Consultant Microbiologist

NHS National Services Scotland; Inverness; On-site; GBP 115,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Highland invites applications for a Consultant in Medical Microbiology, or related dual specialty options in Infectious Diseases or Virology with a flexible/hybrid approach possible. The role is based at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, offering a broad diagnostic microbiology service and potential part-time arrangements.

Applicants should be on the Specialist Register or within six months of CCT, with a track record in clinical microbiology.

Qualifications

• On Specialist Register or within six months of obtaining CCT at interview date.
• Flexible/part-time options may be considered.
• Single or dual CCT in medical microbiology preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical microbiology and infectious diseases services for the Highland Health Board area.
• On-call duty on a 1:5 rota with availability supplement and time off in lieu.
• Contribute to infection prevention, control and infectious diseases care within Raigmore Hospital.

Skills

Flexible working

Education

CCT in Medical Microbiology

Job description

NHS HIGHLAND

Raigmore Hospital

Consultant Microbiologist

or Consultant Microbiologist and Infectious diseases

or Consultant in Medical Virology and Infectious diseases

Full time – 10PAs per week (40 hours)

£115,331 - £153,247 per annum pro rata

Applications are invited for a full time Consultant in Medical Microbiology, or Consultant in Medical Microbiology and Infectious diseases or Consultant in Medical Virology and Infectious diseases

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a single or dual CCT in medical microbiology to join the Infection Team in NHS Highland to work in a unique setting. With easy access to coast, mountains and glens, Inverness in the Scottish Highlands is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe and offers an unrivalled quality of life with a huge range of leisure and sporting opportunities.

The Department is responsible for providing an Infection service compromising Medical Microbiology, Infection Control service and Infectious diseases service for the Highland Health Board area. This post can have a flexible working pattern, depending on what would suit you and the Department. This position involves medical microbiology on- call on a 1:5 rota and has an associated availability supplement plus time off in-lieu.

This post can be adapted to suit the individual candidate and hybrid working could also be supported as part of a wider negotiation, prior to commencement, related to how the hours would be worked. Less than full time candidates will also be considered. It is essential that applicants are on the Specialist Register or be within six months of obtaining their CCT at date of interview.

The Medical Microbiology Department sits within the Acute Division. The Operational Medical Director is Dr Elaine Henry. The Clinical Lead for Microbiology is Dr Mary Peirse.

The Infectious diseases Department sits within the Medical directorate and the Clinical director of Medicine is Dr Duncan Scott, the Clinical Lead for Infectious diseases is Dr Wendy Beadles.

The Medical Microbiology Department provides a comprehensive diagnostic Microbiology service comprising Culture (Bacteria/Mycology), Molecular (Bacterial & Viral) and Serology (Bacterial, Viral, Scottish Toxoplasma Reference Laboratory, Scottish Lyme Disease and Tick-borne infections Reference Laboratory) and Laboratory Immunology to the Health Board area. This is almost exclusively delivered from Raigmore Hospital, Inverness with some respiratory virus testing performed within the Rural General Hospitals n Fort William, Wick, and Oban. It processes over 200,000 samples per annum from primary and secondary care. The laboratory in Raigmore has achieved accreditation by UKAS against ISO15189:2022.

There is an inpatient infection ward with 16 beds located within Raigmore Hospital ground floor. The infectious diseases department also provides a consult service in-person within Raigmore and remote advice for other locations within NHS Highland. There are outpatient clinics for general infection referrals as well as HIV outpatient clinics shared with the Sexual Health Team. An OPAT service based in Raigmore co-ordinates cover for all of the Highlands. There is a monthly Lyme MDT which links in with the Scottish Lyme and tick borne infections reference laboratory.

Department Contact:

Dr Mary Peirse, Clinical Lead for Microbiology: 07912606332 or email [e-mail]

Job reference: 261695

Closing date: Midnight Wednesday 25th November 2026

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

NHS Highland is geographically the largest of the 14 regional boards of NHS Scotland, covering an area of 12,500 square miles, across Highland and Argyll & Bute.

We employ over 10,700 people, making us one of the biggest employers in the area. As an organisation, we make a very significant contribution to the local economy.

Our staff are also important members of our communities. Our greatest asset is our workforce, and the way we go about our work comes from the values and behaviours we demonstrate on a daily basis. As a board we strive to ensure the environment is conducive to nurturing a positive culture, supported and delivered through our NHS and social care values.

• Care and compassion
• Dignity and respect
• Openness, honesty and responsibility
• Quality and teamwork