Job summary An opportunity has arisen for two full-time Specialty Doctor posts in Medical Microbiology and Virology to join the team at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. These newly posts have been established to enhance the delivery of the clinical microbiology service. This post offers the opportunity to work with four Consultant Microbiologists within a major department in one of the larger Trusts in the East of England. The laboratory has seen significant advancements in molecular diagnostics, increasing its in-house testing capacity for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, and has built a resilient response to the pandemic in recent years. As part of the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board's (HWE ICB) reconfiguration of pathology services into a network model, laboratory services will transition to management by Health Services Laboratories (HSL) from 1st March 2025. Main duties of the job The appointed candidates, in collaboration with consultant colleagues, will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive and efficient clinical microbiology, virology, and infection prevention and control service. This includes providing proactive and timely clinical input alongside fellow consultants, nurses, pharmacists, and the infection prevention and control team. The role also involves supporting the local Health Protection Unit and UKHSA in matters related to the diagnosis, control, and prevention of infections within the community. Active participation in audits relating to infection control, antimicrobial stewardship, and clinical pathways is strongly encouraged to support service improvement, promote standardisation, and enhance overall quality of care. About us With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitmentnhs.net If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. Date posted 31 March 2025 Pay scheme Hospital medical and dental staff Grade Specialty Doctor Salary £59,175 to £95,400 a year plus £149 HCA per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number TEMP_500 Job locations Cross Site Cross Site WD18 0HB Job description Job responsibilities The appointee will be expected to contribute to core activities as follow: Daily ward rounds including ITU rounds. Clinical advice by telephone or by correspondence. Authorisation and interpretation of results where significant results. are validated and authorised by the Medical Microbiologists. Infection prevention and control, antimicrobial stewardship advice. Joining and leading clinical handover meetings, supervising trainees and medical school students. Review referral to OPAT and preparing /leading on weekly MDT meetings. Policy and SOP preparation. Quality assurance performance within the department, including taking part in all relevant National External Quality Assurance (NEQAS) programmes. Business planning, including the assessment and introduction of new methods, and forward planning for staff and technology. Compliance with health and safety requirements. The responsibilities also include accountabilities for all aspects of clinical governance (including quality assurance and accreditation) as well as participation in Clinical Governance activities with the pathology users and attendance at Pathology Directorate meetings. Participation in audits and clinical pathways to enable service improvement. Teaching doctors in trainings, nurses and students The successful candidate will be expected to provide a clinical service in line with their interest and experience and to meet the needs (requirements) of the Trust as agreed with relevant clinical teams. Strengthening the interface between laboratory and clinical services generally will be strongly encouraged and supported. Job description Job responsibilities The appointee will be expected to contribute to core activities as follow: Daily ward rounds including ITU rounds. Clinical advice by telephone or by correspondence. Authorisation and interpretation of results where significant results. are validated and authorised by the Medical Microbiologists. Infection prevention and control, antimicrobial stewardship advice. Joining and leading clinical handover meetings, supervising trainees and medical school students. Review referral to OPAT and preparing /leading on weekly MDT meetings. Policy and SOP preparation. Quality assurance performance within the department, including taking part in all relevant National External Quality Assurance (NEQAS) programmes. Business planning, including the assessment and introduction of new methods, and forward planning for staff and technology. Compliance with health and safety requirements. The responsibilities also include accountabilities for all aspects of clinical governance (including quality assurance and accreditation) as well as participation in Clinical Governance activities with the pathology users and attendance at Pathology Directorate meetings. Participation in audits and clinical pathways to enable service improvement. Teaching doctors in trainings, nurses and students The successful candidate will be expected to provide a clinical service in line with their interest and experience and to meet the needs (requirements) of the Trust as agreed with relevant clinical teams. Strengthening the interface between laboratory and clinical services generally will be strongly encouraged and supported. Person Specification Education and qualifications: Essential MBBS or equivalent FRCPath I. Eligible to undertake the FRCPath II. Full registration (and a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC). Applicants that are UK trained, must have Completed Training, (or be within six months of Completion of Training by date of interview. Applicants that are non-UK trained; they will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK Training. Desirable MD or PhD. MRCP or evidence of equivalent qualification. Specialist registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) (or eligible for registration within six months of interview). Knowledge: Essential Up to date evidence-based practice in the field of infection. To have a thorough knowledge of antibiotics, stewardship, and clinical use of antibiotics and management of infectious diseases. Experience: Essential Have wide experience and training in Clinical Microbiology. Have broad and in-depth clinical experience of management of patients with infections. Experience in infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship principles. Desirable Experience in management of Infectious diseases. Experience in teaching at undergrad/postgrad level medical students, junior doctors, clinical scientists and other laboratory staff. Record of achievement in audit activities and research. Person Specification Education and qualifications: Essential MBBS or equivalent FRCPath I. Eligible to undertake the FRCPath II. Full registration (and a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC). Applicants that are UK trained, must have Completed Training, (or be within six months of Completion of Training by date of interview. Applicants that are non-UK trained; they will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK Training. Desirable MD or PhD. MRCP or evidence of equivalent qualification. Specialist registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) (or eligible for registration within six months of interview). Knowledge: Essential Up to date evidence-based practice in the field of infection. To have a thorough knowledge of antibiotics, stewardship, and clinical use of antibiotics and management of infectious diseases. Experience: Essential Have wide experience and training in Clinical Microbiology. Have broad and in-depth clinical experience of management of patients with infections. Experience in infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship principles. Desirable Experience in management of Infectious diseases. Experience in teaching at undergrad/postgrad level medical students, junior doctors, clinical scientists and other laboratory staff. Record of achievement in audit activities and research. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Address Cross Site Cross Site WD18 0HB Employer's website http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)