Consultant Microbiologist (1 post for 8.5 PA and 1 post for 7 PA)

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust is looking to recruit two forward thinking and motivated consultant microbiologists/consultants in infection to join the microbiology team in providing a comprehensive clinical microbiology, infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship service for the Trust and to primary care and public health colleagues.

These are replacement Consultant microbiologist/Consultants in infection posts. One is a part time substantive post comprising of 8.5 programmed activities (PAs) whereas the other is a substantive part time position comprising 7 PAs. The 8.5PA role may increase to a full time substantive post comprising of 10PA on appointment of the role.

The successful applicants will join a team of two consultant microbiologists and two Speciality doctors to deliver the service. The appointees will also be offered opportunities to lead on either antimicrobial stewardship programme or laboratory related issues. There is an opportunity to deputise on the leadership of, and also participate in, the successful OPAT programme.

There is a variable and interesting infection-related patient cohort, an excellent electronic patient record system and opportunity for hybrid working i.e. Consultants who are not required to be on-site for clinical duties may be able to work remotely on rotation with other members of the service

Main duties of the job

• Clinical microbiology (including bacteriology, virology, mycology, mycobacteriology etc.) practice and liaison which will include advising consultants, GPs, trainee doctors, other doctors, nurses etc.,
• Laboratory practice including interpretation and authorisation of results, communicating urgent results to clinical teams as per local protocol, contributing to updating of standard operating procedures and contribute to ensuring the laboratory is up to date with accreditation
• Participation in antimicrobial ward rounds and other multi-disciplinary meetings
• Maintenance of infection prevention and control precautions and also participation in outbreak and incident related meetings
• Antimicrobial stewardship lead: This will for one of the successful applicants. The lead can also deputise the OPAT lead and participate in the OPAT activities
• Laboratory issues lead: one of the successful candidate will be offered the opportunity to lead on laboratory related issues.
• The successful applicants will be encouraged to develop a relevant subspecialty interest, to participate in audits and also to participate in research, subject to resources and local priorities

About us

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provide hospital and community services from a number of community and specialist clinics throughout Croydon. These include:o Croydon University Hospital o Purley Hospital o The Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre in Thornton Heath o Community bases at Purley, Sanderstead, New Addington, Broad Green, Woodside o A minor injuries unit in New Addington Croydon and our Children's Hospital at Home cares for children with long-term conditions without them having to come to hospital. We are a very close-knit and friendly organization where every one of our 3600 members of staff is valued. We strongly believe that our employees are our greatest asset.Our Vision: "Excellent integrated care for you and your family, when and where you need it" Our 5 key 'Here for you' promises to the people of Croydon are:o You feel cared for by helpful and welcoming staff o You feel in safe hands with highly professional staff o You feel confident in your treatment from skilled teams of compassionate clinicians o You feel we value your time with convenient appointments, minimal waiting and care closer to homeo You feel it's getting better all the time as we continue to improve our services "As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination uptake as this remains the best line of defence against COVID19."

Job responsibilities

Most of the microbiology laboratory work is carried out at the South West London Pathology (SWLP) hub laboratory based at St. Georges Hospital, Tooting. As Croydon Health Service NHS Trust (CHS) is one of the Trusts that oversee SWLP network, the CHS microbiologists have a very close working relationship with colleagues at the SWLP hub laboratory and participate in all aspects of laboratory management and governance.

The post holders will be employed by the Croydon Health Service Trust (CHS) and the posts are based at the Croydon University Hospital (CUH) site. The successful applicants will join a team of two substantive Consultant Microbiologists and two Microbiology Speciality doctors to:

• Provide a comprehensive, efficient and cost effective clinical microbiology and infection service to CHS and other users of the service.
• Actively participate in antimicrobial stewardship activities
• Support the well established out-patient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) service.
• Participate in matters concerning infection prevention and control, clinical governance and audit
• Contribute to laboratory leadership

The out-of-hours service for these posts is a 1:6 rota remunerated at 1 PA and appropriate supplementary pay. Applicants who prefer doing alternative oncall frequencies are also encouraged to apply.

Person Specification

Medical Microbiology and Academic Qualifications and Registration

• Primary Medical Qualification
• FRCPath or Equivalent
• Full GMC Registration
• On specialist register or within 6 months
• Post-graduate Higher Degrees / Diplomas (eg PhD / MSc/ MD)

Clinical and Technical Experience

• Wide Experience in Laboratory and Clinical Microbiology
• Hands On Experience in Managing Complex Infections
• Experience of Dealing with Day to Day Infection Prevention and Control Issues
• Experience of managing Outbreaks
• Experience in Antimicrobial Stewardship
• Hands on Experience of Interpreting and Advising on Basic Virology Results and Queries

Management and Leadership

• Evidence of Participation in Management and Leadership Activities
• Good Knowledge of Clinical Risk Management and Untoward Incident Reporting
• Understanding of the Principles of Clinical Governance
• Management Course and/or Qualification
• Experience in the Development of Guidelines and Policies

Research & Audit

• Competence in Research and Audit
• Closing Audit Loops with Evidence of Improved Outcomes
• Excellence in Research: Publications / Presentations / Projects
• Ongoing Research Commitment

Teaching

• Evidence of Teaching
• Formal Teaching Qualification
• Convening Teaching and Training Courses
• Innovation in Medical Education

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.

£109,725 to £145,478 a yearper annum + London Weighting