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University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Consultant Clinical Immunologist

The closing date is 17 April 2026

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Job summary

This post for a Consultant Clinical Immunologist to support the clinical immunology service. This is provided at Derriford Hospital for patients from the whole of Devon and Cornwall (population approx. 2 million) with primary immunodeficiency (adults and children) and allergy (adults). The service is based on the Eden Unit, a dedicated outpatient and day case area for immunodeficiency, allergy, and non-malignant haematology. The department receives approx. 2000 referrals for new patients.

Main duties of the job

The appointee would be expected to work with the existing clinical team to provide and develop a clinical service for the investigation and management of patients with disorders of immunity, principally primary and secondary immunodeficiency, and allergy, and, as necessary, of patients with other clinical conditions in which disordered immune function is thought to play a role. The service will be conducted by regular outpatient clinics, day case attendance, ward reviews and telephone and written consultations. In the Allergy service the appointee will be required to manage new and follow up patients and to supervise investigations including food and drug challenges and desensitisation therapy.

The appointee will be required to work with the existing consultant and specialist nurses and be expected to travel to outreach primary immune deficiency clinics in peripheral hospitals in the peninsula subject to job planning agreements

The appointee will be expected to lead and maintain direction of the immunology diagnostic laboratory to provide a cost-effective service, which ensures the high standard and quality of work, and to undertake appropriate development of its services, taking into account new developments in immunology and its applications in medicine. The appointee will contribute to the Peninsula Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service working with the immunology laboratory lead consultant.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

17 March 2026

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£109,725 to £145,478 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

216-G1-IMM7834337

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Role Requirements

The successful candidate must hold full and specialist registration (and a licence to practice) with the General Medical Council (GMC) (or eligible for registration within six months of interview). The appointee must have completed the General Medical Council (GMC) approved Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) curriculum in Immunology or demonstrate (to GMC or an Appointments Advisory Committee) evidence of equivalence in knowledge, training and experience of fundamental Immunology and its applications, care of patients with immunological disorders and specialist diagnostic laboratory practice. The appointee must hold the FRCPath (Immunology) and MRCP (UK) or show evidence of equivalent training and experience. Applicants must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or CESR in immunology or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview.

Managerial and Leadership

The appointee will be actively involved in the training of specialist registrars, clinical scientists and biomedical scientists and will be expected to participate in undergraduate and postgraduate educational activities. The appointee will be expected to contribute to the internal audit programme and participate in all appropriate external quality assessment schemes.

Duration

This is a permanent substantive post.

Managerial/Organisational Relationships

Due to the combination of clinical and laboratory work, the Immunology and Allergy Department sits in 2 Directorates, both under the Clinical Sciences, Cancer, and Diagnostics Division.

The Clinical Immunology and Allergy Service is in the Haematology and Immunology Service Line, within the Blood, Inflammation, and Cancer Directorate. The Directorate Manager is Helen Churchward.

The Diagnostic Immunology Lab sits within the Blood Sciences Service line within the Pathology Directorate. The Directorate Manager is Dan Stevens.

Key Working Relationships

There are four Consultant Immunologists;

Professor Claire Bethune (Service line co-lead),

Dr Andrew Whyte,

Associate Professor Lucy Leeman (Service line co-lead and Clinical Director Pathology Directorate),

Dr Georgina Hunt (Immunology lab lead).

The senior nursing team consists of a part time immunology nurse consultant Sister Christine Symons and two band 7 senior specialist nurses (one for immunodeficiency and one for allergy).

In addition, there is;

1 Band 7 Research Nurse,

5 Band 5 Nurses,

3 Immunology Specialist Registrars,

1 Associate Specialist in Allergy

2 allergy Speciality Doctors,

1 Immunology & Allergy Specialist Psychologist.

1 Allergy specialist dietician

There is also an admin team with a Clinical Admin Manager, SRIAP Data Performance Manager, SRIAP Coordinator, 2 Speciality Coordinators, 1 Medical Secretary, and 3 Ward Administrators.

The Diagnostic Immunology lab is supported by;

1x Band 8 Senior manager (shared)

1x Band 8 Principal Clinical Scientist lead

2x Band 7 Clinical Scientist

A range of BMS and Technical Staff

Budget Holder Responsibilities

Budget Holder responsibilities are currently held by one of the other Consultants and this is a responsibility which may rotate amongst the Consultants in the future.

Undergraduate Teaching

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is one of the NHS partners of the University of Plymouth Peninsula Medical School. The Directorate has a commitment to a significant part of the clinical undergraduate teaching programme. The post holder will be expected to participate in undergraduate teaching activities. Additional job planned sessions for protected teaching time would be agreed by mutual agreement with the Service Line Director. Such arrangements will be agreed within the Trusts' annual job planning and medical staff appraisal process.

Proposed Job Plan

Details of the proposed job plan should be set out below.

Whilst the example job plan given is for a 10PA post, those looking to work flexibly or LTFT are welcome to apply and the SPA allocation will remain the same as those looking to work 10PAs ie 1.5 generic SPA with up to another 1 PA for non-generic SPA as agreed with the service line director according to service line needs and the interests of the applicant. Applicants are encouraged to discuss this with service lead prior to application.

If the successful candidate wishes to work flexibly and this is agreed, the job plan will contain a minimum of 1.5 generic SPAs as long as the total PA allocation remains equal to or above 5 PAs. Additional SPA time can be added depending on availability, the interests of the candidate and needs of the department or Trust.

Proposed timetable (Job plans will be reviewed after 6 months of starting)

Type (DCC/SPA)

PA

Monday

AM

Outpatient clinic (Immunodeficiency)

DCC

1

PM

Immunodeficiency MDT

Clinical Admin/day case/consults

DCC

DCC

O.5

0.5

Tuesday

AM

Medical Student Teaching

SPA

0.5

PM

Triage/advice and guidance

Generic SPA

Laboratory

DCC

SPA

DCC

0.5

0.5

1

Wednesday

AM

Clinical Admin / Day Case / Consults

DCC

1

PM

Generic SPA

SPA

1

Thursday

AM

Outpatient Clinic (Allergy)

DCC

1

PM

Allergy MDT

DCC

0.5

Friday

AM

Clinical Admin / Day Case / Consults

DCC

1

PM

Outpatient Clinic (Allergy)

DCC

1

Additional

Total DCC

8

Total SPA

1.5 Generic; 0.5 Medical School Teaching

Total PAs

10

ON CALL

There is a Consultant On-Call Rota during normal working hours (Mon-Fri, 0900-1700), supported by the Immunology Resident Drs

Job description

Job responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Role Requirements

The successful candidate must hold full and specialist registration (and a licence to practice) with the General Medical Council (GMC) (or eligible for registration within six months of interview). The appointee must have completed the General Medical Council (GMC) approved Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) curriculum in Immunology or demonstrate (to GMC or an Appointments Advisory Committee) evidence of equivalence in knowledge, training and experience of fundamental Immunology and its applications, care of patients with immunological disorders and specialist diagnostic laboratory practice. The appointee must hold the FRCPath (Immunology) and MRCP (UK) or show evidence of equivalent training and experience. Applicants must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or CESR in immunology or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview.

Managerial and Leadership

The appointee will be actively involved in the training of specialist registrars, clinical scientists and biomedical scientists and will be expected to participate in undergraduate and postgraduate educational activities. The appointee will be expected to contribute to the internal audit programme and participate in all appropriate external quality assessment schemes.

Duration

This is a permanent substantive post.

Managerial/Organisational Relationships

Due to the combination of clinical and laboratory work, the Immunology and Allergy Department sits in 2 Directorates, both under the Clinical Sciences, Cancer, and Diagnostics Division.

The Clinical Immunology and Allergy Service is in the Haematology and Immunology Service Line, within the Blood, Inflammation, and Cancer Directorate. The Directorate Manager is Helen Churchward.

The Diagnostic Immunology Lab sits within the Blood Sciences Service line within the Pathology Directorate. The Directorate Manager is Dan Stevens.

Key Working Relationships

There are four Consultant Immunologists;

Professor Claire Bethune (Service line co-lead),

Dr Andrew Whyte,

Associate Professor Lucy Leeman (Service line co-lead and Clinical Director Pathology Directorate),

Dr Georgina Hunt (Immunology lab lead).

The senior nursing team consists of a part time immunology nurse consultant Sister Christine Symons and two band 7 senior specialist nurses (one for immunodeficiency and one for allergy).

In addition, there is;

1 Band 7 Research Nurse,

5 Band 5 Nurses,

3 Immunology Specialist Registrars,

1 Associate Specialist in Allergy

2 allergy Speciality Doctors,

1 Immunology & Allergy Specialist Psychologist.

1 Allergy specialist dietician

There is also an admin team with a Clinical Admin Manager, SRIAP Data Performance Manager, SRIAP Coordinator, 2 Speciality Coordinators, 1 Medical Secretary, and 3 Ward Administrators.

The Diagnostic Immunology lab is supported by;

1x Band 8 Senior manager (shared)

1x Band 8 Principal Clinical Scientist lead

2x Band 7 Clinical Scientist

A range of BMS and Technical Staff

Budget Holder Responsibilities

Budget Holder responsibilities are currently held by one of the other Consultants and this is a responsibility which may rotate amongst the Consultants in the future.

Undergraduate Teaching

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is one of the NHS partners of the University of Plymouth Peninsula Medical School. The Directorate has a commitment to a significant part of the clinical undergraduate teaching programme. The post holder will be expected to participate in undergraduate teaching activities. Additional job planned sessions for protected teaching time would be agreed by mutual agreement with the Service Line Director. Such arrangements will be agreed within the Trusts' annual job planning and medical staff appraisal process.

Proposed Job Plan

Details of the proposed job plan should be set out below.

Whilst the example job plan given is for a 10PA post, those looking to work flexibly or LTFT are welcome to apply and the SPA allocation will remain the same as those looking to work 10PAs ie 1.5 generic SPA with up to another 1 PA for non-generic SPA as agreed with the service line director according to service line needs and the interests of the applicant. Applicants are encouraged to discuss this with service lead prior to application.

If the successful candidate wishes to work flexibly and this is agreed, the job plan will contain a minimum of 1.5 generic SPAs as long as the total PA allocation remains equal to or above 5 PAs. Additional SPA time can be added depending on availability, the interests of the candidate and needs of the department or Trust.

Proposed timetable (Job plans will be reviewed after 6 months of starting)

Type (DCC/SPA)

PA

Monday

AM

Outpatient clinic (Immunodeficiency)

DCC

1

PM

Immunodeficiency MDT

Clinical Admin/day case/consults

DCC

DCC

O.5

0.5

Tuesday

AM

Medical Student Teaching

SPA

0.5

PM

Triage/advice and guidance

Generic SPA

Laboratory

DCC

SPA

DCC

0.5

0.5

1

Wednesday

AM

Clinical Admin / Day Case / Consults

DCC

1

PM

Generic SPA

SPA

1

Thursday

AM

Outpatient Clinic (Allergy)

DCC

1

PM

Allergy MDT

DCC

0.5

Friday

AM

Clinical Admin / Day Case / Consults

DCC

1

PM

Outpatient Clinic (Allergy)

DCC

1

Additional

Total DCC

8

Total SPA

1.5 Generic; 0.5 Medical School Teaching

Total PAs

10

ON CALL

There is a Consultant On-Call Rota during normal working hours (Mon-Fri, 0900-1700), supported by the Immunology Resident Drs

Person Specification

Detailed experience

Essential

  • experience in laboratory diagnostic
  • Knowledge and experience of managing Immune Deficiencies

Desirable

  • Research Trial experience

Knowledge

Essential

  • Years Experience
  • FRCPath part 1 and 2
  • GMC registration

Desirable

  • Teaching qualification
  • Experience of Haematological Maligancy
  • Research experience
Person Specification

Detailed experience

Essential

  • experience in laboratory diagnostic
  • Knowledge and experience of managing Immune Deficiencies

Desirable

  • Research Trial experience

Knowledge

Essential

  • Years Experience
  • FRCPath part 1 and 2
  • GMC registration

Desirable

  • Teaching qualification
  • Experience of Haematological Maligancy
  • Research experience

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Immunologist

Lucy Leeman

lucy.leeman@nhs.net

01752431672

Details

Date posted

17 March 2026

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£109,725 to £145,478 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

216-G1-IMM7834337

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

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