Job summary
- Main area
- microbiology
- Grade
- NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (10 Programme Activities (PA))
- Hours
- Full time - 10 sessions per week
- Job ref
- 193-MS1248NCG
- Employer
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Berkshire Hospital
- Town
- Reading
- Salary
- £109,725 - £145,478 10 PA
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 29/09/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Locum Consultant in Infection
NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is “Working together to provide outstanding care for our community.”
Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements. The Trust’s overall rating has also improved to ‘good’.
We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions
We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate
We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live
We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, we value candidates who bring their unique personalities, skills, and experiences to the Trust. When completing your application, we encourage you to highlight your individual achievements and strengths, showing us how they align with the requirements outlined in the job description and person specification. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools during the process, please be mindful that AI-generated responses can often lack the personal detail and relevance needed to demonstrate your suitability for the role. AI generated content is discouraged by the Trust and may diminish the candidates chances of success.
Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don’t you come and join us. We offer a range of learning and development for all employees may you be clinical or non-clinical.
Job overview
This is a post for a full-time Consultant in Infection (10 PA), fixed term for 1 year, to join the 2 other consultants and a Specialty doctor in infection, and a resident doctor in Microbiology/ID. The post attracts an 8% on-call availability supplement.
Main duties of the job
1. To provide a 24/7 advisory clinical infection service including: advice regarding appropriate specimens, validation and interpretation of results for transmission to ward, clinical supervision of resident doctors and involvement in the management of individual patients through full clinical liaison to support patient management.
2. The clinical advisory service involves infection consults from hospital clinicians, GPs and Virtual Hospital Service clinical teams, ward rounds and multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings including 1 in 3 rota for OOH cover (including weekends and Bank Holidays).
3. To participate in the daily AMU Infection Round and ICU ward during the on-call week on 1:3 basis.
4. Participation in the specialists MDTs such as Orthopaedics, Cardiology, Nephrology, Haematology, TB and HIV etc. will be agreed among the consultants according to personal interest and may rotate between the consultants with mutual agreement. Currently these ward rounds and MDTs are taking place through Microsoft Teams.
5. To participate in Business Planning, including the assessment and introduction of new infections diagnostics and forward planning for staff requirements.
6. To participate in day-to-day IPC activities for the acute NHS support and support the IPCT in all IPC issues.
Working for our organisation
Diversity makes us interesting… Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.
Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.
If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.
Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. To provide a 24/7 advisory clinical infection service including: advice regarding appropriate specimens, validation and interpretation of results for transmission to ward, clinical supervision of resident doctors and involvement in the management of individual patients through full clinical liaison to support patient management.
2. The clinical advisory service involves infection consults from hospital clinicians, GPs and Virtual Hospital Service clinical teams, ward rounds and multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings including 1 in 3 rota for OOH cover (including weekends and Bank Holidays).
3. To participate in the daily AMU Infection Round and ICU ward during the on-call week on 1:3 basis.
4. Participation in the specialists MDTs such as Orthopaedics, Cardiology, Nephrology, Haematology, TB and HIV etc. will be agreed among the consultants according to personal interest and may rotate between the consultants with mutual agreement. Currently these ward rounds and MDTs are taking place through Microsoft Teams.
5. To participate in Business Planning, including the assessment and introduction of new infections diagnostics and forward planning for staff requirements.
6. To participate in day-to-day IPC activities for the acute NHS support and support the IPCT in all IPC issues.
7. To participate in enhancing the Trust’s commitment to good AMS.
8. To participate on a rotational basis in leading roles overseeing the governance and administrative duties of the microbiology laboratory, he Trust AMS programme and the IPC service.
9. To collaborate with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and regional and national reference and epidemiological facilities in the reporting and investigation of infections, control of outbreaks, assessment of vaccines, development of laboratory methods, involvement in surveys, etc.
10. To participate in the professional training of staff in the department, both medical and non-medical and contribute as required to teaching sessions for other hospital staff including undergraduate and postgraduate medical staff, participate in annual medical staff rounds as well as education and supervision of the junior medical staff
11. Research activities subject to the availability of funding and resources.
12. Participation in medical audit and quality improvement projects.
13. Participation in a recognised scheme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).Funding and study leave is provided for agreed purposes.
14. Participation in clinical governance activities as appropriate.
15. Participation in the Trust's consultant appraisal and GMC revalidation scheme.
16. Such additional duties as may be required from time to time by the Clinical Director of Pathology after appropriate consultation.
Person specification
Professional Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Primary medical degree. FRCPath by examination in Microbiology or evidence of equivalent qualification
- Full and specialist registration and a license to practice with the General Medical Council (GMC).
- If an applicant is UK trained, they must ALSO be a Holder of Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or within six months of award of CCT by date of interview
- If an applicant is non-UK trained, they will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
Desirable criteria
- Higher postgraduate qualification e.g., MRCP or evidence of equivalent qualification, MSc, DTM&H
- Membership of relevant Specialist societies or Associations
Clinical Experience & Skills
Essential criteria
- Evidence of working in a Department of Infection for in NHS
- Fully trained in Medical Microbiology and knowledge and experience of infection prevention and control
- Take responsibility to deliver the service without direct supervision
Desirable criteria
- Research commitment and a relevant speciality interest
Clinical Knowledge
Essential criteria
- On all aspects of microbiology/infection service including infection prevention and control, also demonstrates clear logical thinking and analytical approach
- Understands evidence-based practice
Audit Manage-ment & IT
Essential criteria
- Ability to work within clinical governance guidelines
- Able to manage/prioritise time and information effectively and capacity to organise own workload
- Undertake audits and present data as required
- Good IT skills, use of patient and hospital database
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of clinical leadership role, demonstrating accountability for quality of care, financial controls and efficient management of workforce
Research, Teaching skill & experience
Essential criteria
- Track record of publications in peer reviewed journals
- Experience in teaching and training both medical and non-medical staff
- Evidence or providing good teaching and supervision to trainees to the level of GMC accredited educational supervision level
Desirable criteria
- Educational qualification
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
- Ability to communicate with clarity and intelligently in written and spoken English
- Willingness to take responsibility and exert appropriate authority.
- Excellent Interpersonal Skills, and able to work within MDT
- Accountability: ability to take responsibility, lead, make decisions and exert appropriate authority
- Skills: ability to see patients as people, ability to empathize and work cooperatively with others
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dr George Jacob
- Job title
- Consultant Medical Microbiologist (CMM)
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01183225111
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