Consultant in Infection

Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 76,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Gateshead is seeking a Consultant Microbiologist to join its Infection Team. The role involves supporting laboratory functions and providing expert clinical opinions on infection management. Candidates must possess FRCPath and have full GMC registration as well as a CCT in Microbiology or be close to obtaining it. This full-time position offers the opportunity to contribute to a 7-day infection service at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, improving patient care and developing initiatives for diverse healthcare needs.

Benefits

Health and wellbeing support programs

Diverse staff networks for improvement

Commitment to professional development

Qualifications

• Full and specialist registration with GMC required.
• Must have CCT in Microbiology or be within six months of receiving it.
• Experience in clinical governance essential.

Responsibilities

• Support all elements of the laboratory and consulting service.
• Assess and manage infections independently.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of infection services.

Skills

Knowledge and experience of relevant specialty

Commitment to continuous professional development

Ability to teach and supervise healthcare staff

Education

FRCPath or equivalent

Full GMC registration

MBBS, MB ChB, BM or equivalent

Job description

The successful applicant will support all elements of the laboratory and will work with clinical and laboratory colleagues both within the Trust and outside and contribute to the inpatient consulting service.

Applicants should possess FRCPath or equivalent and either have, or be within six months of receiving, a CCT in Microbiology or dual CCT in Microbiology/Infectious Diseases at the date of the advisory appointments committee. This must be evidenced on their application form. Full GMC registration with a licence to practice is required. This appointment will be on the basis of the new consultant contract and is advertised as a 10 programmed activities post. Any applicant wishing to work less than full‑time will be eligible to be considered for the post. If such a person is appointed, modification of the job content will be discussed on a personal basis with the Trust in consultation with consultant colleagues.

Qualifications

• Full and specialist registration with a licence to practice with the General Medical Council (GMC) (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview). Applicants that are UK trained must be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Microbiology, or within six months of award of CCT or equivalent by date of interview. FRCPath or evidence of equivalent qualification. Applicants that are non‑UK trained will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT. MBBS, MB ChB, BM, or evidence of equivalent qualification.

Experience

• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in the relevant specialty.
• High standard of clinical skill and expertise in infection.
• Clinical governance.
• Ability to offer expert clinical opinion on a range of infection problems both in emergency and elective settings and in primary care.
• Ability to take full and independent responsibility for liaising with clinical staff for the clinical care of patients with infections.
• Experience and commitment to audit.
• Experience and commitment to teaching a wide variety of healthcare staff.

Skills

• Knowledge and experience of relevant specialty; participation in audit, clinical governance and multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and appraisal.
• Ability to teach and supervise a wide variety of healthcare staff.

This is a new 10 PA post for a consultant microbiologist to join the existing team of four consultants (3.4 WTE), a Speciality Registrar (0.84 WTE) and a Junior Clinical Fellow (0.63 WTE). The appointee will be vital to the continued improvement, development and delivery of a 7‑day a week infection service at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust.

This post is part of the 'Infection Team'. The infection team's aim is to optimise the prevention, diagnosis, and management of infections in Gateshead. There are existing close links with South Tyneside and Sunderland NHSFT, including a shared weekday on‑call rota, and early stage discussions about joint working with other neighbouring Trusts.

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead. Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients. We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region. Our values are the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do – they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement. We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D‑Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks. The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme (balancegateshead.com) to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.