In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. PHSA is committed to cultural safety and humility in health services delivery for First Nations and Indigenous People in BC.

Reporting to the Medical Director of the BC Centre for Disease Control Public Health Laboratory (BCCDC PHL) and the PHSA Medical Affairs Executive Medical Director, IPAC, Medical Staff Safety and Wellness, the Medical Microbiologist and IPAC physician carries out responsibilities related to the continuous quality improvement of client and population care, infection control, public health outbreak surveillance and response, technological innovation, education, and applied research, in accordance with professional standards, practice guidelines, and the codes of ethics for health care professionals.

The Medical Microbiologist specializes in disease screening, detection, monitoring, and surveillance across the prevention, care, and treatment continuum. The role works with Medical Health Officers, Environmental Health Officers and other public health care providers, sharing with them the responsibility for the health of their clients and communities, particularly in the context of surveillance, threat anticipation, detection, and outbreak response.