Specialist Grade Doctor Microbiology

We are looking for an enthusiastic and driven candidate to be part of our microbiology clinical team, as a Specialist Doctor. The service is embracing new ideas to enable us to support expanding and ever changing demands on microbiology. This role is new to our service, and will work within our consultant team and closely with our laboratory to manage Trust and primary care workload, and develop a service fit for the future. The role is offered at 10PA's with a 1.4PA on call premium.

CDDFT pathology is embracing change and this is an opportunity to help shape the service - new equipment and new laboratory information systems are in the pipeline for delivery over the next 2 years, so we are looking for someone with vision to fit into our team and support this exciting period of change.

The service provides a wide range of microbiology, virology and serology testing to the County Durham and Darlington population of 600,000 residents. You will work closely with the laboratory and with clinical staff across the Trust and primary care sector, providing diagnostic results and clinial advice. On call provision is an expected part of this role, supporting a 24/7 laboratory.

The appointee, as part of the team, will be responsible for the provision of a comprehensive, efficient and cost-effective diagnostic and clinical microbiology service (including bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology).

Provide appropriate advice and result interpretation on the tests performed within the department under the overall supervision of the Consultant Microbiologist. This includes making interpretation and decisions on aberrant results and discussions with Clinicians including advice on interpretation and further investigations. Ward rounds are an important part of the role.

Be a member of Infection Control team and participate in providing infection Prevention and control services to the Trust and other users of the service helping consultant colleagues and infection control nurses to deal with day to day infection control management across the Trust. Be involved with root cause analysis and action planning where incidents do occur.

This post will predominantly cover clinical service but in addition may have the need for the appointee to attend RCA, MDT meetings where required

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

From April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary £23,200, to apply you must have Right to Work in the United Kingdom. If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

The service is delivered mainly for 2 acute sites, the University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial hospital. Based on service needs and in agreement with the appointing manager and applicant, the applicants base will be University Hospital of North Durham OR Darlington Memorial Hospital. The post holder will however be required to work at any location within the Trust.

The successful applicant will be expected to take part in all aspects of work in the department. The appointee will share in the general administrative and management duties of the department; take part in supervision, review and development of the laboratory service.

To perform a broad and demanding range of clinical and managerial work in order to maintain working practices in the Clinical Microbiology laboratory. The successful applicant will closely with the consultant microbiology team. This will be at times under their guidance and supervision, and, as needed, they will also be able to work with considerable autonomy including decision making. There will be a compulsory on call commitment as part of this post

Key areas:

Clinical

Provide appropriate advice and result interpretation on the tests performed within the department under the overall supervision of the Consultant Microbiologist.

Liaison with clinicians, hospital staff and GP`s concerning the diagnosis and management of patients and prevention of infection, visiting wards as necessary. Provide appropriate advice and result interpretation on the tests performed within the department under the overall supervision of the Consultant Microbiologist.

In order to maintain specialist knowledge in the clinical microbiology of the acutely ill Patient there is a requirement to attend ward rounds in the Intensive Care Unit (and other areas as requested).

To maintain awareness of analytical methods employed and understand their reactions, limitations and causes of interference and error. This knowledge will be applied when validating reports, identifying errors and explaining anomalous results to clinicians

To use patterns of abnormalities in laboratory results together with clinical details on a patient and general clinical knowledge and experience to formulate advice on differential diagnoses and the appropriateness of ongoing investigations/treatments.

Provide advice and interpretation of test results to clinicians, either directly, or via participation in the departments duty rota.

This post will predominantly cover clinical service but in addition may have the need for the appointee to attend RCA, MDT meetings where required.

Infection Control

Be a member of Infection Control team and participate in providing infection Prevention and control services to the Trust and other users of the service

Liaison with trust IPCT team in day to day infection control regarding alert organisms and outbreaks.

Active involvement in investigation of infection control incidents and in action planning and implementation to reduce hospital acquired infection is expected.

There will be a need to be involved in root cause analysis following infection control incidents.

Laboratory

To be involved in all aspects of the day-to-day operation to UKAS standards of the Clinical Microbiology laboratory with appropriate technical support.

Regular daily liaison with the laboratory technical staff

Reporting of laboratory results, authorizing and providing medical interpretation as appropriate

The appointee, together with consultant colleagues will be a responsible for the provision of a comprehensive, efficient and cost-effective diagnostic and clinical microbiology service (including bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology).

To provide clinical input to the laboratory manager to enable effective management of the automated Clinical Microbiology activities in the Trust including: Advising the section senior on the clinical implications of quality issues (EQA and IQC) that can be used to help inform their action plan.

Participate in the introduction of new methods and preparations of business case/plan.

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• Eligible for full registration with the GMC at the time of appointment
• Evidence of extensive post graduate clinical experience, with significant experience in a relevant specialty in the Specialty Doctor and/or closed Associate Specialist Grade.
• Eligibility to work in the UK.

• FRCpath qualification

• Relevant specialty clinical knowledge:
• Capacity to apply sound clinical knowledge relevant to the job, and work towards FRCPath if not alreay achieved.
• Clinical judgement: experience in making clinical decisions and managing risk. Knows when to seek help able to prioritise clinical need.
• Proven ability to work effectively in different clinical settings required in the job.

• Proven publication record in an area of clinical microbiology.
• Demonstrate an interest in general microbiology and another specialty area

• GMC

• Previous experience in a Clinical Microbiology laboratory at Specialty Doctor or equivalent.
• Practical ability, with developed technical skills, in the laboratory using a wide range of techniques.
• Ability to perform research, development and audit activities.
• Able to use basic computer programmes such as Work, Excel and Powerpoint.
• Able to manage clinical authorisation and clinical decision making.