NHS Locum Consultant in Microbiology
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for enthusiastic and dedicated individual to join North Midlands and Cheshire Pathology Service (NMCPS) Infection Sciences department. We welcome applicants with CCT in either Microbiology or joint Microbiology and Infectious diseases.The appointee will be part of a team of four Consultant Microbiologists based at Royal Stoke University Hospital (University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust) and a Consultant Microbiologists based at Mid Cheshire NHS Foundation Trust who collectively provide a comprehensive clinical Microbiology / ID service to the Trusts served by the NMCPS.
The post is a full time and is primarily based at the Royal Stoke University Hospital (RSUH) site. The post has an allocation of 11.5 PAs and category B rating (5%) for Out of Hours work. Whilst the post is offered on a full-time basis the Trust would welcome discussion with individuals looking for a more flexible working pattern to support a different work life balance.
Main duties of the job
The clinical microbiology duties are well organised and there are several ward rounds/ MDTs each week.
The Trusts have robust IP and AMS teams in which microbiologists/ ID physicians actively involved. Clinical microbiology is supported by a well-equipped modern automated laboratory and highly skilled technical team.
The laboratory is fully accredited by UKAS accreditation against ISO 15189 and participates in all relevant EQA schemes.
Working for our organisation
Our mission is to provide the very best health care includes recruiting the best people and our goal is to be a world-class centre, where patients receive the highest standards of care and the best people come to learn, work and research.
University Hospitals of North Midlands has two sites: Royal Stoke University Hospital, located in Stoke-on-Trent, and County Hospital, located in Stafford. From these hospitals we provide a full range of general acute hospital services for people living in and around Staffordshire and beyond.The Trust also provides specialised services for three million people in a wider area, including neighbouring counties and North Wales.
Our specialised services include cancer diagnosis and treatment, cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, renal and dialysis services, neonatal intensive care and paediatric intensive care. We are recognised for our particular expertise in trauma, respiratory conditions, spinal surgery, upper gastro-intestinal surgery, complex orthopaedic surgery, laparoscopic surgery and the management of liver conditions.The Trust has some of the most modern operating theatres in Europe.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information about the role.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Applicants that are UK trained, must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview.
- Applicants that are non-UK trained; they will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
- Applicants that are not on the specialist register are required to possess the FRCPath and be in a position to submit a CESR application within 3 months of appointment
- FRCPath or evidence of equivalent qualification.
- Mb ChB / MBBS or evidence of equivalent qualification.
- Full and specialist registration (with a licence to practice) with the General Medical Council (GMC) or be eligible for registration within six months of interview.
- Evidence of additional qualification relevant to Microbiology and Infection Control.
- MRCP or evidence of equivalent qualification.
- Higher Medical Degree PhD/MD.
Experience
Essential criteria- Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in microbiology, microbiology & infectious diseases
- Vast experience in the diagnosis and treatment of infections
- Evidence of working in the UK infections disease unit
- Experience in infection control or experience in clinical virology and molecular diagnostic microbiology
Achievements
Essential criteria- Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems
- An awareness of current speciality specific developments, initiatives and issues.
- Knowledge of the principles involved in research.
- Evidence of audit and the implementation of change following the audit
- Evidence of having undertaken original research
- Publications in relevant peer-reviewed journals in the last five years
Management Experience
Essential criteria- Ability to organise and prioritise workload effectively.
- Ability to plan strategically and to exercise sound judgements when faced with conflicting pressures.
- General exposure to and understanding of managerial issues.
- Sense of understanding and commitment to corporate responsibility.
- Able to support the Clinical Director of Pathology
- Ability to teach clinical skills to medical staff and medical students, and other disciplines.
- Management experience
- Experience of supervising trainee Microbiologists
- Training in medical education
Professional and Multidisciplinary Team Working
Essential criteria- Ability to work effectively with colleagues and within a team
- All correspondence will be sent to you via the email address you applied from. Please ensure you check your emails regularly.
- References - please ensure you provide email addresses for all referees for the last three years of employment.
- We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from everyone regardless of ethnicity, disability, gender, age, faith or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.
- Flexible working will be considered in line with Trust policies
- New recruits are required to pay for their Disclosure and Barring Service check (and admin fee) prior to starting if the role requires a DBS check.
- We work with ‘trac.jobs’ to support out recruitment process. If you have any queries regarding this please read this privacy notice.
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has been awarded the Gold Award for proudly supporting those who serve. We actively encourage applications from the Armed Forces community.
We will communicate with you regarding your job application via email. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee the security of any emails sent/received via non encrypted format.
If you would like support completing an application form, please contact the recruitment department on 01782 675533 where one of our trained assistants will be able to help
At UHNM we are fortunate to receive a high volume of applications for many of our roles, on this occasion we would reserve the right to close any advert early, therefore please apply without delay!
If you obtained your qualifications overseas, you will be required to provide an official government translation through ECCTIS (formerly known as NARIC). Please note, this is in addition to any professional registration requirements and not a replacement for your qualifications.
If you are currently in the UK on a visa, you must have at least six months remaining on your visa at the time of your start date to ensure sufficient time for the operational and training process associated with the role. The requirement of at least six months remaining on your visa does not apply to a Skilled Worker Visa, as a new Skilled Worker Visa would be required for a new role.
In line with the change of Immigration rules on 8th January 2026 if you require Sponsorship through the Skilled Worker Visa you must be able to provide B2 English evidence before a Certificate of Sponsorship can be issued.
Visa eligibility notice: The UK Home Office has imposed an emergency brake on specific visa routes.- Skilled Worker visas cannot currently be issued to Afghan nationals.
- Study visas cannot currently be issued to nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar or Sudan.
As a result, we are unable to progress applications requiring sponsorship under these routes.
UHNM supports the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist in preparing your supporting statement. However, we reserve the right to reject applications where AI has been used in a misleading manner, for example, by implying experience or understanding that the applicant does not possess or where its use is excessive or unfair.If AI has been used to support your application, you must declare this within your submission.