Specialty Doctor - Microbiology

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking two full-time Specialty Doctors in Medical Microbiology and Virology. The role involves collaboration with consultant microbiologists to deliver an effective microbiology service. Candidates will engage in infection prevention and control and improve clinical pathways through active participation in audits. This position offers an exciting opportunity within a department that emphasizes staff wellbeing and development, with flexible working options.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Support for staff wellbeing and development

Opportunities for informal visits

Qualifications

• Must be a licensed physician with a background in microbiology.
• Experience in audit and clinical service improvement recommended.
• Strong collaborative skills for working within clinical teams.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a comprehensive clinical microbiology and virology service.
• Provide proactive clinical input alongside consultants and healthcare teams.
• Support infection control initiatives in the community.

Skills

Clinical microbiology

Virology

Infection prevention

Antimicrobial stewardship

Audit participation

Education

MBBS or equivalent

Specialist training in Microbiology

Job description

An opportunity has arisen for two full-time Specialty Doctor posts in Medical Microbiology and Virology to join the team at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

These newly posts have been established to enhance the delivery of the clinical microbiology service.

This post offers the opportunity to work with four Consultant Microbiologists within a major department in one of the larger Trusts in the East of England. The laboratory has seen significant advancements in molecular diagnostics, increasing its in-house testing capacity for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, and has built a resilient response to the pandemic in recent years.

As part of the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board’s (HWE ICB) reconfiguration of pathology services into a network model, laboratory services will transition to management by Health Services Laboratories (HSL) from 1st March 2025.

The appointed candidates, in collaboration with consultant colleagues, will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive and efficient clinical microbiology, virology, and infection prevention and control service. This includes providing proactive and timely clinical input alongside fellow consultants, nurses, pharmacists, and the infection prevention and control team.

The role also involves supporting the local Health Protection Unit and UKHSA in matters related to the diagnosis, control, and prevention of infections within the community.

Active participation in audits relating to infection control, antimicrobial stewardship, and clinical pathways is strongly encouraged to support service improvement, promote standardisation, and enhance overall quality of care.

With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.

We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.

Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.

www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking

If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact [e-mail]

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Dr Hala Kandil Job title: Microbiology consultant Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 01923 217592