Job overview

The successful applicant will work as part of a team of Consultant Medical Microbiologists and a trainee HSST providing clinical medical microbiology, antimicrobial management and infection prevention and control services for the Trust, surrounding GPs and wider service users.

This is a full time (10 PA) and is an excellent opportunity for somebody wanting to pursue the CESR pathway.

CESR support can be offered to applicants wanting to pursue this pathway to GMC-specialist registration.

The post holder will bring clinical expertise, direction to the Microbiology Department and will contribute to the expansion and development of practice, the implementation of Clinical Governance, and the delivery of improved outcomes. The post holder will provide consultant and specialist advice to clinical and scientific staff within the Trust, Primary Care, the North West Region and Nationally.

The post holder will work closely with the Lancashire & South Cumbria Pathology Collaboration network which has been set up by the 4 regional trusts (Blackpool, Central Lancashire, Morecambe Bay and East Lancashire), aiming to provide a single Pathology service for the region.

Main duties of the job

Responsibilities are shared, each Consultant Microbiologist takes the lead for a clinical area such as Critical Care, Acute Medical Unit, Haematology/Oncology, Lancashire Cardiac Centre, Gastroenterology, Diabetic Foot Clinic, Respiratory, Antenatal etc. and is responsible for ward rounds, MDTs, antimicrobial stewardship, infection control issues, policy/procedure development in the allocated area.

The current team of Microbiologists delivers the clinical consultation services (including HCAI/antibiotic ward rounds) through dedicated ward rounds, multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings, infection consultation clinics (by rota), etc. Infection consultation clinics are via the Nerve Centre/electronic referrals (E-referrals).

Furthermore, the team will make all possible effort to ensure that the locally agreed standard turnaround times for specimens continue to be met. The team will also endeavour to support their clinical colleagues to gain full accreditation in those services in which the pathologists play a role.

Appraisal, Mandatory Training, and MDT attendance and cover are expected.

Working for our organisation

Blackpool Victoria Hospital is a busy hospital, serving a local population of 440,000 residents within Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire. With the inclusion of our Tertiary Haematology and Cardiac Services we support a population of around 1.6 million. The Trust employs over 6500 staff within its hospital and community arms with a turnover of around £370M. We have worked closely with our local commissioners to set up the Vanguard Extensive Care Service, supporting the highest risk patients to remain within a community setting.

Blackpool is a town on the North West coast of England well served by road, with Junction 4 of the M55 being a couple of miles from the hospital. There are new direct rail services to London from Blackpool North station or alternatively frequent connections from Preston, a major station on the West Coast Main Line. There are direct rail connections to Manchester Airport, which has direct flights to North America and Asia.

For colleagues with children we also have an on-site crèche and there are a number of private schools in the area. High quality housing is available locally and there is also extensive rental accommodation.  Opportunities for recreation are varied, from watching Rugby at Fylde or Football at Blackpool, to participating in sport at any of the local facilities. The beauty of the Lake District is within an hour’s drive and again is also accessible by train and or bus.