Consultant Virologist

Transformationunitgm; Ashford; On-site; GBP 105,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Consultant Virologist to join their team at St Peter’s Hospital. This role offers a unique opportunity to work within one of the UK's leading NHS Pathology networks, providing comprehensive virology services and engaging in patient management. The successful candidate will collaborate with senior clinical colleagues, ensuring high-quality service delivery while upholding patient safety and confidentiality. This position not only emphasizes clinical excellence but also encourages continuous professional development and teamwork in a supportive environment. If you are passionate about virology and patient care, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Medical Degree and FRCPath or equivalent qualification required.
• Experience in laboratory virology and infection control essential.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality virology services and communicate critical results.
• Engage with infection control and develop clinical virology services.

Skills

Effective communication skills

Experience in Infection Control

Laboratory virology experience

Understanding of clinical audit principles

Competence in common IT systems

Experience in developing collaborative working relationships

Experience in MDTs and clinics

Education

Medical Degree (MBBS or equivalent)

FRCPath or equivalent qualification

Full and specialist registration with the GMC

CCT in Virology or equivalent

MRCP

Tools

Common testing platforms

Common IT systems

Job description

Main area: Virology

Grade: Consultant

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time - 10 sessions per week (10 PAs, of which 8.5 are DCC and 1.5 are SPA)

Job ref: 323-MD5263-LM

Employer: Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Employer type: NHS

Site: St Peter's Hospital

Town: Chertsey

Salary: £105,504 - £139,882 (10 PAs, of which 8.5 are DCC and 1.5 are SPA)

Salary period: Yearly

Closing: 18/05/2025 23:59

Interview date: 18/06/2025

Job overview

Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS) has an exciting opportunity for a medically-qualified virologist who holds FRCPath Part 2 or is within 6 months of being awarded GMC specialist registration by CCT or CESR to work at St Peter’s Hospital.

BSPS serves six hospitals across five NHS Trusts and is one of the country’s highest-performing, most integrated, and respected NHS Pathology networks.

Applications are invited for a permanent full-time consultant virologist post (10 PAs, of which 8.5 are DCC and 1.5 are SPA). This new post is created to strengthen the resilience of the senior clinical team and develop clinical virology services across our pathology network. We seek applicants with enthusiasm and drive, good communication skills, and a commitment to patient safety and quality of services.

Main duties of the job

1. Work productively as a team member with senior clinical virology colleagues and laboratory staff to ensure high-quality, safe, comprehensive virology service delivery.
2. Validate, verify, authorise, and interpret virology and related laboratory results.
3. Communicate critical/urgent results to clinical users and microbiologist colleagues.
4. Provide clinical advice on the management of patients with viral infectious diseases.
5. Engage with infection control and public health colleagues in managing incidents and outbreaks.
6. Participate and lead in developing clinical virology services for our Trusts.
7. Work according to the agreed job plan.
8. Uphold patient safety and confidentiality principles in line with regulations (e.g., GDPR).
9. Conduct clinical duties in line with departmental SOPs and guidelines.
10. Adhere to the principles of the GMC’s Good Medical Practice standards.

Working for our organisation

Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of over 410,000 people. We employ over 3,700 highly trained professionals, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites. Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country, offering continuous professional development and flexibility in workforce management.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Refer to the attached Job Description for further details and person specification. The successful candidate will join a full-time consultant virologist and specialist doctor in Virology, authorising results and providing clinical advice for the network.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Medical Degree: MBBS or equivalent
• FRCPath or evidence of equivalent qualification
• Full and specialist registration with the GMC (or be eligible for specialist registration within six months of interview)
• Applicants who are UK trained must hold a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Virology or be within six months of award of CCT by interview date.
• MRCP
• Joint training (Virology and ID)

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• Experience in Infection Control and outbreak management.
• Experience in laboratory virology and familiarity with common testing platforms.
• Understanding of clinical audit principles.
• Competence in common IT systems.
• Experience in developing collaborative working relationships.
• Experience in MDTs and clinics.

Attributes, Values and Behaviours

• Knowledge of diversity and human rights.
• Effective communication skills.
• Understanding of clinical governance principles.
• Evidence of continuous improvement in patient and staff experience.
• Ability to empathise with patients and families.

Teaching

• Experience in medical and non-medical undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.

Leadership and Management

• Understanding of NHS Policy and performance targets.
• Flexible and problem-solving approach.
• Ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Evidence of participation in leadership and management activities.

Research

• Experience in research, particularly in collaboration with clinicians.

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and will require a Disclosure submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

For further information, please contact Dr. Bruce Stewart, Associate Medical Director for Infection & Immunity, at 01737 231904 or [e-mail].