Medical Scientist Senior, University Hospital

Details of the Service

The Department of Clinical Microbiology at CUH is a consultant-led laboratory providing a comprehensive range of diagnostic services, including routine Bacteriology, Mycobacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology, Infectious Disease Serology, and Molecular Diagnostics. In addition to diagnostics, the department offers expert consultation in microbiology, infectious diseases, antibiotic stewardship, and the provision of statistical and cumulative data to support infectious disease surveillance and monitoring.

As part of the HSE South West health region, the laboratory maintains strong academic affiliations with the Medical and Science Faculties at University College Cork (UCC) and educational partnerships with the Munster Technological University (MTU) Biological Sciences Department. Beyond diagnostic services, the laboratory actively participates in teaching medical and biomedical science students and collaborates on research projects with clinical colleagues.

The laboratory is accredited by the Royal College of Pathologists for specialist training in Medical Microbiology and operates a Quality Management System accredited by the Irish National Accreditation Board to ISO 15189:2022 standards.

The Department provides this service to CUH inpatients and outpatients, to patients in primary and continuing care and for selected tests to associated hospitals in the region.

Committed to continuous improvement, the laboratory actively explores and integrates new technologies and platforms to meet and exceed user expectations. All staff members are encouraged to engage with and embrace these innovations.

Successful operation depends on a collaborative and dynamic interaction among clerical, scientific, clinical, and nursing teams, supported by close ties with third-level institutions.

Purpose of the Post

The purpose of the post is to actively participate in the management and delivery of a high-quality service within the Microbiology Department to ensure compliance with ISO 15189:2022.

• Provide strategic, clinical and scientific leadership which results in the delivery of an accredited, clinically relevant, efficient, quality assured and patient centred service.
• Develop a shared sense of commitment and participation among all staff in planning and development of the service.
• In co-operation with the Chief Medical Scientist, will participate in the management of the Microbiology Laboratory Service, in a way that supports the clinical needs of patients and is consistent with the mission, vision, values and strategic plan of the organisation.

The post holder is expected to work under the direction of the Chief Medical Scientist and deputise for the Chief Medical Scientist when required.

Key Working Relationships

Medical Scientist Senior, is an integral member of the laboratory team and together with the Chief Medical Scientist (Microbiology) and the Consultant Microbiologist team, will ensure that the Microbiology services are provided to support the clinical needs of the patients in a manner that is consistent with the mission, values and strategic plan of the hospital.

For further information about the role, contact

Ms. Louise Barry,

Chief Medical Scientist, Department of Clinical Microbiology,

Cork University Hospital

Tel:021 4922502

E-mail: louise.barry1@hse.ie