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An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Consultant Microbiologist (Medical Microbiology & Virology) to join a large, modern microbiology service in Greater London on a 12-month fixed-term basis. The post holder will work alongside consultant colleagues to deliver a comprehensive, efficient, and high-quality clinical microbiology, infection management, and infection prevention service.

The role offers exposure to advanced molecular diagnostics, strong multidisciplinary collaboration, and active involvement in antimicrobial stewardship, OPAT services, and clinical governance.
 

Key Responsibilities

Clinical & Advisory Services

• Provide expert consultant-level advice on the diagnosis and therapeutic management of microbiological infections, including guidance on appropriate investigations.
• Deliver a 24-hour telephone on-call clinical and infection control advisory service on a shared rota.
• Provide proactive liaison with clinical teams, including intensive care, acute medicine, surgery, paediatrics, and specialist services.
• Participate in regular ward rounds across critical care, acute admission units, and medical and surgical wards.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings, including bone and joint infection MDTs, diabetic foot MDTs, respiratory infection MDTs, and morbidity and mortality meetings.
• Support community infection control activity in collaboration with public health partners.

Laboratory & Quality Governance

• Supervise diagnostic workflows and specimen processing.
• Authorise and interpret microbiology results.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Maintain quality assurance standards, including participation in NEQAS and UKAS, and in accreditation processes.
• Support business planning, service development, and implementation of new diagnostic technologies.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards and regulatory requirements.

Antimicrobial Stewardship & OPAT

• Work closely with antimicrobial pharmacy and infection prevention teams.
• Contribute to OPAT service delivery and service expansion initiatives.
• Participate in antimicrobial and infection control committees and governance forums.

Education, Audit & Leadership

• Participate in clinical audit, governance activity, and service improvement.
• Support education and supervision of trainees, scientists, and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Demonstrate leadership, team motivation, and effective interdisciplinary communication.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Registration

Essential

• Complete registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) with a licence to practise (or eligibility within six months of interview).
• CCT in Medical Microbiology / Virology (or within six months of award) or equivalent.
• Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) or equivalent qualification.

Desirable

• MD / PhD or additional postgraduate qualification.
• MRCP or equivalent.

Experience

Essential

• Broad and in-depth experience in Clinical Microbiology and Infection Management.
• Experience providing consultant-level clinical advice and infection control leadership.
• Experience in laboratory governance, accreditation, and quality systems.
• Minimum 1 year of NHS experience.

Desirable

• Experience in Infectious Diseases or OPAT services.
• Experience contributing to service development or diagnostic innovation.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong organisational and clinical governance capability.
• Commitment to audit, education, and continuous improvement.

Apply now