Consultant Support

We are looking for an enthusiastic and driven candidate to be part of our microbiology clinical team, as a Consultant in Infection (Medical microbiology or Medical Microbiology and infectious diseases). Part time applications with prorate on call will be considered.
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. On call provision is an expected part of this role, supporting a 24/7 laboratory.
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 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.
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).
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
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



This is a consultant post in Infection (Medical microbiology or Medical Microbiology and infectious diseases)
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. This includes active participation in clinical audit, quality, clinical guidelines/pathways, and professional development.
The post holder will provide, working with other colleagues, clinical advice on medical microbiology to clinical staff in hospitals and in the community, and within the area served by the laboratory and consultants in communicable disease control, environmental health and others. The appointee will be expected to work with local managers and professional colleagues in the efficient running of the services and will share with Consultant colleagues in providing a clinical microbiology service to the Trust and local CCGs. This post will predominantly cover clinical service but in addition may have the need for the appointee to attend RCA, MDT meetings where required.
Liaison with Public Health England and Health Protection Unit to manage infections and notification of notifiable diseases.
To provide medical input and oversight of policies, procedures and guidelines produced with microbiology, or those produced by other departments that impact on microbiology.
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.
Once the post holder is established they would be expected to participate in the on call rota. 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.
To be involved in all aspects of the day-to-day operation to UKAS standards of the Clinical Microbiology laboratory with appropriate technical support.
Reporting of laboratory results, authorizing and providing medical interpretation as appropriate
The appointee 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).
Advising the section senior on the clinical implications of quality issues (EQA and IQC) that can be used to help inform their action plan.
The service is embracing new ideas to enable us to support expanding and ever changing demands on microbiology.
Share responsibility for quality assurance performance within the department including taking part in all relevant NEQAS programmes.
Works with operational members of laboratory staff to implement the departmental policies. Assesses the budgetary, clinical and logistical implications of new guidance, whether National, Regional or local and liaise with other departments in order to provide the required level of service.
Provide clinical input whilst the department is evaluating new methods or equipment and producing reports including statistical analysis and graphical representations of data.
Monitor and advice on budgets and resources in the service as required.
Provide clinical leadership and training of staff.
There is the opportunity to take an active role in developing one of the key roles supported by the microbiology clinical team. The OPAT service.
Diabetic foot Infection service
Additional activities would be considered through job planning and allocation of funding (PA) once in post where appropriate. The appointee will be expected to cover colleagues in their absence, and will be expected to deputise in the absence of colleagues in cases of annual leave, study leave and sickness as far as is practicable and ensure continuous patient care
Teaching The Consultants will be expected to participate in teaching of other junior medical staff, medical students and other staff as appropriate.
It is expected that the appointees will actively participate within departmental audit and support cross-specialty audits
MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
Full registration with the General Medical Council
Inclusion of the GMC Specialist Register or within 6 months of expected date of CCT or CSST in Medical Microbiology and/or Infectious Diseases.
Evidence of significant experience in a senior clinical role.
Full and specialist registration (and a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC)
Progression through further training with achievement of professional qualifications
Training expertise
Evidence of of significant experience in a senior clinical role e.g. Clinical judgement: experience in making clinical decisions and managing risk. Knows when to seek help able to prioritise clinical need.
Experience of advising infection control for estates projects
Able to use basic computer programmes such as Work, Excel and Powerpoint.
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust