The post is newly created to ensure continuity and quality improvement in the Clinical Virology Service at Norwich. The appointee will provide expert clinical virology services across NNUHFT, James Paget University Hospital (JPUH), and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEHKL). The role involves participation in a 1 in 4 out-of-hours rota across Norfolk and is based at NNUHFT in Norwich. Flexible working arrangements and job share options are available, and the Trust encourages applications from all, including those with disabilities.
Main duties of the job
The Consultant Virologist post provides critical virology services across the EPA network, including specialist clinical advice, interpretation of complex laboratory results, and participation in clinical ward rounds at NNUHFT. The role underpins safe clinical decision-making and contributes to clinical governance, audit, service development, education, and research collaboration.
About us
Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!
The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.
We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity.
We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:
- Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
- Multi Faith prayer room at NNUH Colney Lane site
- Discounted gym memberships
- Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
- Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
- Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH Colney Lane site
- Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
- On-site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane
- On-site cafes offering staff discounts at NNUH Colney Lane
- Flexible staff bank
- Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics
Job responsibilities
The Consultant Virologist post provides critical virology services across the EPA network, including specialist clinical advice, interpretation of complex laboratory results, and participation in clinical ward rounds at NNUHFT. The role underpins safe clinical decision-making and contributes to clinical governance, audit, service development, education, and research collaboration.
In 2025, NNUH implemented opt-out bloodborne virus testing in the Emergency Department, generating an additional ~200 blood samples per day across three pathogen targets. This has resulted in a sustained increase in diagnostic activity and demand for timely specialist interpretation. Without sufficient consultant capacity, there is a risk of delayed result validation, slower clinical advice, and downstream impacts on patient management, particularly in acute and emergency care settings.
In parallel, the antenatal screening programme requires rapid turnaround of samples and consistent consultant-level clinical input across all three acute hospitals in Norfolk. Delays or capacity constraints in this pathway carry direct patient safety risks, including delayed identification and management of maternal infection and increased risk of vertical transmission.
Additional consultant capacity is therefore essential to maintain agreed turnaround times, ensure timely clinical advice, and mitigate clinical risk arising from increased service demand. The post also strengthens service resilience, supports safe delivery of a 1 in 4 on-call rota for out-of-hours clinical advice and infection prevention and control emergencies, and reduces the risk of burnout and single-point-of-failure within the virology consultant workforce.
Interview date - 2nd December 2026.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Full GMC Registration
- Entry on the GMC Specialist Register Via; oCCT (Proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of the interview) oCESR or oEuropean Community Rights
- Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists by examination in Virology.
- The appointee will hold the FRCPath part 2 in virology or evidence of equivalent qualification
- Further qualifications such as: MRCP or evidence of equivalent qualification, MSc, MD, PhD, DipHIC
- "Teaching the Teachers" or equivalent
- Capable of working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Enthusiasm for service development and teaching
- Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Previous responsibility for service improvement
Experience
- Applicants who are Nationals from another European country or elsewhere overseas would have to show equivalence to the 5 years training period in the National Health Service required for the specialty
- Experience in research or published papers in area of special interest
Interests
- Commitment to develop an appropriate special interest
Circumstances
- Flexible outlook on working hours
- Must live within a 15-mile radius of the base Trust or 30 minutes travelling time
- Ability to travel across multi-sites whilst public transport may not be available
Communications
- Ability to communicate effectively with clinical colleagues, colleagues in pathology and support staff
- Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods, and to respond to questions and queries
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Clinical Head of Department Microbiology
Consultant Virologist in Norwich employer: Geh
George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust is an exceptional employer, dedicated to providing high-quality patient care while fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. With benefits such as a generous annual leave policy, on-site nursery, and opportunities for professional development, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive in their roles. Located in Nuneaton, the Trust offers a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in the community, all while being part of a compassionate team that values effective communication and respect.
