Consultant Microbiologist

Main duties of the job include joining the microbiology “duty day” rota, providing senior supervision and support to trainees, fellows and the laboratory in managing significant microbiology results, complex clinical queries (by telephone and EPIC referral system), and authorisation of results. Ward‑based consults are encouraged to optimise patient management and outcomes. The post holder will also be expected to provide support for the interpretation and authorisation of serology results, working in conjunction with other consultants and clinical scientists.

The successful candidate will provide regular microbiology support to the adult Critical Care Units as part of a team of Infection Consultants, and if the candidate has sufficient ID experience, will join the ID consultation service, ID outpatient clinic and OPAT services on a rotational basis. All infection consultants have a responsibility to promote antimicrobial stewardship in their area of clinical cover, and contribute to prospective audit and feedback to the clinical teams.

He/she will also join a team of other consultants with dedicated PAs to cover infection control and provide support to the Director of Infection Prevention and Control and the IPC nursing team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• Together with other colleagues, provide a high‑quality care service to patients, including all aspects of treatment and relevant management duties for the proper functioning of the Care Group.
• Shared responsibility with other colleagues for covering periods of annual leave and short‑term sickness.
• Provide clinical supervision of junior medical/dental practitioners as a shared responsibility with other consultant colleagues.
• Responsible for carrying out teaching, examination and accreditation duties as required and contributing to CPD and clinical governance initiatives.
• Responsible for outpatient clinic commitments in peripheral hospitals as agreed with the Care Group’s management team.
• Contribute to the Care Group’s research interests in accordance with the Trust’s R&D framework.
• Contribute to the audit programmes, Morbidity and Mortality, Clinical Governance programmes and Learning from Deaths.
• Take an active role in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of the Care Group’s Business Plan.
• Conduct all activities within the contracted level of service and operating plan for service(s).
• Exercise professional leadership for all staff working in the specialty.
• Work in conjunction with clinical and other professional colleagues to ensure that the productivity of staff within the specialty is maintained and their job satisfaction is enhanced.
• Undertake Care Group management duties as agreed with the Care Group/Departmental Manager/Clinical Director.
• Be aware of, and comply with, all Trust infection prevention and control policies.
• Prepare for and undertake the protective interventions that you are responsible for in a manner that is consistent with evidence‑based practice and maintaining patient safety.
• Contribute equally with other Consultant colleagues to providing Consultant led 7‑day services.

Person specification:

• Qualifications & Higher Education: Registerable medical qualification (MBChB, MBBS or equivalent), FRCPath (UK) or evidence of equivalent qualification, MRCP (UK) or evidence of equivalent qualification, other higher degree or diploma (e.g., MD or PhD), Diploma in Hospital Infection Control (or equivalent).
• Registration: Full and specialist registration with the GMC (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview) in Medical Microbiology +/‑ Infectious Diseases. UK trained applicants must hold a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview. Non‑UK trained applicants will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT.
• Training and Experience: Wide experience in all aspects of Microbiology and Infection, culminating in award of CCT or equivalent, experience of working with the clinical and laboratory aspects of Medical Microbiology, specialist training in Microbiology or Joint Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, experience in infection control, laboratory management, infectious diseases, delivering outpatient antimicrobial therapy, antimicrobial stewardship, and managing infection in specialist services such as neurosurgery and transplant.
• Administration: Experience in day to day organisation of Infection services in a busy Teaching Hospital, familiar with current structure of Health Service and conversant with recent initiatives and changes.
• Management and Leadership: Able to demonstrate leadership capability within multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Audit, Research and Publications: Thorough understanding of principles of medical audit, must have undertaken and completed audit projects, experience of clinical research, publication of relevant review or research articles or case reports.
• Teaching: Experience of undergraduate and post‑graduate teaching and exam preparation, teaching skills course/qualification.

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.