Consultant Microbiology or Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Job Description
Job summary
This is a replacement post for a Consultant Microbiologist to support the microbiology department and the Infection Prevention and Control services in the Trust. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a growing Microbiology team as well as working in a Trust with an on-site diagnostic laboratory.
The successful candidate will work alongside consultant colleagues to provide a microbiology/infectious diseases consultant service at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospital and will be expected to contribute to the antimicrobial strategy of the Trust and be a member of the Antimicrobial Stewardship group.
The post will rotate between Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells hospitals which will enable the post holder to have clinical input into a wide range of specialist clinical
The Microbiology department contributes to many MDTs, including OPAT, haematology, and intensive care, and has established antimicrobial stewardship ward rounds at both sites. Microbiology also supports the diabetic foot clinic.
Main duties of the job
Provision of a comprehensive clinical microbiology service including advice regarding appropriate specimen collection, involvement in specimen analysis, validation, and interpretation of results for transmission to wards, and involvement in the management of individual patients through full clinical liaison.
Provision of trust-wide antimicrobial stewardship activities, in conjunction with the lead antimicrobial pharmacist and other Consultant colleagues
Participation in Trust Infection Prevention and Control activities, including deputising for the Infection Control Doctor where appropriate
Involvement in the development of clinical management protocols and pathways shared with the community and other consultant colleagues.
Participation in the management and future development of the microbiology service.
About us
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
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Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
- At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
- Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
- Blue Light card eligibility
- And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Job responsibilities
Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children). If a role involves regulated activity and requires a DBS check with a barred list check, you cannot apply if you are on the barred list.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date has been agreed.
Working for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust/NKPS you will be part of the Kent and Medway Pathology Network (South 8 Network - Kent and Medway Pathology Network is made up of seven laboratories across three pathology services in four acute Trusts. For more information on the network please see the attached document.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MB BS or equivalent
- Full and Specialist registration in (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 ALSO 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
- Ideally CCT or its equivalent should be in Medical Microbiology or Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
- FRCPath or show evidence of equivalent qualification
Desirable
- Distinctions, scholarships, Prizes
- Other degrees, e.g., BSc, MSc, MD, MRCP
Experience
Essential
- Broad experience in all aspects of clinical and diagnostic Microbiology.
- Clinical experience and thorough knowledge of principles of Antimicrobial Stewardship
Desirable
- Evidence of a special interest that complements those of other consultants.
- Experience of working in an OPAT service.
- Experience of working in Infection Prevention and Control.
Research
Desirable
- Evidence of personal research projects and their presentation
- Publications in peer-reviewed journals
Audit
Essential
- Understand the principles of audit and quality improvement projects.
Desirable
- Evidence of participation in audit and quality improvement projects
Leadership and Management
Essential
- Ability to take responsibility, show leadership, make decisions, and respond appropriately to service needs
Desirable
- Leadership and management training
- Experience of implementing change
Personal Skills
Essential
- Evidence of leadership
- Good communication skills
Desirable
- Demonstrate CPD to enhance quality of work.
- Good writing and presentational skills
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
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Address
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals
Microbiology Dept
Maidstone
ME16 9QQ
United Kingdom
