Specialty Doctor in Microbiology

NHS; Bedford; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider is seeking a dedicated Specialty Doctor to enhance Clinical Microbiology and Infection services. This permanent, full-time role offers the chance to work in a modernized laboratory equipped with advanced technologies. The successful candidate will join a collaborative team, providing vital microbiology services across Bedfordshire Hospitals. With strong links to academic institutions and a commitment to research, this position promises professional growth and the opportunity to make significant contributions to patient care. If you're passionate about microbiology and eager to advance your career, this is the role for you.

Benefits

Access to training and development programs

Support for audit and research projects

Inclusive recruitment practices

Opportunity to work across multiple sites

Qualifications

• Full GMC Registration and minimum of 2 years clinical experience.
• Relevant specialty clinical knowledge and audit participation.

Responsibilities

• Provide microbiology and infection control services across sites.
• Supervise junior medical staff and participate in clinical meetings.
• Contribute to management and research within the Microbiology Department.

Skills

Clinical Microbiology

Infection Control

Antibiotic Stewardship

Audit Participation

Teaching and Training

Education

Basic Medical Microbiology degree

MBBS or equivalent medical qualification

RCPath

Tools

Laboratory Information Management System

MALDI

Roche 6800

Enteric PCR

Microscan

Job description

Job summary

Applications are invited for one full time Specialty Doctor in the Department of Microbiology. This is a permanent post based at the Bedford site.This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and committed individual to contribute to the development of Clinical Microbiology and Infection services in Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust which includes Bedford Hospital and Luton & Dunstable Hospital.

There is a single Microbiology Laboratory on Bedford Hospital site which has been successfully modernized with a complete refresh of the laboratory equipment, including the purchase of MALDI, Roche 6800, Enteric PCR, Microscan and an updated Laboratory Information Management System implemented in January 2023.

In addition to these exciting new facilities, the Trust is a clinical site of the Cranfield University Postgraduate Medical School, has strong links with Cambridge University Medical School and boasts a comprehensive and proactive research and development programme.

This is an exciting time for Bedfordshire Hospitals. The hospital will continue to develop its clinical capabilities to enable it to achieve national and international recognition.Bedford and Luton are towns which provide easy access to London, the North of England and beyond through its rail links and M1/A1/A14 accessibility.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will form part of a team providing microbiology, antibiotic stewardship and infection control services. It is intended that the appointee will on occasion, rotate between hospitals. The successful candidate will be joining the cross site on call rota (1:6) for out of hours service.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

Our Values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Details Date posted

09 May 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Specialty Doctor

Salary

£59,175 to £95,400 a year (per annum)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

416-P-M-027 In Micro

Job locations

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

Job description Job responsibilities

Clinical ResponsibilitiesLiaison with clinicians, hospital staff and GPs concerning the diagnosis and management of patients and the prevention of infection. Day-to-day interpretation and authorisation of the results obtained. Multidisciplinary ward rounds.Participate in on-call for microbiology and infection prevention adviceDevelopment (in conjunction with colleagues) and authorisation of SOPs

Implementing audit programmesCross cover for annual leave of colleagues as far as practical.

Infection ControlCo-operating in the investigation and prevention of communicable disease in the community.Speciality doctor will work closely with the Infection Prevention and Control Nurses (3.0 WTE IPCNs), providing advice in respect of infection prevention and control measures

Teaching and TrainingSupervision and training of junior medical staff within the Trust on relevant aspects of microbiology.Participating in Microbiology Clinical Team Meeting once a month for discussing new advances, guidelines and learning from clinical cases in Microbiology.

AdministrativeContributing to management within the Microbiology Department and within the TrustActing as custodian of data under the Data Protection Act.

Audit &ResearchThe Trust will support the appointee in carrying out appropriate audit or research.There are currently a number of research projects on-going with the Department.

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Job description Job responsibilities

Clinical ResponsibilitiesLiaison with clinicians, hospital staff and GPs concerning the diagnosis and management of patients and the prevention of infection. Day-to-day interpretation and authorisation of the results obtained. Multidisciplinary ward rounds.Participate in on-call for microbiology and infection prevention adviceDevelopment (in conjunction with colleagues) and authorisation of SOPs

Implementing audit programmesCross cover for annual leave of colleagues as far as practical.

Infection ControlCo-operating in the investigation and prevention of communicable disease in the community.Speciality doctor will work closely with the Infection Prevention and Control Nurses (3.0 WTE IPCNs), providing advice in respect of infection prevention and control measures

Teaching and TrainingSupervision and training of junior medical staff within the Trust on relevant aspects of microbiology.Participating in Microbiology Clinical Team Meeting once a month for discussing new advances, guidelines and learning from clinical cases in Microbiology.

AdministrativeContributing to management within the Microbiology Department and within the TrustActing as custodian of data under the Data Protection Act.

Audit &ResearchThe Trust will support the appointee in carrying out appropriate audit or research.There are currently a number of research projects on-going with the Department.

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Person Specification Qualification Essential

• Basic Medical Microbiology degree
• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification

Desirable

• RCPath

Eligibility Essential

• Full GMC Registration
• Minimum of 2 years clinical experience in this specialty

Desirable

• Eligibility to work in the UK

Clinical Skills Essential

• Relevant specialty clinical knowledge

Desirable

• Audit: evidence of active participation in audit

Person Specification Qualification Essential

• Basic Medical Microbiology degree
• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification

Desirable

• RCPath

Eligibility Essential

• Full GMC Registration
• Minimum of 2 years clinical experience in this specialty

Desirable

• Eligibility to work in the UK

Clinical Skills Essential

• Relevant specialty clinical knowledge

Desirable

• Audit: evidence of active participation in audit

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)