Consultant Virologist in Norwich

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.

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 - 29th April 2026.

Person Specification:

• Qualifications:

• Essential: 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.
• Desirable: 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.

• Essential: Good communicator, capable of working in a multi-disciplinary team, enthusiasm for service development and teaching, demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Desirable: Previous responsibility for service improvement, management skills.

• Essential: 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.
• Desirable: Experience in research or published papers in area of special interest.

• Essential: Commitment to develop an appropriate special interest.

• Essential: 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.

• Essential: 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.
• Desirable: Good presentation skills.

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer name: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Address: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UY