Consultant Microbiologist

Role Overview

The Consultant Microbiologist will provide clinical and laboratory-based microbiology services, supporting the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases across acute and community settings. The post holder will play a central role in infection prevention and control, antimicrobial stewardship, and service development, working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• Provide expert clinical microbiology advice to medical, surgical, and community teams.
• Interpret microbiological investigations and advise on appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
• Participate in ward rounds, multidisciplinary meetings, and clinical consultations.
• Support the management of complex infections, including healthcare-associated infections.
• Contribute to out-of-hours/on-call microbiology services where required.

Laboratory Oversight

• Supervise and support diagnostic microbiology laboratory services.
• Ensure quality standards are maintained in line with accreditation requirements.
• Collaborate with laboratory management to optimise workflows and introduce new diagnostic technologies.

Infection Prevention & Control (IPC)

• Lead and support infection prevention and control programmes.
• Advise on outbreak identification, investigation, and management.
• Develop and implement policies and guidelines to reduce healthcare-associated infections.
• Provide expert input on decontamination, isolation, and environmental hygiene practices.

Antimicrobial Stewardship

• Lead or contribute to antimicrobial stewardship initiatives.
• Promote prudent antimicrobial prescribing practices.
• Audit antimicrobial use and provide feedback to clinical teams.
• Develop and update antimicrobial guidelines.

Education & Training

• Provide teaching and training to medical staff, scientists, nurses, and students.
• Participate in continuing professional development (CPD) activities.
• Contribute to training programmes for junior doctors and laboratory personnel.

Audit, Research & Quality Improvement

• Participate in clinical audit and quality improvement initiatives.
• Engage in research activities where appropriate.
• Support innovation and service development within microbiology and infection services.

Administrative Duties

• Participate in departmental management and planning.
• Contribute to service strategy and policy development.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and reporting standards.