Clinical Scientist Microbiologist

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A major children's hospital in England is seeking a Clinical Scientist - Microbiologist to work in the Clinical Microbiology Department. This role involves clinically authorising results, providing guidance on microbiological tests, and supporting the development of clinical services. Candidates must hold a relevant degree, be registered as a Clinical Scientist, and have FRCPath. The position offers the opportunity to work with a leading pediatric care team, focusing on growth and professional development.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Work in a leading pediatric facility

Collaborative environment

Qualifications

• Registered as a Clinical Scientist in Clinical Microbiology with the HCPC.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development required.
• Thorough knowledge and experience of Clinical Microbiology needed.

Responsibilities

• Clinically authorise results and assess data quality.
• Provide clinical guidance to medical staff on microbiological tests.
• Lead service planning and ensure compliance with quality standards.

Skills

Clinical Microbiology

Infection Control

Team Collaboration

Data Analysis

Education

First degree in Microbiology or related

MSc in Microbiology or relevant area

Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath)

Job description

Overview

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Clinical Scientist - Microbiologist. The closing date is 10 February 2026.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Clinical Scientist band to join the Clinical Microbiology Department at Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust. This is a consultant position, however registered and principal clinical scientist in training to become a consultant will be considered for the position with salary dependent on experience.

The successful applicant will work closely with the laboratory, infection control and clinical paediatric infectious diseases colleagues (NHS and academic) both within the Trust and outside, to provide high quality infection services to our specialist patient population.

We are looking for an enthusiastic Clinical Scientist to join us as we develop our Paediatric Infection Service. The successful applicant will be playing a key role supporting and developing the existing service. We are keen that potential applicants can develop their special interests and fulfill their personal goals at Alder Hey. Further microbiology links with neighbouring Trusts may also be possible depending on the background and interests of the successful candidate.

Applicants should hold or be working towards Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) and be registered as a Clinical Scientist in Clinical Microbiology with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Main duties of the job

To clinically authorise results generated by the laboratory microbiology team, make an assessment of the quality of data, and add interpretative comments, suggest further investigations and ensure prompt communication of urgent results where appropriate.

To work, in close collaboration with the infectious diseases team, to provide clinical guidance and scientific advice and assistance to all grades of medical and nursing staff on the selection, performance and interpretation of clinically relevant tests in order to facilitate the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and understanding of disease in children.

To work with the infectious diseases team to support the clinical liaison service and help resolve highly complex clinical problems as they arise. To attend and participate in clinical multidisciplinary team meetings, giving advice on selection, availability and interpretation of microbiological tests.

To ensure maintenance of and participate in a rota that provides clinical authorisation of results out-of-hours, including weekends.

To ensure that validated reference ranges, interpretative comments, and protocols for paediatric microbiological investigations are available at a standard as outlined within UKAS ISO15189.

To undertake clinical audits of service effectiveness and instigate appropriate changes to service. Additionally, contribute to audit in other medical specialties and organisations outside of the Trust, nationally and locally.

About us

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust is a major teaching hospital of the University of Liverpool. It serves not only the local population of children, but is the tertiary referral centre for children from Merseyside, Cheshire, parts of Lancashire, Shropshire and North Wales for many sub-specialties of pediatrics. A brand new award-winning purpose built Hospital was opened in 2015 providing modern customised facilities for children, families and staff. The hospital has 240 beds, including day beds for surgery, a medical day care unit and observation beds in the Emergency Department.

The Trust is situated 4 miles from the city centre and within easy reach of the motorway network, is an international centre of excellence, treating over 200,000 children a year. The Trust is renowned for both its clinical innovation and dedication to staff development.

The microbiology department provides a routine and 24 hour emergency service for in and out patient requests for microbiological tests, the majority of the work coming from within the Trust, with small numbers of requests from general practice (1-2% of overall workload).

The scope of testing performed in-house includes all routine bench based bacteriology, mycology and parasitology. Rapid virology testing in house for COVID-19, respiratory and CSF samples is available with routine and specialist testing for a wider range of assays referred to the Liverpool Clinical Laboratories based at the Liverpool University Hospital.

Job responsibilities

Microbiology department.

To be responsible for service planning for Clinical Microbiology, analysing, interpreting and comparing different options.

To be responsible for ensuring that all clinical incidents and complaints are investigated and reported in line with Trust policies and procedures.

To ensure communication and dissemination of information within the department including organising and chairing regular staff meetings.

To be responsible for the security and maintenance of the Clinical Microbiology laboratory.

To participate, as a member of the Laboratory Medicine senior management team, in strategic management and planning for the laboratory.

To lead on the selection and evaluation of new analytical equipment. Some of the procurements are obtained through the OJEC tendering process.

To provide scientific and clinical leadership to staff.

To support the maintenance of the Quality Management System for Microbiology in order to maintain UKAS accreditation of the laboratory.

To advise on and contribute to the writing and updating of policies and procedures in accordance with UKAS ISO15189 requirements.

To maximize the potential for income generation by the Microbiology service.

To develop and maintain links with appropriate commercial sectors to assist with the development and evaluation of new technologies to ensure that the Trust and its patients gain maximum benefit.

To contribute to Trust advisory bodies where required.

Scientific

To maintain up to date specialist expertise and knowledge of scientific developments and practice relevant to routine and specialist paediatric microbiology and other relevant subjects. To ensure that such knowledge is systematically passed on to all laboratory staff, where appropriate.

To provide leadership and guidance to laboratory staff on matters of quality assurance related to laboratory analysis and to take appropriate action where errors are identified.

To lead on strategies to evaluate and adopt new technologies relevant to emerging needs of the trust and the regional and national networks, such as emerging diagnostic molecular techniques.

Research and Development

To contribute to research activities and clinical trials work within the laboratory, and development of the Trusts research and development strategy.

To be responsible for the coordination, implementation, development and ongoing evaluation of laboratory methods.

To initiate and undertake research and development projects, ensuring that opportunities are taken up and designing experimental protocols and procedures to produce robust and reliable information. This may involve collaboration from other disciplines and other hospitals.

To advise medical colleagues on the design of clinical research projects which involve microbiological tests and to co-ordinate clinical trial work undertaken by the department for clinical units within the Trust.

Training

To be responsible for the induction and scientific, technical and clinical training of all laboratory staff in Clinical Microbiology, plus be responsible for the training of clinical staff across the Trust in the use of relevant in-vitro diagnostic equipment.

To provide teaching and training in Clinical Microbiology to other healthcare professionals.

To act as a supervisor for staff undertaking MSc projects by research or modular based courses.

Communication

To liaise with other laboratories, clinical, nursing and community staff regarding organisational, analytical and interpretative aspects of work carried out by the Clinical Microbiology service.

To liaise with health visitors, midwives, medical staff, other healthcare professionals and when necessary patients or carers regarding all issues relating to Clinical Microbiology service in a professional and sensitive manner.

To communicate clinically important microbiology test results to clinicians, or consultants in other laboratories, emphasising the significance of the results and providing advice on interpretation where appropriate.

Quality Issues Clinical Governance

To be responsible for internal quality control and external quality assessment for the laboratory, and to liaise with the appropriate external bodies when issues demand.

To be responsible for the effective use of audit to maintain and improve service provision.

Strategic Issues

To plan Microbiology laboratory services, taking into account the regional and national strategic direction for specialist paediatric services and the NHS in general; interpretation of broad national guidance and legislation; professional and scientific developments; new technologies and the needs of the patient; staff, Care Groups, CCGs and the Trust business plans.

Health and safety

To be responsible for departmental Health and Safety policies and for ensuring adherence by all staff to these policies and to Trust Health and Safety regulations.

Person Specification

Education and Training

• First degree in Microbiology or a related subject, or assessed equivalent of knowledge and expertise
• MSc in Microbiology or relevant area
• Registration as a Clinical Scientist in Clinical Microbiology with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists FRCPath (Medical Microbiology)
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (RCPath scheme or equivalent)

Knowledge

• To have a thorough knowledge and experience of Clinical Microbiology, infection control and demonstrates a clear understanding of national policies and strategies in the area of Healthcare associated infection.

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.

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust