About this role
Job summary
University Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a forward-thinking Consultant Microbiologist to join our dynamic Infection Sciences team. You will provide expert clinical microbiology and infection management services across the Trust, working closely with colleagues in Infectious Diseases, Infection Prevention & Control, and the wider multidisciplinary team.
In this key role, you will support high-quality diagnostic services, contribute to antimicrobial stewardship, and offer specialist advice for complex infections. You will also play an active part in service development, clinical governance, and teaching for healthcare professionals and trainees.
We are looking for an enthusiastic leader with excellent communication skills and a commitment to improving patient outcomes. Applicants should hold FRCPath (or equivalent), be on the GMC Specialist Register (or within 6 months of CCT), and demonstrate strong collaborative practice.
We offer a welcoming, supportive environment, opportunities for research and innovation, and excellent professional development.
Join us and help shape the future of infection services within a high-performing, patient-centred Trust.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking an enthusiastic and forward-thinking Consultant Medical Microbiologist, or dual accredited Microbiologist and Infectious Diseases Consultant, to join our dynamic and supportive team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
This is an opportunity to work in a modern, progressive infection service delivering:
Comprehensive clinical microbiology, virology and mycology advice 24/7 consultant-led infection advisory service (1:7 non-resident on-call) Embedded antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) across the Trust Active involvement in Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Close working relationships with tertiary specialties including ICU, NICU, renal transplant, haematology, cardiothoracic surgery and neurosurgery The post holder will practise as an autonomous consultant microbiologist providing complex clinical advice, supporting optimal diagnostic pathways, and promoting evidence-based antimicrobial prescribing.
Suitable candidates for this role would need to be on the specialist register with a qualification in Medical Microbiology, dual accredited in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases or Consultant Clinical Scientists who have completed a relevant training programme.
Applicants with dual accreditation in Infectious Diseases will have the opportunity to shape and develop the ID component of the service in line with their expertise and departmental needs.
Less than full-time applicants are warmly encouraged.
About us
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is the largest hospital in the Southwest peninsula and a major trauma centre, providing comprehensive secondary and tertiary healthcare.
Our geography gives us a secondary care catchment population of 450,000 with a wider peninsula population of almost 2,000,000 people who can access our specialist services. The population is characterised by its diversity - the rural and the urban, the wealthy and pockets of deprivation, and wide variance in health and life expectancy. Population ageing is a recognised national trend, but is exacerbated locally by the drift of younger people out of the area and older people in. The proportion of our population aged 85 or over is growing ahead of the national average by approximately 10 years and we have developed a Population Health Strategy in response to this demographic shift.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job Description.
The appointee will be required to maintain General Medical Council (GMC) full and specialist registration with a licence to practise and revalidation, and should follow the GMCs Code of Good Medical Practice.The appointment will be covered by the National Health Services Terms and Conditions of Service for Hospital, Medical and Dental Staff (England and Wales) and the General Whitley Council Conditions of Service.
Person Specification
Skills Essential
Full and specialist registration (and with a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC) (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview) Applicants that are UK trained must be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview Applicants that are non-UK trained will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT FRCPath or evidence of equivalent qualification Suitable CCTs include Medical Microbiology or Medical Microbiology and Virology or Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Desirable
MRCP or evidence of equivalent qualification Higher academic qualifications e.g. MSc/MD/PhD in an infection related topic
Experience Essential
Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Medical Microbiology and Virology Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Medical Microbiology and Virology Knowledge of evidence-based practice Attended appropriate basic speciality courses Clinical experience and thorough knowledge of the principles of good Infection, Prevention and Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship Knowledge of and evidence of participation in management processes Ability to develop effective working relationships with all levels of staff
Desirable
Evidence of a special interest that complements those of the other Consultants in the Department Recent attendance at appropriate courses and meetings covering the spectrum of the entire Speciality Higher degree/qualification or specific training in management or leadership.
Interpersonal skills Essential
Good IT skills and knowledge Ability to cope with and effectively organise the workload of a consultant Ability to practice independently as a senior specialist in Infection and to deal with calls for complex advice including whilst acting independently on call Understanding of clinical governance and the individual responsibilities it implies Participation in continuing professional development and, where relevant, evidence of satisfactory participation in a CPD scheme Ability to take responsibility and show evidence of leadership Knowledge of evidence-based practice Ability to work under pressure and cope with setbacks Good time management Experience of teaching Ability to communicate effectively with clinical colleagues, colleagues in pathology, management and support staff Good knowledge of, and ability to use, spoken and written English Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods, and to respond to questions and queries
Desirable
Evidence of ability in teaching having sought formal feedback Higher degree/qualification or specific training in teaching
Clinical governance and audit Essential
Understanding of clinical governance and the individual responsibilities it implies Participation in continuing professional development and, where relevant, evidence of satisfactory participation in a CPD scheme Knowledge of the principles involved in good quality research Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit and evidence of participation in relevant audit projects
Desirable
Evidence of involvement in research and a current research interest Publications in the area of Medical Microbiology in peer reviewed journals Presentations in the area of medical microbiology at local/ regional/national/ international meetings Demonstrate an enthusiasm to continue with research and clinical audit
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 University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address Derriford Hospital
Derriford
Plymouth
PL6 8DH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)