ScotlandMicrobiologyPermanentConsultant109,725 to 145,478 a year
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Consultant Microbiologist (with or without Infectious Diseases) to join a modern and well-equipped microbiology service in Scotland. This permanent consultant post offers the opportunity to work within a supportive multidisciplinary team delivering comprehensive microbiology, infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship services, while also providing opportunities to develop specialist interests in Infectious Diseases, OPAT, Infection Control or laboratory leadership.
- Provide a comprehensive Consultant Microbiology service across the region.
- Deliver expert clinical advice on microbiology and infectious diseases to hospital and primary care clinicians.
- Authorise and interpret microbiology laboratory results.
- Participate in daily clinical liaison with inpatient teams, including the Critical Care unit.
- Support Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) services across acute and community settings.
- Participate in multidisciplinary meetings including OPAT, Orthopaedics, Diabetic Foot Infection, Infectious Diseases, Paediatrics and Surgical Infection MDTs.
- Promote antimicrobial stewardship and evidence-based prescribing.
- Contribute to laboratory governance, quality assurance and UKAS accreditation standards.
- Develop specialist interests in Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Infection Prevention, OPAT or Antimicrobial Stewardship.
- Participate in clinical audit, research, teaching and service improvement initiatives.
- Supervise Biomedical Scientists and support laboratory service development.
- Contribute to departmental management, policy development and strategic planning.
- Participate in annual appraisal, job planning and continuing professional development (CPD).
This is a permanent Consultant Microbiologist position offering a flexible 10 PA job plan, with opportunities to tailor Supporting Professional Activities (SPA) according to individual interests. Candidates with dual accreditation in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases are encouraged to apply and may contribute to the Infectious Diseases ward work and OPAT clinics. Part-time applications will also be considered.
The Microbiology Department provides a comprehensive diagnostic service and is supported by:
- Two Consultant Microbiologists.
- Experienced Biomedical Scientist leadership team.
- Biomedical Scientists and laboratory support staff.
- Dedicated Infection Prevention & Control Team.
- Modern UKAS-accredited laboratories (ISO 15189:2022).
- Extensive molecular diagnostics, bacteriology, serology and mycology services.
- Advanced laboratory automation and digital reporting systems.
The successful consultant will contribute to a broad range of clinical microbiology services, including:
- Diagnostic Microbiology and Virology.
- Infection Prevention and Control.
- Antimicrobial Stewardship.
- OPAT (Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy).
- Clinical liaison with ICU and inpatient specialities.
- Daily ward consultations.
- Telephone and virtual microbiology advice.
- Public health and outbreak management support.
The department benefits from a modern laboratory environment with advanced diagnostic platforms, including:
- UKAS ISO 15189:2022 accredited laboratory.
- MALDI-TOF bacterial identification.
- Cobas PCR systems.
- Cepheid PCR platforms.
- BioFire molecular diagnostics.
- Vitek susceptibility testing.
- BD BACTEC blood culture systems.
- Apex Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
- ICNet infection surveillance platform.
- QPulse quality management system.
- Fully integrated national reporting systems.
Consultants play a key role in:
- Infection Prevention and Control leadership.
- Outbreak investigation and management.
- Antimicrobial Management Team meetings.
- Policy development and implementation.
- Clinical governance.
- Laboratory quality improvement.
- UKAS accreditation compliance.
- Clinical audit and risk management.
- Continuous service development.
The department has a strong commitment to education and professional growth through:
- Weekly journal clubs.
- Educational meetings.
- Teaching medical students and healthcare professionals.
- Participation in research and clinical audit.
- Annual appraisal and job planning.
- Up to 10 days of funded external study leave each year.
- Opportunities to develop specialist interests.
- Participation in Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
- Full GMC Registration.
- MBChB or equivalent medical qualification.
- FRCPath (or equivalent).
- MRCP (or equivalent for applicants with dual CCT in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases).
- Entry on the GMC Specialist Register in Medical Microbiology/Virology, or within six months of CCT.
- Broad-based Medical Microbiology experience.
- Recent experience in Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention & Control.
- Demonstrable commitment to antimicrobial stewardship.
- Excellent communication, leadership and multidisciplinary team-working skills.
- Ability to contribute to laboratory governance, service development and quality improvement.
- Commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD), clinical governance and audit.
- MD, PhD, MSc or other postgraduate qualification.
- Diploma in Hospital Infection Control.
- Diploma in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene.
- Experience in maintaining UKAS laboratory accreditation.
- Specialist expertise complementing existing consultant interests.
- Experience in clinical research.
- Leadership, teaching and staff training experience.
- Knowledge of service development, innovation and change management.
- Registration with the CPD Scheme.
