Job summary
Applications are invited for a locum consultant post in Medical Virology within the Division of Infection at Barts Health NHS Trust, starting September 2025. This is a 6 month fixed term post to cover parental leave. It is based at the Royal London Hospital (RLH) but has responsibilities covering all the hospitals within Barts Health NHS Trust, as well as those of the East and South East London (ESEL) NHS Pathology Partnership. This post provides excellent opportunities to work across the large academic tertiary care centres and acute general hospitals in the East End of London.
This locum post is suitable for consultants accredited in Medical Virology and those with dual accreditation in Medical Virology and Infectious Diseases. It may also be suitable for consultants accredited in Medical Microbiology or Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases who have experience or special interest in Virology.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a growing department of Microbiologists, Virologists and Infectious diseases physicians, as well as working in a Trust with an on-site diagnostic laboratory. The laboratory, based at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, hosts the new East and South East London (ESEL) NHS Pathology Partnership that came into existence on 1st May 2021. It is an NHS pathology partnership between Barts Health NHS Trust, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust pathology services.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as part of an integrated Department of Infection, joining 17 permanent and 8 locum/honorary consultant colleagues across the Trust. It is expected the appointee will participate in delivery of diagnostic, clinical, antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control services to patients, staff and local general practitioners and deliver departmental teaching activity, including training of clinical scientists and specialist registrars in Medical Virology, Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
This post attracts a 1 in 4 'third tier' on call for Virology worked remotely. Dependent on candidate experience and qualifications, there may be opportunity to participate in the infectious diseases on call for the department.
Applicants are expected to have FRCPath or show evidence of equivalent. Applicants must hold Full and Specialist registration with a license to practice without restrictions with the General Medical Council (GMC) or be within 3 months of specialist registration by the date of interview.
Applicants that are UK trained must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Medical Virology (or Medical Microbiology) or be within 3 months of CCT at the date of interview. Applicants that are non-UK trained will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT.
About us
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate, and support an inclusive working environment where staff treat one another with dignity and respect. We aim to create an equitable working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential.
Barts Health supports The Pregnancy Loss Pledge and commits to supporting their staff through the distress of miscarriage.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description and the person specification provide an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, outlining the qualification, skills, experience, and knowledge required.
Please view the attachment below.
Please be advised that the vacancy advertisement may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, we recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description and the person specification provide an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, outlining the qualification, skills, experience, and knowledge required.
Please view the attachment below.
Please be advised that the vacancy advertisement may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, we recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registerable medical qualification (MBChB, MBBS or equivalent)
Desirable
- MRCP (UK) or show evidence of equivalent qualification
Higher Qualifications
Essential
- FRCPath (UK) or show evidence of equivalent qualification
Desirable
- Other higher degree or diploma (e.g., MD or PhD)
Registration
Essential
- Full and Specialist registration in Medical Virology or Medical Microbiology (with license to practice) with the General Medical Council or be eligible for specialist registration within 3 months of interview
- Applicants that are UK trained, must ALSO be a holder of Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or be within 3 months of CCT on the date of interview
- Applicants that are non-UK trained will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
Desirable
- Full and Specialist registration in Infectious Diseases (with license to practice) with the General Medical Council or be eligible for specialist registration within 3 months of interview
Experience, knowledge and skills
Essential
- Experience of working in diagnostic virology laboratory
- Knowledge of laboratory virology assays and techniques
- Able to participate in relevant virology laboratory trouble shooting
- Experience in offering an expert diagnostic and clinical opinion on a range of elective & emergency problems within clinical virology
- Able to take full responsibility for delivering a clinical and diagnostic virology service
Desirable
- Experience in the development of diagnostic virology and/or microbiology assays including molecular assays
- Experience of manging Viral Hepatitis
- Experience in the antiviral treatment of immunocompromised patients
- Experience of working in Infection Prevention and Control
- Clinical experience and thorough knowledge of principles of Antimicrobial Stewardship
Administration
Essential
- Proven ability to manage and co-ordinate the dayto- day clinical Virology service
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload
- Broad range of IT skills and computer literacy
Desirable
- Familiar with current structure of Health Service and conversant with recent initiatives and changes
Leadership and Management
Essential
- Experience of clinical leadership of multidisciplinary teams
- Able to take responsibility, show leadership, make decisions and respond appropriately to service needs
Desirable
- Evidence of Leadership / management training
- Experience of implementing change
Audit and Quality Improvement
Essential
- Experience of participating in quality or safety improvement projects
- Awareness of the importance of Clinical Governance
Teaching and Training
Essential
- Experience of supervising doctors in training
- Experience of teaching students and multidisciplinary teams
Desirable
- Competencies as required for Clinical and Educational supervisors
- Experience of Educational Supervision
- Teaching skills course/qualification
Research and Publications
Essential
- Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems
Desirable
- Experience of research
- Publications in the chosen sub-specialty field
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registerable medical qualification (MBChB, MBBS or equivalent)
Desirable
- MRCP (UK) or show evidence of equivalent qualification
Higher Qualifications
Essential
- FRCPath (UK) or show evidence of equivalent qualification
Desirable
- Other higher degree or diploma (e.g., MD or PhD)
Registration
Essential
- Full and Specialist registration in Medical Virology or Medical Microbiology (with license to practice) with the General Medical Council or be eligible for specialist registration within 3 months of interview
- Applicants that are UK trained, must ALSO be a holder of Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or be within 3 months of CCT on the date of interview
- Applicants that are non-UK trained will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
Desirable
- Full and Specialist registration in Infectious Diseases (with license to practice) with the General Medical Council or be eligible for specialist registration within 3 months of interview
Experience, knowledge and skills
Essential
- Experience of working in diagnostic virology laboratory
- Knowledge of laboratory virology assays and techniques
- Able to participate in relevant virology laboratory trouble shooting
- Experience in offering an expert diagnostic and clinical opinion on a range of elective & emergency problems within clinical virology
- Able to take full responsibility for delivering a clinical and diagnostic virology service
Desirable
- Experience in the development of diagnostic virology and/or microbiology assays including molecular assays
- Experience of manging Viral Hepatitis
- Experience in the antiviral treatment of immunocompromised patients
- Experience of working in Infection Prevention and Control
- Clinical experience and thorough knowledge of principles of Antimicrobial Stewardship
Administration
Essential
- Proven ability to manage and co-ordinate the dayto- day clinical Virology service
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload
- Broad range of IT skills and computer literacy
Desirable
- Familiar with current structure of Health Service and conversant with recent initiatives and changes
Leadership and Management
Essential
- Experience of clinical leadership of multidisciplinary teams
- Able to take responsibility, show leadership, make decisions and respond appropriately to service needs
Desirable
- Evidence of Leadership / management training
- Experience of implementing change
Audit and Quality Improvement
Essential
- Experience of participating in quality or safety improvement projects
- Awareness of the importance of Clinical Governance
Teaching and Training
Essential
- Experience of supervising doctors in training
- Experience of teaching students and multidisciplinary teams
Desirable
- Competencies as required for Clinical and Educational supervisors
- Experience of Educational Supervision
- Teaching skills course/qualification
Research and Publications
Essential
- Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems
Desirable
- Experience of research
- Publications in the chosen sub-specialty field
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).
