protection and the improvement of their population’s health and for the delivery of frontline healthcare services, 7 Special NHS Boards, and 1 public health body who support the regional NHS Boards by providing a range of important specialist and national services. 

Details of each of NHS Scotland’s organisations can be accessed on the Scotland’s Health on the Web website. 

NHS Scotland: national roles 

You will be employed by Public Health Scotland; however, you will be expected to provide services to all Health Boards within NHS Scotland.

If you wish to be considered for a different region, please refer to the respective vacancy advert: 

• Consultant in Public Health Medicine / Consultant in Public Health – East of Scotland region 
• Consultant in Public Health Medicine / Consultant in Public Health – North of Scotland region
• Consultant in Public Health Medicine / Consultant in Public Health – West of Scotland region
• Consultant in Public Health Medicine / Consultant in Public Health – national (Public Health Scotland)

If you wish to be considered for more than one region, you will be required to submit a separate application for each region you would like to apply for. 

Public health in Scotland 

Public Health Scotland (PHS) is Scotland’s lead national agency for improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of all of Scotland’s people.  The vision of PHS is “a Scotland where everybody thrives”. The focus is on increasing healthy life expectancy and reducing premature mortality. This is achieved through the use of data, intelligence and a place-based approach to lead and deliver Scotland’s public health priorities. 

Scotland’s public health priorities were established in 2018, following the publication of the Scottish Government’s landmark report: Public Health Priorities for Scotland. 

• Priority 1: A Scotland where we live in vibrant, healthy and safe places and communities 
• Priority 2: A Scotland where we flourish in our early years 
• Priority 3: A Scotland where we have good mental wellbeing 
• Priority 4: A Scotland where we reduce the use of and harm from alcohol, tobacco and other drugs  
• Priority 5: A Scotland where we have a sustainable, inclusive economy with equality of outcomes for all 
• Priority 6: A Scotland where we eat well, have a healthy weight and are physically active 

Taking into account the above priorities, PHS has recently published its Strategic Plan 2020-2023.  This strategy outlines how the agency will turn the above six priorities into opportunities whilst focussing on: 

• COVID-19 
• Mental wellbeing 
• Community and place 
• Poverty and children 

This truly is an exciting time to join our highly successful, established and forward-thinking health service.  With experienced and committed public health teams navigating and leading on significant, and high-profile, programmes of work, there is never a better time to join our public health communities within NHS Scotland.

The role 

As a Consultant in Health Protection or Specialist in Health Protection, you will be expected to manage multiple and changing demands, whilst adhering to local and national deadlines.   

A high level of intellectual rigour, negotiation and motivation skills and flexibility are required to deal with complex public health issues, to advise and make recommendations regarding services and patient care.  A high level of tact and diplomacy is required and an ability to understand other cultures to enable effective working across organisational boundaries and influencing without authority. 

As a highly knowledgeable professional, you will use a range of effective strategic leadership, organisational and management skills, to influence and shape Scottish Government, national and regional strategies.

Job plan

Successful candidates will be given a high degree of autonomy and time to undertake supporting professional activities including training and teaching or to pursue sub-speciality interests.

The posts are advertised based on 10 Programmed Activities (full-time) with the option of an Indicative Split: 8.0 Direct Clinical Care (DCC) and 2.0 Supporting Professional Activities (SPA). 

As a forward-thinking, close-knit collaboration, we welcome the opportunity to negotiate job plans, where possible to accommodate sub-speciality interests as well as also offering opportunities to pursue academic and clinical teaching interests due to the close links with Scotland’s Higher Education Institutes.

For successful candidates, we will, as part of the onboarding process, discuss the design of your job plan to reflect your aspirations whether you are an experienced consultant looking for a new challenge or you are coming out of training into your first consultant post.

We welcome applications for candidates looking to work less than full-time hours and would actively encourage an application.   

Professional registration

To be considered for these roles, you must have current registration with the General Medical Council, General Dental Council or UK Public Health Register: 

GMC-registered professionals 

• Inclusion in the GMC Full Register; and 
• Inclusion in the GMC Specialist Register with a license to practice (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview) 

GDC-registered professionals

• Inclusion in the GDC Specialist List (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview) 

UKPHR-registered professionals

• Inclusion in the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) for Public Health Specialists.

Please refer to the job description and person specification for the full requirements of the role.

Apply

If you are ready to explore the opportunity to take your career to the next level with a fresh start somewhere new; then we would welcome your application. We are also keen to hear from candidates who may not be immediately available but may be considering a career change in the near future.

We look forward to receiving your application should you decide to apply.

Applications from UK, EEA and non-EEA candidates will be welcomed.

The closing date for applications is Sunday, 31st January 2021.

Interviews will be scheduled for late-February 2021.

Further information

For further information and contact details, please visit: https://publichealthrecruitment.nhs.scot.

Please note: we are not accepting enquires from recruitment agencies at this stage.