Consultant in Microbiology

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust; Northampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare institution is seeking a substantive consultant for infection services. This role involves delivering and shaping clinical microbiology practices, leading improvements, and supervising junior staff. Candidates must have GMC registration and a strong background in Clinical Microbiology. The organization values teamwork and innovation, offering support for professional development in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Continuing professional development

Leadership training

Teaching opportunities

Qualifications

• Must have full and specialist GMC registration.
• Possess knowledge and experience in Clinical Microbiology.
• Must demonstrate effective communication and team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead on service development for infection services.
• Participate in clinical audit and quality improvement efforts.
• Supervise and train junior staff in clinical settings.

Skills

Clinical Microbiology knowledge

Evidence-based practice

Team leadership

Communication skills

Education

Full GMC registration

Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT)

MD/PhD or higher degree

Tools

Databases

Statistical analysis packages

Bioinformatics tools

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

What's On Offer

• A 10 PA substantive consultant post with protected time for leadership and service development
• A central role in delivering and shaping infection services across Northampton and Kettering sites
• The chance to influence Trust-wide strategy in infection prevention, microbiology, and virology
• Join a team that prioritises clinical excellence, quality improvement, and multidisciplinary collaboration
• Support for continuing professional development, leadership training, and teaching opportunities
• Be part of a Trust committed to innovation, transformation, and workforce empowerment

Person specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential criteria

• Full and specialist registration (and a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC) (or 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
• Primary medical qual.
• FRCPath or equivalent
• MD, PhD or higher degree
• Wide knowledge and experience of Clinical Microbiology

Desirable criteria

• Teaching qualification or experience
• Management qualification or experience
• Membership of relevant Specialist Societies or Associations.

Experience / Clinical Skills

Essential criteria

• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in clinical microbiology
• Excellent skills and experience in managing complex microbiological issues in a broad range of different patient types
• Appropriate knowledge base and ability to apply sound clinical judgment to problems; understands evidence-based practice
• Appropriate knowledge base and ability to apply sound clinical judgment to problems; understands evidence-based practice
• Demonstrates clear, logical thinking and an analytical approach
• A track record of service development; introduction of new assays and diagnostic approaches
• Experience with computer software especially databases, statistical analysis packages and bioinformatics tools
• Experience of staff supervision and training of various grades of staff
• An understanding of ISO 15189:2012 quality standards and UKAS accreditation requirements

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of clinical or research commitment and a relevant specialty interest.
• Experience of working in the UK and NHS

Management

Essential criteria

• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and supervise juniors
• Experience of leading teams and awareness of leadership styles
• Willingness to work as a member of the team and to share administrative responsibilities
• Ability to effectively organise, prioritise and manage clinical workload
• Understanding of wider health agenda and modern NHS
• Ability to work to overcome barriers to change (negotiating, influencing and persuasion skills)
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical governance issues
• Awareness of Service Development issues

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of management and administration experience
• Management training on an accredited course
• Experience of resource and budget management

Audit & Research

Essential criteria

• Effective participation in and a commitment to clinical audit
• Experience of quality improvement work and audit
• Ability to appraise research critically
• Ability to supervise juniors undertaking research projects
• Ability to initiate and co-ordinate research within the department

Desirable criteria

• Ability to secure sufficient funding for appropriate research activity
• Evidence of recent research and development activity
• Publications in nationally and internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals on subjects relevant to the specialty

Teaching

Essential criteria

• Experience of and a commitment to teaching undergraduate and postgraduates students and other health professionals
• Enthusiastic and ability to inspire and lead others

Desirable criteria

• Willingness to develop new approaches to teaching
• Post Graduate qualification in teaching and training
• Evidence of supervision and training of Clinical Scientists through national training schemes
• Experience of supervision, appraisal and development of junior staff

Personal

Essential criteria

• Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours

Communication Skills

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication with patients and colleagues
• Ability to present highly complex issues in a professional manner to a wide range of health professionals and to the general public
• To be empathic and sensitive; capacity to take others perspectives and treat others with understanding

Desirable criteria

• Highly developed emotional intelligence
• High standard of presentation both written and verbal
• Demonstrable track record of successful change management
• Proven ability to maintain focus in a demanding environment

At Northampton General Hospital we provide general acute services and hyper-acute stroke, vascular and renal services to people living in Northamptonshire. As well as this we are an accredited cancer centre and provide cancer services to a wider population of Northamptonshire and parts of Buckinghamshire.

We are proud to be the first hospital in the UK to have obtained Pathway to Excellence designated accreditation from the American nurses credentialing centre (ANCC).

We celebrate staff achievements and value the importance of working as one big team. That's why we talk about Team NGH. It's all about working together to provide the best possible care for our patients and supporting each other to grow and develop our skills. We are driven to helping you to be the best you can be.

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities. The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative. We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Apply today and join the largest family in Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values:

• Compassion
• Respect
• Integrity
• Courageous
• Accountable

To apply for this post, scroll down to the bottom of this page and select "apply online now".

In submitting an application form, you authorise Northampton General Hospital to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Electronic Staff Record Inter Authority Transfer process should you be appointed to the post.

Due to the high number of applications received we are unable to respond to each application individually. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you have been unsuccessful in this application.

For further information on nursing, apprenticeships, A&E or any other departments please visit our specific website or pages that are indicated on the right hand side of this advert.

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust recognises that staff of differing backgrounds and life experiences enrich our workforce and bring different skills and knowledge. We therefore encourage and welcome applications for our vacancies from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CLOSE VACANCIES PRIOR TO THE ADVERTISED CLOSING DATE WHEN WE ARE IN RECEIPT OF SUFFICIENT APPLICATIONS

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.
Documents to download

• Job Description & Person Specification (PDF, 1000.2KB)
• Staff Fair Processing Statement (PDF, 90.4KB)
• Respect and Support Document (PDF, 207.1KB)
• Code of Conduct (PDF, 235.2KB)
• Code of Conduct - Band 7+ (PDF, 140.0KB)
• Benefits and NGH (PDF, 379.3KB)
• Useful Links (PDF, 185.9KB)
• Relocation Expenses Policy (PDF, 548.0KB)