Consultant Clinical Scientist- Microbiologist

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool City Region; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading children's health provider in Liverpool seeks a Consultant Clinical Scientist to join their Clinical Microbiology Department. The role involves authorising microbiology results, providing clinical guidance, and ensuring high-quality infection services for paediatric patients. Applicants must hold relevant degrees and HCPC registration. Competitive salary and support for further training included.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years post-qualification as a Registered Clinical Scientist.
• Experience in paediatric Clinical Microbiology.
• Specialised analytical or clinical expertise.

Responsibilities

• Clinically authorise laboratory microbiology results.
• Provide clinical guidance and scientific advice on tests.
• Ensure out-of-hours clinical authorisation coverage.

Skills

Clinical Microbiology

Infection control

Clinical guidance

Education

First degree in Microbiology

MSc in Microbiology

HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist

FRCPath in Medical Microbiology

Job description

Overview

Consultant Clinical Scientist (Band 8c or 8d dependent on experience) to join the Clinical Microbiology Department at Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust. This new position supports development of the Paediatric Infection Service and, at band 8d, serves as Head of Department for Microbiology. The role involves collaboration with laboratory, infection control, and clinical paediatric infectious diseases colleagues to provide high quality infection services for paediatric patients. Applicants should hold FRCPath and HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist in Clinical Microbiology; candidates working towards RCPath Part 2 will be considered. Further microbiology links with neighbouring Trusts may be possible depending on background and interests.

About us
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is a major teaching hospital of the University of Liverpool and serves as a tertiary referral centre for children in the region. The microbiology department provides routine and 24-hour emergency services for in-house testing and some external work; testing includes routine bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, and rapid virology testing in-house, with broader testing referred to Liverpool Clinical Laboratories when required.

Job responsibilities

• Clinically authorise laboratory microbiology results, assess data quality, add interpretative comments, suggest further investigations, and communicate urgent results promptly.
• Work with the infectious diseases team to provide clinical guidance and scientific advice on tests to facilitate diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and understanding of disease in children.
• Support the clinical liaison service and resolve highly complex clinical problems; participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and advise on test selection, availability, and interpretation.
• Ensure out-of-hours and weekend clinical authorisation coverage as part of a rota.
• Maintain validated reference ranges, interpretative comments, and paediatric microbiology protocols to UKAS ISO15189 standards.
• Undertake clinical audits of service effectiveness and contribute to audits in other medical specialties and organisations locally and nationally.

Person specification

Education and Training – Essential

• First degree in Microbiology or related subject, or assessed equivalent
• MSc in Microbiology or related area
• HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist in Clinical Microbiology
• FRCPath (Medical Microbiology)
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (RCPath scheme or equivalent)

Experience – Essential

• Minimum of 6 years post-qualification as a Registered Clinical Scientist, with at least 3 years at advanced practitioner level
• Experience in paediatric Clinical Microbiology
• Specialised analytical or clinical expertise

Desirable

• Specialist interest and training in Paediatric Clinical Microbiology

Knowledge – Essential

• Thorough knowledge of Clinical Microbiology, infection control, and national policies on Healthcare-associated infection

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check applies. UK skilled worker sponsorship may be considered where required. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Employer name
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

Address
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
Eaton Road
Liverpool L12 2AP