Consultant Virologist

GEH; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 82,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is seeking a Consultant Virologist to provide expert virology services across the EPA network, with specialist clinical advice and interpretation of complex results. You will participate in clinical ward rounds and contribute to governance, audit, service development, education and research collaboration.

The role supports safe decision-making, rapid turnaround in antenatal screening, and maintenance of a 1 in 4 out-of-hours rota.

Qualifications

• Full GMC Registration is required.
• Entry on GMC Specialist Register via oCCT (Proposed CCT date within 6 months) or CESR or ECHR.
• Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists by examination in Virology.
• FRCPath Part 2 in virology or equivalent qualification.
• Further qualifications such as MRCP or MSc/MD/PhD/DipHIC.
• Experience in teaching the Teachers or equivalent.
• Able to work in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Previous responsibility for service improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert virology services across the EPA network and offer specialist clinical advice.
• Interpret complex laboratory results and contribute to clinical ward rounds at NNUHFT.
• Support governance, audit, service development, education and research collaboration.
• Help ensure timely decision-making and management in acute and emergency settings.
• Contribute to a 1 in 4 on-call rota for out-of-hours clinical advice and infection control emergencies.

Skills

Clinical virology

Leadership

Teaching

Education

Full GMC Registration

GMC Specialist Register via oCCT/CESR

FRCPath in Virology

Job description

The post is newly created to ensure continuity and quality improvement in the Clinical Virology Service at Norwich. The appointee will provide expert clinical virology services across NNUHFT, James Paget University Hospital (JPUH), and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEHKL). The role involves participation in a 1 in 4 out-of-hours rota across Norfolk and is based at NNUHFT in Norwich. Flexible working arrangements and job share options are available, and the Trust encourages applications from all, including those with disabilities.

Main duties of the job

The Consultant Virologist post provides critical virology services across the EPA network, including specialist clinical advice, interpretation of complex laboratory results, and participation in clinical ward rounds at NNUHFT. The role underpins safe clinical decision-making and contributes to clinical governance, audit, service development, education, and research collaboration.

About us

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!

The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

• Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
• Multi Faith prayer room at NNUH Colney Lane site
• Discounted gym memberships
• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
• Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
• Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH Colney Lane site
• Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
• On-site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane
• On-site cafes offering staff discounts at NNUH Colney Lane
• Flexible staff bank
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Job responsibilities

The Consultant Virologist post provides critical virology services across the EPA network, including specialist clinical advice, interpretation of complex laboratory results, and participation in clinical ward rounds at NNUHFT. The role underpins safe clinical decision-making and contributes to clinical governance, audit, service development, education, and research collaboration.

In 2025, NNUH implemented opt-out bloodborne virus testing in the Emergency Department, generating an additional ~200 blood samples per day across three pathogen targets. This has resulted in a sustained increase in diagnostic activity and demand for timely specialist interpretation. Without sufficient consultant capacity, there is a risk of delayed result validation, slower clinical advice, and downstream impacts on patient management, particularly in acute and emergency care settings.

In parallel, the antenatal screening programme requires rapid turnaround of samples and consistent consultant-level clinical input across all three acute hospitals in Norfolk. Delays or capacity constraints in this pathway carry direct patient safety risks, including delayed identification and management of maternal infection and increased risk of vertical transmission.

Additional consultant capacity is therefore essential to maintain agreed turnaround times, ensure timely clinical advice, and mitigate clinical risk arising from increased service demand. The post also strengthens service resilience, supports safe delivery of a 1 in 4 on-call rota for out-of-hours clinical advice and infection prevention and control emergencies, and reduces the risk of burnout and single-point-of-failure within the virology consultant workforce.

Interview date - 2nd December 2026.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Full GMC Registration
• Entry on the GMC Specialist Register Via; oCCT (Proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of the interview) oCESR or oEuropean Community Rights
• Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists by examination in Virology.
• The appointee will hold the FRCPath part 2 in virology or evidence of equivalent qualification
• Further qualifications such as: MRCP or evidence of equivalent qualification, MSc, MD, PhD, DipHIC
• "Teaching the Teachers" or equivalent
• Capable of working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Enthusiasm for service development and teaching
• Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Previous responsibility for service improvement

Experience

• Applicants who are Nationals from another European country or elsewhere overseas would have to show equivalence to the 5 years training period in the National Health Service required for the specialty
• Experience in research or published papers in area of special interest

Interests

• Commitment to develop an appropriate special interest

Circumstances

• Flexible outlook on working hours
• Must live within a 15-mile radius of the base Trust or 30 minutes travelling time
• Ability to travel across multi-sites whilst public transport may not be available

Communications

• Ability to communicate effectively with clinical colleagues, colleagues in pathology and support staff
• Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods, and to respond to questions and queries

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Clinical Head of Department Microbiology