Consultant in Infectious Diseases & Microbiology

The post holder will provide a combined Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology service, working closely with consultant colleagues, laboratory staff and multidisciplinary teams. Main duties include:

• Providing specialist advice on the diagnosis, investigation and treatment of infection, including interpreting microbiology results and reviewing patients with complex infections.
• Delivering inpatient consultations, in-reach services and outpatient clinics, and participating in the weekly Infection multidisciplinary team meeting.
• Contributing to the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Service, including reporting results, quality assurance, laboratory management, policy development and accreditation.
• Taking on the role of Trust Antimicrobial Stewardship Lead, with dedicated sessions in the job plan, working closely with the antimicrobial pharmacist and clinical teams to review prescribing, develop antimicrobial guidelines and deliver education.
• Working with the Infection Prevention and Control Team to advise on infection risks and support safe patient care.
• Participating in the shared Bradford and Airedale 1-in-6 Category A on-call rota and providing equitable cross-cover for consultant colleagues.
• Contributing to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, clinical audit, quality improvement and service development.
• Maintaining continuing professional development and participating in appraisal, job planning and clinical governance.

This is a combined role that integrates the clinical and laboratory elements of the diagnosis of infection and its treatment. The role includes the provision of medical reporting and interpretation of results and advice on patient management.

• In collaboration with other colleagues, help plan the future provision of Infection Service through the collaborative arrangement with Airedale & Harrogate Trusts..
• Provide an advisory and clinical consultative service to clinical colleagues in the Trust, including regular ward reviews of complex infection inpatients, PUO, granulomatous diseases, fever in returning traveller.
• Contribute to all aspects of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Service, including the supervision of the processing of requests and reporting of results; the provision of a clinical service to inpatient areas, and regular liaison with key clinical personnel as appropriate; participation in the Consultant microbiologist on-call rota.
• Share responsibility with the other Consultants for monitoring performance in Quality Assurance programmes and, by contributing to the internal management process, ensure that appropriate action is taken in a timely fashion when this is necessary.
• Contribute to laboratory management including participation in EQA, policy /SOP preparation, quality improvement, involvement in business planning and ISO accreditation.
• Provide leadership around antimicrobial stewardship, alongside the Antimicrobial Pharmacist, with participation in the Trust Antimicrobial Prescribing Review Group (a sub-committee of the Drug and Therapeutics Committee). To lead on antimicrobial guidelines, introduction of carbapenem sparing agents and lab testing for these agents, engagement with other specialties to improve antimicrobial prescribing and reduce the use of reserve antibiotics.
• In conjunction with colleagues, participate in the Trust Infection Control Committee meetings, lab management meetings. Contribute towards the work of the infection prevention and control team, in liaison with the Director of Infection Prevention and Control and IPC Nurses, to ensure a safe environment is maintained for patients pertaining to infection control risks, and appropriate management is advised.
• Participate in policy formulation for the Trust as required. For example, input into infection prevention and control policies and protocols.
• Outpatient clinic work will include review of patients with suspected TB, non-tuberculous mycobacteria, pulmonary invasive fungal infection, tropical infection and chronic infection.
• Innovation in clinical service delivery is encouraged and we are trailblazing the use of MS teams ward rounds and MDT as part of our utilisation of remote working since the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote working is now an essential tool of our service delivery and is available to be used as needed based on the requirements and objectives of the department.
• With successful recruitment to our vacancies we hope to establish proactive MDT and in-reach into the following areas, however the list is not exhaustive: Vascular Surgery, Orthopaedics, respiratory, infectious endocarditis team.

The post holder will also provide cover for consultant colleagues leave in Infectious Diseases or Medical Microbiology in a fair and equitable fashion including providing cross cover for ICU in-reach and general ID clinic.

Appointees will need to satisfy the requirements of the Trust and Professional bodies for continuing medical education and development and undertake other duties as agreed with the Clinical Director.

Shortlisted candidates are encouraged to visit department prior to interivew.

Our People Charter outlines the behaviours we can expect from one another and what you can expect from Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust:

• We value people
• We are one team
• We care

We're keen to meet people who share these values and are passionate about delivering the highest quality of care to our patients.

Essential: - Evidence of completing an approved period of training in Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology

Essential: - Ability to perform the requirements of the post; - Excellent communication skills; - Excellent organisational skills; - Commitment to working cooperatively and collaboratively with other health professionals and organisations; - Ability to work effectively in multi-professional teams

Essential: - MBChB or equivalent; - MRCP or FRCS of equivalent to specialty (UK) or equivalent; - Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (UK) or equivalent; - CCT or within 6 months of AAC date; - On Specialist Register with GMC and continue to hold a licence to practice