Director - Microbiology

Agency Department of Health Work unit Territory Pathology

Job title Director - Microbiology Designation Senior Staff Specialist Clinician SMO2.1 - SMO2.3

Job type Full time Duration Ongoing

Salary $270,033 - $298,705 Location Darwin

Position number 798 RTF 358120 Closing 28/10/2026

Contact officer Associate Prof Rob Baird, Director Territory Pathology on 08 8922 8888 or [email protected]

About the agency http://www.health.nt.gov.au/

Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=358120

APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF
YOUR TERTIARY QUALIFICATIONS.
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates

people with disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or

job, please discuss this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go

to the OCPE website.

Primary objective
Provide senior clinical leadership, governance and strategic direction for Microbiology and Serology across Territory Pathology,

ensuring safe, high-quality, clinically responsive and cost-effective services across the Northern Territory.

The Director provides clinical oversight of quality, safety, performance, accreditation and service development, ensuring

compliance with relevant legislation and NPAAC, NATA, RCPA and ISO 15189:2022 requirements.

Context statement
The Director of Microbiology works collaboratively with Pathologists, Supervising Scientists, laboratory managers, quality

personnel, Public Health, Infectious Diseases, Infection Prevention and Control and Department of Health leadership.

The role provides specialist clinical leadership across metropolitan, regional and remote services, including infectious disease

diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance, molecular microbiology, serology, outbreak response and emerging infectious diseases.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Provide clinical oversight of Microbiology services across metropolitan, regional and remote locations, ensuring consistent

standards and appropriate access to testing.

• Provide specialist clinical advice on diagnostic microbiology, antimicrobial susceptibility, antimicrobial resistance,

molecular testing and emerging infectious diseases.

• Maintain oversight of accreditation, quality systems, audits, incidents, complaints, risks, non-conformances and corrective

actions. Ensure compliance with NPAAC, NATA, RCPA and ISO 15189:2022 requirements.

• Provide clinical oversight of the validation, verification and implementation of new tests, methodologies and technologies.
• Collaborates to lead quality improvement, risk management and service development initiatives.
• Support the development of sustainable and resilient Microbiology services across the Northern Territory
• Escalate significant clinical, patient safety, quality and accreditation risks through appropriate governance structures.
• Provide specialist advice to Territory Pathology and Department of Health leadership on Microbiology and infectious

disease matters.

Selection criteria
Essential

• Fellowship of the RCPA in Microbiology, with AHPRA specialist registration or equivalent RCPA-recognised qualification.
• Significant consultant experience at Senior Staff Specialist, Clinical Director, Medical Director, Head of Department or

equivalent level.

• Demonstrated senior leadership in microbiology, clinical governance, quality, patient safety and accreditation.
• Strong knowledge of NPAAC, NATA and RCPA requirements, including accreditation and audit.
• Experience in quality improvement, risk and incident management.
• Contemporary expertise in molecular diagnostics, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and antimicrobial resistance.

Desirable

• Previous Clinical Director, Medical Director, Head of Microbiology or equivalent experience.

• Experience in an Australian public pathology service.

• Experience with NPAAC/NATA/RCPA accreditation assessments.

• Experience in public health microbiology, outbreak response or antimicrobial resistance surveillance.

• Experience implementing new microbiology technologies and services.

Further information
Positions may be subject to pre-employment checks such as immunisation requirements, working with children clearance notice

and criminal history checks. A criminal history will not exclude an applicant from this position unless it is a relevant criminal history.

For immunisation requirements - Category A (direct contact with blood or body substances) or Category B (indirect contact with

blood or body substances), check with contact person for requirements.