About this role
Job summary
We're delighted you're considering joining the Consultant Microbiologist/Infection team.
We are a team of 7 Infection Specialists , 4 microbiology doctors in training and have a wider team of microbiology laboratory staff, antimicrobial stewardship practitioners and infection control colleagues.
The post holder will work mainly in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, and also provide clinical cover for Yeovil District Hospital. In addition, the post holder will participate in the clinical and advisory service offered to General Practitioners, Somerset Foundation Trust Community Hospitals and independent sector treatment centre Practice Plus Group Hospital at Shepton Mallet.
Integral to the responsibilities of the post are the following requirements:
To ensure the provision of a first-class clinical service
To deliver teaching
Involvement in audit
To undertake all work in accordance with the Trust's procedures and operating policies
Working pattern Monday - Friday. There is currently no on-call requirement
Target Start date: 20th August 2026
Main duties of the job As well as a comprehensive and very busy clinical microbiology service, the department provides a full range of bacteriological, mycological and parasitological investigations, and a wide range of serological tests and virus detection tests. Specimens for specialist serology & molecular tests are mostly sent to the Public Health Laboratory in Bristol who also provide us with specialist clinical virology advice.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and lifeNHS pension scheme for long-term financial securityGenerous annual leave allowance to recharge and relaxA strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potentialAdditionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description Job responsibilities
Southwest Pathology Service operates a county-wide Laboratory Information Management System - "WinPath Enterprise" This is a single pathology system for the acute NHS Foundation Trust and the local health community Electronic requesting and reporting ("Clinysis ICE ") is in place for acute hospitals and GPs. The microbiology laboratory is connected to UKHSA's Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS).
Please see attached Job Description for further details
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Full registration (and a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC) (or eligible for registration within six months of interview) Show evidence of equivalent qualification to FRCPath Evidence of continuing medical education
Desirable
FRCPath
Experience Essential
Extensive experience of ward-based clinical liaison
Desirable
Experience of developing &implementing antimicrobial guidelines Experience of all aspects of the work of an Infection Control Doctor
Additional Criteria Essential
Understanding of clinical risk management Clear, logical thinking showing an analytical/scientific approach Ability to mentor staff both medical and nursing Appropriate level of clinical Knowledge Ability to prioritise and organise Good communication skills Ability to change and adapt work practices
Desirable
Experience of clinical risk management Demonstrates breadth of awareness of issues Understand of NHS, clinical governance and resource constraints Evidence of training medical and non medical staff Experience in postgraduate, particularly multidisciplinary teaching and training
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Musgrove Park Hospital
Musgrove Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 5DA
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)