Consultant Microbiologist

Job overview

There is strategic collaboration between RWT and WHT with a joint CE, Chairman of the board and some other executive roles. The joint Trust strategy for the next 5 years focuses on care, colleagues, collaboration, and communities. In line with this vision, the 2 sites moved to a shared microbiology consultant on-call service from October 2023.

We are looking for a friendly, enthusiastic infection specialist to join our team to provide infection and infection prevention advice to RWT and the wider community. The post is full time, but applications are welcome from individuals wishing to work part time.

The microbiology service is a clinically orientated and highly visible specialty, which is very well respected throughout the organisations. Consultant colleagues are approachable and engaged in seeking appropriate and timely infection specialist advice.

We enjoy good working relationships with clinical departments by visiting clinical areas in person to discuss positive blood culture results, supporting MDTs and OPAT and regularly attend the critical care unit to advise on infection management.

Main duties of the job

The post within the Microbiology team at Wolverhampton will provide an advisory and clinical service to the patient population served by RWT. The Microbiology Consultants work closely with the Infection Prevention team. The TB Team, IV Resource Team, Surgical Site Surveillance Team and a Catheter Project group are managed through the Senior Nursing IP Team

The BCPS hub laboratory is based at RWT. Microbiology consultants from all sites have allocated an area of the laboratory to lead on to assist with SOPs and addressing governance issues. However, since the RWT consultants are on the same site as the hub they have a particular responsibility for the day-to-day issues in the lab. There is a monthly laboratory governance meeting which all consultants can attend.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

It is anticipated that some of the activities listed below will evolve as BCPS continues to develop.

• To liaise with clinicians, hospital staff and general practitioners in the diagnosis, management and prevention of infection in collaboration with the existing Consultant Microbiologists. This will include positive blood culture ward rounds including a regular critical care round to review the most unwell patients, weekly C difficile ward round, antimicrobial stewardship rounds, OPAT, neonatal unit liaison at RWT, and attendance at the regular MDTs that involve infection advice (clinical haematology MDT, cardiothoracic/cardiology MDT, spinal MDT, TB MDT, PJI MDT). Some MDTs are site specific and some MDTs such as haematology cover both sites.
• Together with the Clinical Lead to ensure that professional standards are maintained in the laboratory in collaboration with Biomedical Scientist Section Managers. Safety and quality assurance standards required to satisfy UKAS accreditation are the duty of all staff.
• Authorisation and interpretation of results issued by the laboratory.
• In conjunction with the Clinical Lead and the clinical governance committee and in co-operation with the Service Lead (BMS) to ensure that the service is cost-effective and that tests are clinically relevant.
• To provide, in conjunction with the Infection & Prevention Doctor, infection prevention and control advice to RWT and the wider community and to assist in the implementation of infection & prevention policies.
• To co-operate with the UKHSA West Midlands Health Protection Team and Environmental Health Officers in management and prevention of communicable diseases within the community.
• To undertake on-call consultative microbiology in co-operation with the team of Consultant Microbiologists. This includes a commitment to undertake weeknight and weekend on-call. It is expected that the post-holder will be present in the laboratory for 6 hours on Saturday and Sunday when on-call and Monday is given as time off in lieu for this. Cover for absence (study/annual leave or illness) will usually be arranged between the Consultants.
• To formulate and assist in implementation of policies for the use of antimicrobials in RWT. Support of antimicrobial stewardship and where appropriate attendance at antimicrobial stewardship committee and medicines management committee meetings.
• To participate in the planning of pathology services in co-operation with other Consultant Pathologists within BCPS.
• To participate in audit activities
• To participate in training of junior medical staff within the department.
• To participate in the Trusts’ Undergraduate Medical Training Programme for students from Birmingham University Medical School. Also, to participate in postgraduate teaching programmes for medical, laboratory and nursing staff.
• To develop relevant research interests. Laboratory space is restricted however projects may be accommodated within the laboratory.
• To participate in the Royal College of Pathologists programme for Continuing Professional Development, as outlined in College guidelines published in January 1999 to include elements of Microbiology and Virology. Both financial support and time are available for study leave by agreement with the Clinical Director for BCPS.