Applications are invited for a HCPC registered Consultant Clinical Scientist to join the microbiology team at County Durham and Darlington Foundation NHS trust. The successful applicant will join a dedicated and enthusiastic clinical & scientific team providing specialist infection services within County Durham.
CDDFT Pathology is embracing change and this is an opportunity to help shape the service. New equipment and laboratory information systems are in the pipeline for delivery in the next 2 years as part of our modernisation programme. If you have vision and dynamism, we want you to help drive this exciting period of change by further developing our service alongside our clinical & scientific workforce.
The service provides a wide range of microbiology, virology and serology testing to a population of 650,000 across County Durham and Darlington. Working closely with the scientific team and clinical staff across the trust and primary care settings you will help to provide a clinical diagnostic and advice service, supporting a 24/7 laboratory via in hours and on-call provision.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will join a team of Consultant Microbiologists and Specialty Doctors in providing clinical advice and guidance on: infectious diseases, the diagnosis, treatment & management of infections, infection prevention & control (IPC) and antimicrobial stewardship to the trust, GPs, clinics and services across County Durham.
The post holder will bring specialist clinical expertise and strategic direction to the clinical microbiology service by expanding and developing practice, implementing clinical governance and delivering improved outcomes within the clinical microbiology service.
You will also work collaboratively with the department senior scientific and management team to provide a comprehensive scientific service (analytical and interpretative) by the microbiology department to nationally accepted standards.
Job responsibilities
The post holder will:
1. Be able to independently discuss and advise clinicians on the interpretation of clinical microbiology results.
2. Lead ward rounds and clinical discussion meetings, multi-disciplinary teams (MDT) and clinical discussion meetings as required, giving advice on selection, availability and interpretation of microbiology tests, antimicrobial advice and infection prevention & control (IPC) guidance.
3. Take an active role in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) including: ward rounds attendance at Trust AMS meetings, antimicrobial guideline development, multi-disciplinary working with pharmacy and other teams to promote and ensure compliance with AMS strategies and policies.
4. Take an active role in infection prevention & control including support, advice and guidance to clinicians and IPC colleagues in support of the consultant microbiologist IPC lead.
5. Maintain up to date specialist expertise and knowledge of scientific developments and practice relevant to clinical microbiology and other relevant subjects including public health and IPC. Ensuring, where appropriate, that such knowledge is systematically passed on to all laboratory staff.
6. Ensure all quality and medico-legal requirements are fulfilled including accreditation to national standards. This will involve working with consultant microbiologists, management and senior laboratory staff to maintain all relevant documentation to the required standard within their area of responsibility.
7. Liaise with a range of staff both within the Trust and the wider health community regarding strategic organisational, analytical and interpretative aspects of work carried out by the clinical microbiology laboratory.
8. Take the scientific lead in the Clinical Microbiology Department on research and development, according to the established rules and guidelines within the Trust, on relevant scientific and clinical problems, within a chosen area of expertise.
9. Have consultant status and will be eligible for the roles of Clinical Lead for Microbiology and Pathology Clinical Lead.
10. To deputise for the department clinical lead, head of service or other consultants as required.
11. Take an active role in determining the strategic direction of the department, in collaboration with the Pathology Service.
12. Provide scientific, technical and clinical teaching and training relevant to clinical microbiology to students, laboratory & clinical staff and other healthcare providers.
13. Have particular responsibility for training clinical scientists, medical specialist trainees and biomedical scientists in microbiology.
14. Work with pathology managers to maintain a balanced budget for the microbiology department.
Person Specification
Statutory Registration
Essential
* Current Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Experience
Essential
* Significant experience as a HCPC registered Clinical Scientist in clinical microbiology and a broad and comprehensive experience in the field.
* Developed expertise in one or more specialized analytical or clinical areas.
* Good record of achievement in research, development and audit activities, through presentations at national or international conferences and publication in peer reviewed journals.
* Demonstrable leadership experience.
Qualifications
Essential
* First or second class honours degree in microbiology or assessed equivalent level of knowledge and expertise.
* MSc in microbiology or assessed equivalent level of knowledge.
* PhD in a relevant specialty or equivalent demonstrable experience.
* Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Science, or externally assessed as equivalent.
* Leadership or management qualification or equivalent experience.
* Demonstration of Continuing Professional Development by participation in the Royal College of Pathologists scheme or equivalent.
* Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists by examination (part 1 & 2) in the specialty, or evidence of equivalent qualification, or evidence of experience and achievement at the similar level.
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
University Hospital Of North Durham
North Road
Durham
DH1 5TW #J-18808-Ljbffr