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We are seeking an experienced and motivated Consultant Microbiologist to join a well-established Infection and Pathology service in the South West. This is a full-time consultant position (10 PAs) with a flexible, modern job plan that includes opportunities for remote work, leadership responsibilities, and active involvement in infection prevention and control.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with consultant colleagues to deliver a comprehensive, efficient, and high-quality clinical microbiology, virology, and infection prevention service across acute and community settings.

Applicants must have at least 1 year of NHS experience.
 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Microbiology & Infection Services

• Provide consultant-level clinical microbiology and infectious diseases advice to hospital clinicians, GPs, pharmacists, and allied healthcare professionals.
• Deliver direct clinical care and timely infection-related consultations across inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Participate in daily ITU ward rounds and provide specialist input into complex infection cases.
• Support tuberculosis (TB) and non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) services in collaboration with respiratory teams.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, including TB/NTM, prosthetic joint infection, OPAT, and diabetic foot infection clinics.

Infection Prevention & Control

• Act as the Trust Infection Control Doctor, providing expert leadership in infection prevention and control.
• Work closely with infection prevention nurses and senior leadership to manage outbreaks, conduct surveillance, and develop policies.
• Participate in Infection Prevention Committees and Medicines Safety Committees.
• Lead or contribute to antimicrobial stewardship initiatives, including guideline development and audit.

Laboratory & Governance Responsibilities

• Support the supervision and quality assurance of diagnostic microbiology and virology services.
• Authorise and interpret microbiology results and contribute to service development and innovation.
• Participate in clinical governance, audit, and quality improvement activities.
• Contribute to UKAS accreditation, external quality assurance schemes, and SOP development.

Teaching, Training & Professional Development

• Provide teaching and supervision to junior doctors, clinical scientists, biomedical scientists, and medical students.
• Engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in line with Royal College requirements.
• Participate in research, service evaluation, and innovation where appropriate.

On-Call & Job Planning

• Participate in an out-of-hours consultant microbiology on-call rota (shared regionally).
• Contribute to a Saturday morning rota (remote working supported).
• The job plan includes Supporting Professional Activities (SPA) and allows flexibility, such as regular non-working sessions by agreement.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Complete GMC registration with a licence to practise
• Entry on the GMC Specialist Register (or within 6 months at interview)
• MBBS / MB ChB or equivalent
• FRCPath (or evidence of equivalent training and experience)

Desirable

• Additional higher qualification (e.g. MRCP, MSc, MD, PhD)

Experience & Knowledge

Essential

• Minimum 1 year of NHS experience
• Broad training in Medical Microbiology and/or Infectious Diseases
• Ability to work independently at the consultant level
• Strong knowledge of evidence-based practice and antimicrobial stewardship
• Experience in infection prevention and control
• Good IT skills and familiarity with electronic patient record systems

Desirable

• Experience in leadership, service development, or departmental management
• Research or quality improvement experience

Skills & Attributes

Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams
• Strong organisational and leadership skills
• Commitment to clinical governance, audit, and patient safety
• Ability to present complex clinical information clearly