Job summary
Title of Post:
6 mth locum with a view to converting to a substantive post
Consultant in Infectious Diseases (Adult or Paediatric) & Medical Microbiology/Virology (ID/MMV) or Medical Microbiology or Medical Virology
No. of Sessions (PAs): 10
The post holder will provide the infection support concentrating on the St Thomas' and Evelina hospital sites.
It is a requirement of your employment that you be prepared to work at any additional or different location owned or served by the Trust, either on an on-going or temporary basis according to the demands of the service.
Working closely with the Paediatric Infectious Diseases team the postholder will be the main microbiology liaison with Evelina Children Hospital. This will include PICU ward rounds and haematology/oncology/bone marrow transplant ward rounds and consults when the service commences in 2026.
The postholder will develop and lead a penicillin allergy de-labelling service with support from the allergy team which will include setting up an outpatient clinic with nursing and/or ID pharmacy support.
Provide cross-cover on the St Thomas' site for colleagues who are reducing their PA allocation as well as annual / study leave. This will involve covering the bacteraemia/endocarditis and ICU roles.
Main duties of the job
Whilst individual consultants will develop their own areas of specialist expertise over time, all will deliver:
Ward-based general infection consults and telephone advice on the diagnosis, management and prevention of infection in response to referrals and significant laboratory results.
Timetabled multi-disciplinary clinical meetings and ward rounds.
ID out-patient clinics in close conjunction with the sub-specialist service.
Support the Infection Sciences laboratory services alongside the other site microbiologists and virologists.
The post-holder will be expected to contribute to the induction and training of the StRs rotating to Microbiology/Infectious Diseases/Virology and to take an active part in postgraduate teaching.
Work closely with clinical teams, pharmacists and the IPC nursing team to develop local clinical guidelines, manage outbreaks, and deliver key performance objectives. This will include contributing to good antimicrobial stewardship (bacterial and fungal).
All consultants will have PA allocation for specific responsibilities e.g. antimicrobial stewardship, IPC, OPAT.
The post-holder will participate in the non-resident on-call rota which will be shared equally with the other consultants in the Microbiology section.
About us
The Directorate of Infection (DoI) comprises clinical, laboratory, infection prevention and control and surveillance services covering Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals, the Evelina children's hospital, Harefield and the Royal Brompton. A defining characteristic of the service model we have striven to develop is seamless integration of these distinct but complementary clinical disciplines in order to deliver the highest-quality patient care.
The DoI provides specialist clinical care across a wide range of tertiary specialities, including one of the largest Critical Care services in the country, that together with RBH hosts the two largest UK ECMO Centres. In addition, we are one of five units in the national network for High Consequence Infectious Diseases-airborne pathogens (HCID-a), we provide a commissioned multi-drug resistant tuberculosis service and work closely with one of largest Vascular Surgery services in Europe.
The recent merger with the RBH serves a growing and increasingly complex iatrogenically immunocompromised adult and paediatric patient cohort, across oncology and solid organ transplant (heart, lung, renal and pancreas).
As we are a large and popular ID post-graduate centre for dual training in both ID/GIM and ID/ Medical Microbiology-Virology (MMV), the post-holder will be expected to provide trainee clinical supervision on a daily basis and participate in teaching and training programmes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working closely with the Paediatric Infectious Diseases team the postholder will be the main microbiology liaison with Evelina Children Hospital. This will include PICU ward rounds and haematology/oncology/bone marrow transplant ward rounds and consults when the service commences in 2026.
The postholder will develop and lead a penicillin allergy de-labelling service with support from the allergy team which will include setting up an outpatient clinic with nursing and/or ID pharmacy support.
Provide cross-cover on the St Thomas site for colleagues who are reducing their PA allocation as well as annual / study leave. This will involve covering the bacteraemia/endocarditis and ICU roles.
Support the Infection Sciences laboratory services alongside the other site microbiologists and virologists. Laboratory duties will include result authorisation, contribution to the day-to-day running of the diagnostic service, troubleshooting of unexpected results, and active participation in laboratory management and development. Alongside existing consultant colleagues they will also support the transfer of work to the new large, multi-hospital offsite laboratory hub in autumn 2025. This includes transfer of microbiology workload from GP practices in Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham in late 2025.
The post-holder will be expected to contribute to the induction and training of the StRs rotating to Microbiology/Infectious Diseases/Virology and to take an active part in postgraduate teaching and training and participate in KCL Medical school undergraduate teaching in years 2 and 3
Work closely with clinical teams, pharmacists and the IPC nursing team to develop local clinical guidelines, manage outbreaks, and deliver key performance objectives (e.g. C. difficile, blood stream infections etc.) and staff education/training. This will include contributing to good antimicrobial stewardship (bacterial and fungal).
All consultants will have PA allocation for specific responsibilities e.g. antimicrobial stewardship, IPC, OPAT.
The post-holder will participate in the non-resident on-call rota which will be shared equally with the other consultants in the Microbiology section. Weekend authorisation is performed by the on-call Infection consultant, this can be done remotely and no weekend on-site presence is generally required. At present there is a separate on-call rota covering Guys & St. Thomas Hospitals and Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals, however this is under review and the post holder may be required to contribute to either rota.
Job Planning:
The post holders job plan is anticipated to contain 10 Programmed Activities (PA) per week, to be carried out primarily at the St Thomas / Evelina sites.
Below is anexample outline programme based on 10 PAs but the exact job plan will vary dependant on site of working and discussed with the Clinical Director and Service Leads prior to any start date, particularly in order to reflect specific responsibilities that are agreed). The job plan will also be negotiated between the Consultant and their Clinical Lead at least annually.
When the Childrens PTC has transferred (estimated Autumn 2026) there is an opportunity to (subject to the job-planning process) substitute activities to incorporate childrens cancer liaison work into the current job plan.
Type of work
PAs
DCC
Clinical work including ward consults and ward rounds
3
Lab clinical validation, actioning and communicating abnormal results
1.5
Multi-disciplinary meetings about direct patient care
1
Penicillin allergy de-labelling service (inducing outpatient clinic)
2
On-call activity 1:5 to 1:6 (non-resident)
1
SPA
Job Planning, appraisal, CPD, clinical governance, audit, mandatory training
1
Teaching/StR supervision, being an appraiser, etc, defined in job planning according to service needs
0.5
Total
10
The exact amount of Supporting Professional Activity (SPA) allocation can be increased during the job planning process, depending on post-holders interests.
Proposed timetable:
Final agreement on timetabled commitments will be agreed on taking up the post and then reviewed at least annually as part of the job planning process. As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends or asked to work of any of the trust sites.
An example of the proposed timetable for the postholder:
Description of work
Start-Finish
Frequency
Cat.
Mon
Handover meeting
Ward Rounds/Consults
Diagnostic work
0900-1000
1000-1300
1300-1700
1x1w
1x1w
1x1w
DCC
DCC
DCC
Tues
Academic Seminar
Diagnostic work
MDTs/Clinical work / PICU ward round
0900-1000
1000-1300
1300-1600
1x1w
1x1w
1x1w
SPA
DCC
DCC
Wed
Ward Rounds/Consults
CPD
0900-1300
1300-1600
1x1w
1x1w
DCC
SPA
Thur
MDT/clinic
Clinical Cases meeting
Laboratory authorisation
0900-1300
1300-1400
1400-1700
1x1w
1x1w
1x1w
DCC
DCC
SPA
Fri
Other agreed SPA activity
Ward Rounds/Consults
Ward Rounds/Consults
0900-1000
1000-1300
1400-1600
1x1w
1x1w
1x1w
SPA
DCC
DCC
On Call Rota:
The appointee will be required to participate in a 1 in 5 to 1 in 6 Microbiology on-call rota dependant on site of work GSTT or RBHH (Category A) in order to authorise and communicate significant laboratory results, and provide specialist clinical advice.
Currently, separate rotas run according to site (a combined Guys and St Thomas Hopsitals rota and a combined Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals rota), although it is possible that these rotas merge at some point in the future. Both rotas are supported by a Consultant Virologist on call.
Category A: this applies where the consultant may be able respond by giving telephone advice and/or by returning to work later but the complexity of work or urgency of work is such that they could on rare occasions be required to return to site.
Frequency of Rota Commitment
Value of supplement as a percentage of full-time basic salary
Category A
Category B
High Frequency:
1 in 1 to 1 in 4
8.0%
3.0%
Medium Frequency:
1 in 5 to 1 in 8
5.0%
2.0%
Low Frequency:
1 in 9 or less frequent
3.0%
1.0%
Induction:
There will be a personalised induction programme both for the Microbiology and clinical Infectious Diseases service. The programme will be tailored to the needs of the successful candidate.
Accommodation and equipment:
The Consultant Doctor will haveaccess to a computer and desk space and the support of departmental administration and clerical staff. The Guy's, King's and St. Thomas' Medical School library is on the St. Thomas' and Guy's sites. Electronic access to the KCL e-journals will be available. There are libraries/learning zones at the Brompton and Harefield sites.
Continuing professional development (CPD) and Appraisal:
The post holder will be expected to participate in CPD. Consultants can apply for professional and study leave over a three-year period up to 30 days (on average 10 days per year). Statutory and Mandatory training must be taken within the leave allocation. Consultants have access through the Post-graduate Centre to apply for funds to support CPD activities. All medical staff are required to undertake annual appraisal and revalidation. Appraisal documentation for GMC Specialist Revalidation will be submitted through the SARD system.
Mentoring:
There is an active mentoring and coaching scheme available to all consultants. New consultants are encouraged to participate in the New Consultants Forum with organised seminars supporting professional development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working closely with the Paediatric Infectious Diseases team the postholder will be the main microbiology liaison with Evelina Children Hospital. This will include PICU ward rounds and haematology/oncology/bone marrow transplant ward rounds and consults when the service commences in 2026.
The postholder will develop and lead a penicillin allergy de-labelling service with support from the allergy team which will include setting up an outpatient clinic with nursing and/or ID pharmacy support.
Provide cross-cover on the St Thomas site for colleagues who are reducing their PA allocation as well as annual / study leave. This will involve covering the bacteraemia/endocarditis and ICU roles.
Support the Infection Sciences laboratory services alongside the other site microbiologists and virologists. Laboratory duties will include result authorisation, contribution to the day-to-day running of the diagnostic service, troubleshooting of unexpected results, and active participation in laboratory management and development. Alongside existing consultant colleagues they will also support the transfer of work to the new large, multi-hospital offsite laboratory hub in autumn 2025. This includes transfer of microbiology workload from GP practices in Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham in late 2025.
The post-holder will be expected to contribute to the induction and training of the StRs rotating to Microbiology/Infectious Diseases/Virology and to take an active part in postgraduate teaching and training and participate in KCL Medical school undergraduate teaching in years 2 and 3
Work closely with clinical teams, pharmacists and the IPC nursing team to develop local clinical guidelines, manage outbreaks, and deliver key performance objectives (e.g. C. difficile, blood stream infections etc.) and staff education/training. This will include contributing to good antimicrobial stewardship (bacterial and fungal).
All consultants will have PA allocation for specific responsibilities e.g. antimicrobial stewardship, IPC, OPAT.
The post-holder will participate in the non-resident on-call rota which will be shared equally with the other consultants in the Microbiology section. Weekend authorisation is performed by the on-call Infection consultant, this can be done remotely and no weekend on-site presence is generally required. At present there is a separate on-call rota covering Guys & St. Thomas Hospitals and Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals, however this is under review and the post holder may be required to contribute to either rota.
Job Planning:
The post holders job plan is anticipated to contain 10 Programmed Activities (PA) per week, to be carried out primarily at the St Thomas / Evelina sites.
Below is anexample outline programme based on 10 PAs but the exact job plan will vary dependant on site of working and discussed with the Clinical Director and Service Leads prior to any start date, particularly in order to reflect specific responsibilities that are agreed). The job plan will also be negotiated between the Consultant and their Clinical Lead at least annually.
When the Childrens PTC has transferred (estimated Autumn 2026) there is an opportunity to (subject to the job-planning process) substitute activities to incorporate childrens cancer liaison work into the current job plan.
Type of work
PAs
DCC
Clinical work including ward consults and ward rounds
3
Lab clinical validation, actioning and communicating abnormal results
1.5
Multi-disciplinary meetings about direct patient care
1
Penicillin allergy de-labelling service (inducing outpatient clinic)
2
On-call activity 1:5 to 1:6 (non-resident)
1
SPA
Job Planning, appraisal, CPD, clinical governance, audit, mandatory training
1
Teaching/StR supervision, being an appraiser, etc, defined in job planning according to service needs
0.5
Total
10
The exact amount of Supporting Professional Activity (SPA) allocation can be increased during the job planning process, depending on post-holders interests.
Proposed timetable:
Final agreement on timetabled commitments will be agreed on taking up the post and then reviewed at least annually as part of the job planning process. As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends or asked to work of any of the trust sites.
An example of the proposed timetable for the postholder:
Description of work
Start-Finish
Frequency
Cat.
Mon
Handover meeting
Ward Rounds/Consults
Diagnostic work
0900-1000
1000-1300
1300-1700
1x1w
1x1w
1x1w
DCC
DCC
DCC
Tues
Academic Seminar
Diagnostic work
MDTs/Clinical work / PICU ward round
0900-1000
1000-1300
1300-1600
1x1w
1x1w
1x1w
SPA
DCC
DCC
Wed
Ward Rounds/Consults
CPD
0900-1300
1300-1600
1x1w
1x1w
DCC
SPA
Thur
MDT/clinic
Clinical Cases meeting
Laboratory authorisation
0900-1300
1300-1400
1400-1700
1x1w
1x1w
1x1w
DCC
DCC
SPA
Fri
Other agreed SPA activity
Ward Rounds/Consults
Ward Rounds/Consults
0900-1000
1000-1300
1400-1600
1x1w
1x1w
1x1w
SPA
DCC
DCC
On Call Rota:
The appointee will be required to participate in a 1 in 5 to 1 in 6 Microbiology on-call rota dependant on site of work GSTT or RBHH (Category A) in order to authorise and communicate significant laboratory results, and provide specialist clinical advice.
Currently, separate rotas run according to site (a combined Guys and St Thomas Hopsitals rota and a combined Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals rota), although it is possible that these rotas merge at some point in the future. Both rotas are supported by a Consultant Virologist on call.
Category A: this applies where the consultant may be able respond by giving telephone advice and/or by returning to work later but the complexity of work or urgency of work is such that they could on rare occasions be required to return to site.
Frequency of Rota Commitment
Value of supplement as a percentage of full-time basic salary
Category A
Category B
High Frequency:
1 in 1 to 1 in 4
8.0%
3.0%
Medium Frequency:
1 in 5 to 1 in 8
5.0%
2.0%
Low Frequency:
1 in 9 or less frequent
3.0%
1.0%
Induction:
There will be a personalised induction programme both for the Microbiology and clinical Infectious Diseases service. The programme will be tailored to the needs of the successful candidate.
Accommodation and equipment:
The Consultant Doctor will haveaccess to a computer and desk space and the support of departmental administration and clerical staff. The Guy's, King's and St. Thomas' Medical School library is on the St. Thomas' and Guy's sites. Electronic access to the KCL e-journals will be available. There are libraries/learning zones at the Brompton and Harefield sites.
Continuing professional development (CPD) and Appraisal:
The post holder will be expected to participate in CPD. Consultants can apply for professional and study leave over a three-year period up to 30 days (on average 10 days per year). Statutory and Mandatory training must be taken within the leave allocation. Consultants have access through the Post-graduate Centre to apply for funds to support CPD activities. All medical staff are required to undertake annual appraisal and revalidation. Appraisal documentation for GMC Specialist Revalidation will be submitted through the SARD system.
Mentoring:
There is an active mentoring and coaching scheme available to all consultants. New consultants are encouraged to participate in the New Consultants Forum with organised seminars supporting professional development.
Person Specification
Professional Qualifications
Essential
- Full and Specialist GMC Registration and current licence to practise.
- 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, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT.
- On GMC Specialist Register for Microbiology OR Microbiology and Infectious Diseases OR Virology
Desirable
- MD or PhD
- MRCP or equivalent
- FRCPath or equivalent
Clinical Experience
Essential
- Comprehensive experience across the range of adult infectious diseases.
- Experience in writing clinical infection and/or laboratory guidelines.
- Working knowledge in Infection Prevention and Control in the acute care setting e.g. management of outbreaks and antimicrobial stewardship.
Desirable
- Leading or managing a diagnostic laboratory.
- Introduction of new laboratory tests into the diagnostic repertoire.
Clinical Skills
Essential
- Operating an Infectious Diseases clinical consult service and contributing to multidisciplinary clinical meetings.
Audit Management & IT
Essential
- A track record demonstrating clinical governance, audit, service development and management and IT skills.
- Evidence of leading service development and participation in quality improvement projects for clinical and/or laboratory services.
Research. Teaching skill & experience
Essential
- Experience of teaching and training undergraduates, postgraduates and junior medical staff.
Leadership / Management skills
Essential
- Accountability; Ability to take responsibility, lead, make decisions and exert appropriate authority.
- Staff Management; Experience of performance management, developing and motivating staff. Ability to lead staff, balance competing demands on the diagnostic service, striving to develop an efficient and high-quality laboratory service.
Desirable
- Experience in leading a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience of business case and service development.
Person Specification
Professional Qualifications
Essential
- Full and Specialist GMC Registration and current licence to practise.
- 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, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT.
- On GMC Specialist Register for Microbiology OR Microbiology and Infectious Diseases OR Virology
Desirable
- MD or PhD
- MRCP or equivalent
- FRCPath or equivalent
Clinical Experience
Essential
- Comprehensive experience across the range of adult infectious diseases.
- Experience in writing clinical infection and/or laboratory guidelines.
- Working knowledge in Infection Prevention and Control in the acute care setting e.g. management of outbreaks and antimicrobial stewardship.
Desirable
- Leading or managing a diagnostic laboratory.
- Introduction of new laboratory tests into the diagnostic repertoire.
Clinical Skills
Essential
- Operating an Infectious Diseases clinical consult service and contributing to multidisciplinary clinical meetings.
Audit Management & IT
Essential
- A track record demonstrating clinical governance, audit, service development and management and IT skills.
- Evidence of leading service development and participation in quality improvement projects for clinical and/or laboratory services.
Research. Teaching skill & experience
Essential
- Experience of teaching and training undergraduates, postgraduates and junior medical staff.
Leadership / Management skills
Essential
- Accountability; Ability to take responsibility, lead, make decisions and exert appropriate authority.
- Staff Management; Experience of performance management, developing and motivating staff. Ability to lead staff, balance competing demands on the diagnostic service, striving to develop an efficient and high-quality laboratory service.
Desirable
- Experience in leading a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience of business case and service development.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
