Job summary
- Main area
- Microbiology
- Grade
- NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 10 sessions per week (1 in 4 on-call rota)
- Job ref
- 193-CON262NCG
- Employer
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Berkshire Hospital
- Town
- Reading
- Salary
- £113,565 - £150,569 with 8% on-call availability supplement
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 16/11/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Consultant in Infection Medicine
NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is “Working together to provide outstanding care for our community.”
Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements. The Trust’s overall rating has also improved to ‘good’.
We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions
We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate
We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live
We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, we value candidates who bring their unique personalities, skills, and experiences to the Trust. When completing your application, we encourage you to highlight your individual achievements and strengths, showing us how they align with the requirements outlined in the job description and person specification. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools during the process, please be mindful that AI-generated responses can often lack the personal detail and relevance needed to demonstrate your suitability for the role. AI generated content is discouraged by the Trust and may diminish the candidates chances of success.
Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don’t you come and join us. We offer a range of learning and development for all employees may you be clinical or non-clinical.
Please note: all vacancies automatically close when 50 applications have been received.
Job overview
This is a substantive full-time post for a Consultant in Infection Medicine as one whole-time consultant or as two less-than-full-time appointments within the newly established Department of Infection Medicine at RBFT. The post carries an 8% on-call availability supplement.
We actively support remote working, and job share and flexible working. The post holder will be provided with an office space and there will be secretarial support. We support flexible working and trust laptop is issued.
Clinical lead and colleagues will provide full support to the new appointee and there will be access to mentoring and clinical leadership development programmes
We are actively seeking candidates holding, or within 6 months of completing, a dual CCT in ID/MM. The post is designed to make full use of the breadth of training that dual CCT holders bring, with a job plan centred on direct patient care, AMS, specialist ID clinics, and complex MDT leadership.
Please note the simulation date will be 01/12/2026 and the interview date will be 17/12/26
Main duties of the job
Working for our organisation
Diversity makes us interesting… Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.
Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.
We support flexible working wherever possible, with requests considered on an individual basis taking into account service requirements, operational needs and the requirements of the role.
Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.
If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Direct Clinical Care (DCC): Ward Rounds & MDTs
Provide a comprehensive clinical ID and AMS service, including direct patient care on the wards, outpatient clinics, and remotely enabled telemedicine via the VHS and VACU.
Lead and participate in AMS Infection Rounds (AIR) across ICU, AMU, CoE, General Surgery, and Urology, promoting evidence-based antimicrobial prescribing.
Manage the ID electronic consult service (e-referrals), providing timely, high-quality advice on complex infections to clinical teams across the Trust.
Lead and co-lead specialist MDTs such as CBJI, cUTI, etc., working in close collaboration with colleagues across surgical and medical specialties. Set up regional Bone infection MDT
Participate & develop specialist outpatient ID clinics (Travel Medicine, Viral Hepatitis, TB, and others) in line with the post holder's areas of expertise and departmental need.
Deliver the COpAT (including OPAT) programme through the VACU, supporting safe and cost-effective delivery of intravenous antibiotics in an ambulatory/virtual care setting.
Laboratory Supervision and Direction:
Provide clinical input to the BSPS-managed Microbiology Laboratory offering expert clinical direction on complex microbiological queries, result interpretation. Strategic steer is provided by Dr George Jacob to BSPS as the Berkshire speciality hub lead by a clearly defined contract.
Infection Prevention & Control
Participate in day-to-day IPC activities, supporting the IPC Team in managing HCAIs, outbreak investigations, and infection surveillance across the Trust.
Provide IPC clinical advice when on call and contribute to Trust-wide IPC policies and standard operating procedures.
Leadership, Governance, and Development
Contribute to the strategic development and operational governance of the Department of Infection Medicine, including participation in departmental meetings, business planning, and service improvement initiatives.
Collaborate with UKHSA, the Thames Valley Health Protection Unit, and regional/national reference facilities in the reporting, investigation, and management of notifiable infections and outbreaks.
Participate in clinical audit, quality improvement, and clinical governance activities, and support the Trust's GMC revalidation and consultant appraisal processes.
Contribute to the education and supervision of resident doctors, specialist trainees, medical students, and non-medical staff, including participation in the Trust's structured induction and leadership development programme.
Act as an educational supervisor or clinical supervisor for trainees as appropriate, including those on the Oxford rotation.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
The Trust supports ongoing professional and educational development. The OUH–RBH partnership provides opportunities to engage in cross-site teaching, develop educational roles, and contribute to a collaborative, high-quality training environment.
Participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills in line with GMC Good Medical Practice.
Appraisal and Revalidation – The post holder will have an appraiser allocated by the trust and undergo yearly appraisals. The responsible officer will be the Chief Medical Officer
Research
Pursue research activities in line with the post holder's interests, subject to available funding and resources, and contribute to the Trust's academic partnership
Person specification
Professional Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Full and specialist registration (and a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC)
- MRCP (UK) or evidence of equivalent qualification
- CCTs in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases or equivalent qualifications (e.g. Portfolio pathway) which enable specialist registration OR eligibility for these CCTs and specialist registration within six months of interview
Desirable criteria
- A relevant higher qualification would be desirable
Clinical Experience & Skills
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable experience in clinical infectious diseases, antimicrobial stewardship, and direct patient care.
- Ability to work independently at consultant level without direct supervision.
- Experience of inpatient ID consult services and/or outpatient ID clinics.
Desirable criteria
- Experience in OPAT/ COpAT
- Experience in complex MDT leadership
Clinical Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Broad clinical knowledge across infectious diseases, clinical microbiology, and IPC.
- Evidence-based approach to infection management and antimicrobial prescribing.
- Understanding of NHS AMS frameworks and UKHSA guidance.
Desirable criteria
- Expertise in a subspeciality area
- Experience in the rationalisation and control of antimicrobial prescribing
Leadership, Management & IT
Essential criteria
- Ability to work within clinical governance frameworks.
- Capacity to manage workload and prioritise effectively.
- Competent in use of electronic clinical systems, e-referral platforms, and hospital databases.
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of clinical leadership, service development, or departmental management roles.
Teaching & Research
Essential criteria
- Experience of teaching and supervising medical and non-medical staff. Ability to act as clinical and/or educational supervisor for trainees.
Desirable criteria
- Track record of peer-reviewed publications. Educational qualification or GMC-recognised educational supervisor status.
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
- Excellent written and spoken English. Strong interpersonal and communica-tion skills. Ability to work collaboratively within an MDT and across care groups. Commitment to patient-centred care and continuous improvement.
Desirable criteria
- Enthusiasm for contributing to the development of a new clinical department.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dr Shabnam Iyer
- Job title
- Consultant microbiologist and Clinical Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07950952328
- Additional information
Recruitment Advisor:
Champa Bhojappa, 0118 322 5381, [email protected]
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