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Job summary

Main area
Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
Grade
Consultant
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 10 sessions per week
Job ref
028-MD010-0625
Employer
Public Health Wales NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Singleton Hospital
Town
Swansea
Salary
£106,000 - £154,760 per annum, +4% uplift (confirmed by Welsh Government, pending).
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
22/07/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Public Health Wales NHS Trust logo

Consultant in Microbiology (and / or in Infectious Disease)

Consultant

 

Welcome to Public Health Wales, the national public health organisation for Wales

Our vision is Working to achieve a healthier future for Wales

To find out more visit Public Health Wales and watch this video about our Strategic Plan

Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram

Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh, any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English. To support our all Wales service, we particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

 


Please be advised that there is a temporary top up for Bands 2 and 3 to reflect the incorporation of the top up to the living wage of £12.60 per hour - £24,638 per annum.

This temporary top up will be in place until the annual pay uplift for 2025/26 is confirmed.

 

Job overview

Recognising the importance of the prevention and management of infection, a devolved Welsh Government has prioritised significant investment for the development of our National and local Infection services. Building on our strengths, and working closely with colleagues in health protection and wider partners, we are transforming our services to deliver a world-class service for the prevention, management and control of infection.

To complement our existing teams, which include international leaders in infection diagnosis and management, we are seeking new colleagues to help deliver the best solutions and outcomes for the people of Wales, developing new workforce and technological models to meet changing population need.

Embracing new molecular and genomic technology, our services are resourced to provide local, national and UK wide clinical and diagnostic services, with opportunities for partnership working and research within a national NHS model which has collaboration and prevention at its core.

The infectious disease / microbiology team in Swansea have a close working relationship with Swansea university medical school and institute of life sciences. The following posts are available - Joint infectious disease / microbiology consultant, Consultant in microbiology. Applications are encouraged from candidates interested in any of the above posts.  You will be joining a team of 9 Consultants, 10 SPRs and 2 Physician Associates.

Main duties of the job

Strategic and professional leadership and communication:

The appointee will ensure a culture of maintenance and continuous improvement of quality. In this role, the appointee will:

·      Promote multi-professional team working within the department

·      Ensure appropriate communication and team working with other services in the Public Health Wales Trust and with services in the other Trusts, Health Boards, and health communities served by Microbiology Swansea.

·      Contribute to departmental meetings

·      Contribute to service developments and improvements

·      Contribute to developing patient-focused pathways

·      Contribute to clinical audit, review, and planning of services

·      Develop business cases as appropriate

·      Contribute to the development of the service in line with the Public Health Wales Trust Infection Service network objectives and the national and local Pathology Modernisation agenda

·      Consult all sections of the service about changes, including the procurement of equipment

·      Contribute to the developing and strengthening of working relationships with primary/community care providers and commissioners

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Working for our organisation

Public Health Wales is the National Public Health Institute in Wales. Our vision is 'Working to achieve a healthier future for Wales'. We play a pivotal role in driving improvements in population health and well-being, reducing health inequalities, improving healthcare outcomes, protecting the public and supporting the development of health in all policies across Wales.

Never more has public health been so important as we come through the Coronavirus pandemic, face the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and tackle and prevent the harmful effects of climate change. We are an organisation that places ourselves at the heart of supporting people, communities, partners, and the Welsh Government in addressing these major challenges and providing solutions for action.

Our organisation is guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion.  We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and from those wishing to work part time or on a job share basis.

To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/careers/

For guidance on the application process, please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Operational Management

In conjunction with the Swansea Infection Service management team the appointee will be responsible for:

·      Ensuring that general and clinical risks are assessed annually, and that controls assurance and appropriate standards are implemented

·      Ensuring that clinical governance objectives are agreed with the Clinical Lead for Swansea Laboratory and are achieved/implemented along with other clinical colleagues, including:

·      achievement of standards set by relevant accreditation bodies (e.g., Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UKAS) (UK) Ltd)

·      regular monitoring of performance in internal and external quality assurance schemes, with investigation and remedial action as necessary

·      compliance with National Service Frameworks, clinical standards, and guidelines of relevant professional bodies

·      coordinating the reporting, investigation, and follow up of adverse events within the service as described by Trust/hospital policies and national schemes

·      demonstrable improvements as a result, of clinical audit, quality improvement projects, patient satisfaction surveys or complaints

·      ensuring that the Trust/hospital policies and procedures are available to staff and are implemented

·      a system for staff to learn the lessons from incidents, litigation, and complaints

Provision of Service

Provide care according to the Terms and Conditions of Service - Consultant Contract Wales

Undertake duties relating to the provision of the Swansea Infection Service and for other institutions served by the Public Health Wales Trust as directed by the Clinical Lead for the Swansea Microbiology Laboratory. Depending on experience, these will include either work related to the infectious disease service (ward rounds, bedside patient reviews, clinics) and/ or microbiology service (advice regarding appropriate specimens, involvement in specimen analysis, validation, and interpretation of results, and participating in the infection management services to clinical teams across Swansea Bay University Health Board, and to local General Practices). The provision of the service will be shared with the other senior clinical staff in the Department.

Involvement, as appropriate to experience, in preparation of Microbiology department policy, SOP’s, care pathways etc.

Managerial duties as agreed with the Clinical Lead for the Swansea Microbiology Laboratory.

As part of infection management service, to support the provision of infection control functions and services in collaboration with Consultant Microbiologist colleagues and with the Health Board Director for Hospital Infection Control

Contribute to the teaching and training function of the Department, including:

    • Professional supervision of junior medical staff in the Department. (Swansea Microbiology is an accredited laboratory for training Microbiology specialist registrars.)
    • Undergraduate teaching, assessments, and examinations in Swansea University School of Medicine
    • Contribute to the teaching and training of other health care workers and students as appropriate

Provision, with consultant and other colleagues, (and, when necessary, with the involvement of Welsh specialist units and Public Health England), of microbiological and epidemiological support for Consultants in Communicable Disease Control, Environmental Health Officers, Welsh Assembly Government, and clinical staff in primary and secondary care settings.

Contribution to the activities and development of PHW.

Together with other officers, clinical and non-clinical, of PHW, and with central reference and epidemiological facilities, collaboration in the reporting and investigation of infections, control of outbreaks, assessment of vaccines, development of laboratory methods, involvement in surveys, etc.

Provision for cover for consultant colleagues’ periods of leave, and participation in the microbiology on-call rota (compensated in line with the Consultant contract Wales)

Research activities in line with the priorities of PHW and subject to the availability of funding and resources.

Participation in a recognised scheme of Continuing Professional Development. (Study leave in line with the Welsh Consultant Contract with appropriate financial support will be available for agreed purposes within the context of PHW policy)

Participation in the scheme for regular appraisal as agreed between Public Health Wales and Swansea Bay University Health Board.

Where it is agreed between the parties, work on behalf of Public Health Wales or the Health Board/Health Authority such as domiciliary consultations, or services provided for other agencies e.g., the prison service

Such additional duties appropriate to the post and to the experience of the appointee as may be required from time to time either by the Laboratory Director or Director, Health Protection after appropriate consultation.

There is currently interest in developing the outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) service in Swansea.  Applications from individuals with the necessary experience and skills to work on this aspect of the service are encouraged.

Key professional relationships

The successful candidate will be managerially accountable to:

The Public Health Wales Clinical Lead for Swansea Microbiology.

They will be expected to work in liaison also with:

Other senior Public Health Wales Trust staff throughout Wales including Consultant Microbiologists and Virologists, Clinical Scientists, BMS staff, CCDC’s and CDSC Wales

Members of the Pathology Directorate in Swansea Bay University Health Board

Consultant clinicians and their junior staff at Swansea Bay University Health Board, and general practitioners and hospital clinicians throughout Wales who use the diagnostic and clinical advice services provided by Microbiology Swansea

The Chief Executive and other senior staff of Swansea Bay University Health Board and other Health Boards and Trusts serviced by Public Health Wales

The Public Health Wales Health Protection Team (CCDC’s and Public Health Nurses).

The Infection Control Teams of Trusts throughout Wales as requested by the relevant Infection Control Doctors

Consultant microbiologists throughout Wales in non-Public Health Wales laboratories

Members of staff of Swansea University, particularly in the department of medical microbiology

The Directors of Public Health throughout Wales,

Senior staff of Public Health England

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.

 

Person specification

EDUCATIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL ATTAINMENTS

Essential criteria
  • Full and specialist registration (and with a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC) (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview)
  • Applicants that are UK trained, must 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, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
  • CCT/ equivalence (ideally in Microbiology and/or Infectious Diseases)
  • FRCPath or an equivalent qualification
Desirable criteria
  • MRCP or an equivalent qualification

SPECIAL APTITUDES AND SKILLS

Essential criteria
  • Commitment to team working
  • Commitment to career development
  • Self-motivated, proactive, innovative
  • Able to prioritise work and cope with change and uncertainty
  • Oral and written communication skills
Desirable criteria
  • Strategic thinker
  • Interest and Experience in OPAT
  • Staff Management

INTERESTS

Essential criteria
  • Experience in medical undergraduate and postgraduate teaching

DISPOSITION

Essential criteria
  • Able to adapt to situations and handle people of all capabilities and attitudes
  • Effective interpersonal and influencing skills

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Essential criteria
  • Must be prepared to reside within reasonable travelling distance of the laboratory, and must be willing to travel to and work at sites necessitated by the role
Desirable criteria
  • Welsh speaking

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Final Gold LevelDisability confident leaderStop Smoking Wales is the NHS Smoking Cessation Service in WalesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Final Gold Level WelshRefugee Employment NetworkStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingArmed Forces CovenantStonewall Top 100 Employers in 2023Employer pledge demonstrating a commitment to change how we think and act about mental healthCore principlesPrentisiaethau Apprenticeships

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.

Welsh language skills are desirable

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Brendan Healy
Job title
Clinical Lead, Microbiology Swansea
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01792285053
Additional information

PA to Dr Brendan Healy can be reached via e-mail:

[email protected]

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