Job overview
Applications are invited for 2 new Medical Microbiology and Infectious diseases Consultant posts at the University Hospitals of Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSussex).
UHSussex is an innovative teaching trust consisting of four hospital sites; the acute tertiary centre in Brighton and district general hospitals at Chichester, Worthing and Haywards Heath. The Infectious Diseases Unit, based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, is a Specialist Regional Infectious Diseases Centre. Microbiology services are supported by laboratories at St Richards Hospital, Chichester and at Brighton. UHSussex has close links to the Academic Department of Global Health and Infection at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, and the University of Sussex and University of Brighton.
These exciting posts have been developed to enhance collaborative working across our trust maximising the reach and expertise of our infection specialists across the region. The substantive 10 PA job plan offers 50% of time in Clinical Microbiology serving Worthing or Chichester hospital sites, and 50% covering Infectious Diseases in Brighton. We are looking for individuals who seek to embrace the opportunities offered through cooperative working across our sites to strengthen the provision of a high quality, comprehensive and efficient infection service.
Our hospitals are situated along the beautiful Sussex coast, nestled against the South Downs, offering excellent transport links to London and Europe.
Main duties of the job
These posts will offer consultants breadth of opportunity in both Clinical Microbiology at our DGH (St Richard's Hospital, Chichester- SRH) and Infectious Diseases in an acute tertiary setting. The posts will involve rotational one-month periods at each site. We expect our consultants to be adaptable to the requirements of each role andto contribute to developing cross site clinical pathways thus supporting the delivery of an integrated Trust wide Infection service.
The Microbiology Service at Worthing and SRH is provided by Consultant Microbiologists located at both sites working closely with the UKAS accredited microbiology laboratory at SRH. The service has a strong emphasis on outreach and multi-disciplinary working and postholders are expected to provide timely clinical liaison. The cross-site roles of the 2 consultants will be part of a process to harmonise infection services across the whole Trust and to ensure equitable access to specialist Infection input at whatever site a patient might present.
The Infectious Diseases component, based at RSCH Brighton involves ongoing inpatient and outpatient care. The posts are intended to support service expansion, providing Infection consults and specialist oversight of patients in outlying ward areas Rapid Access Infectious Disease clinics. We are looking for applicants with the skills to work with health care professionals across divisions to promote and deliver our antimicrobial stewardship goals.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating.
Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in.
We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Our Infection Consultants are responsible for the provision of a high quality, comprehensive and efficient infection service which serve the hospitals and community of Sussex. We provide expertise in solving complex diagnostic problems, management of tropical and other imported infections, tuberculosis, HIV and bone and joint infections. The infection service offers a significant MDT input across the trust, which includes tuberculosis, endocarditis, OPAT, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic, vascular, haematology, renal and paediatric services and provides specialist advice in infection control, hospital epidemiology and antibiotic stewardship. We are the hub for infection training in KSS.
The substantive 10 PA job plan will comprise 50% time in Clinical Microbiology serving the Worthing or Chichester hospital sites, and 50% time covering Infectious Diseases at the Royal Sussex County Site Brighton. The expectation of the post is rotational one-month periods subject to discussion with the successful candidates. The duties of each post are detailed below;
1.Clinical Microbiology at Worthing Hospital and/or St Richards Hospital
The Clinical Microbiology Service for Worthing and SRH is provided by Consultant Microbiologists located at both Worthing and Chichester, who work closely together to ensure a unified and comprehensive service, with a strong emphasis on outreach and multi-disciplinary working.
Clinical duties include:
· Infection consults to review in-patients with complex infections.
· Daily Microbiology ward rounds to review patients with bacteraemia.
· Clinical liaison with hospital staff and general practitioners on the management and prevention of infection.
· Contribute to multidisciplinary meetings /specialist ward rounds: bone/joint infections, diabetic foot, haematology and infective endocarditis
· ITU and HDU infection ward rounds.
· Participation in clinical and laboratory protocol and guideline development in association with the other consultants across both SRH and RSCH laboratories.
· Liaison with Health Protection Staff and Infection Prevention and Control Team when necessary.
· Authorisation and interpretation of laboratory reports
Opportunity to take on Departmental lead roles:
· Clinical Lead
· OPAT Lead
· Antimicrobial Stewardship Lead
· Infection Prevention Lead
2.Infectious Diseases, RSCH, Brighton
We are looking for applicants with interests in the delivery and development of an integrated Infection service comprising:
· Ongoing inpatient care of patients with infections. Infection Consultant of the week role in management of patients with infection on outlying ward areas.
· Rapid Access Infectious Diseases (RAID) clinic – supervision and development of this service
· Infection Consults - this post is intended to support the extension of this service
· Antimicrobial stewardship
3. Generic roles and Responsibilities
. Contribute to teaching Specialist Trainees and Foundation Doctors.
· Contribute to teaching medical students, both ward and lecture-based.
· Attend cross site monthly consultant, governance, and management meetings
· Clinical and Educational Supervision of Specialist Trainees.
· Participate in department audits.
· Participate in yearly strengthened Trust appraisal and 5 yearly Revalidation.
· Participate in Royal College of Pathologists CPD scheme
· Participation in research and development is possible but would be expected to take place in SPA time
The post- holder will be required to provide on-call service for Microbiology (Worthing and SRH) when undertaking the Microbiology period (1 in 8) allowing half a day off (uncontracted hours) in the week in lieu of predictable on call hours during the Microbiology rotation. Category A (5%). For the ID commitment the post holder will be required to provide ID/GiM weekend ward cover on the infectious diseases ward and a GiM (endocrine ward) (1 in 16, 0.25PA/week annualised).
Please see the job description and person specification attached to the advert for further details of the post.
Person specification
Career Progression
Essential criteria
1. Appropriate progression of career to date
Experience/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
2. •Basic medical degree
3. •FRCPath and MRCP or its recognised equivalent
4. •Full and specialist registration (with a licence to practise) with the GMC or be eligible for registration within six months of the interview. • If you trained in the UK, you must also have a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Infectious diseases & Microbiology or be within six months of receiving it by the interview date. • If you trained outside the UK, you must provide evidence that your qualifications are equivalent to the UK CCT. (Equivalence must be confirmed by GMC by date of AAC)
Desirable criteria
5. •Higher Degree
6. •Qualification in medical education (Masters, Diploma/Certificate
7. •Diploma in Tropical medicine & Hygiene
8. •ALS certification
Clinical Skills and Experience
Essential criteria
9. •Confidence in managing general medical comorbidities in patients with infection
10. •Understanding of clinical risk management
Desirable criteria
11. •Postgraduate experience of working in ICU or HDU environment
Knowledge
Essential criteria
12. •Appropriate level of clinical knowledge / up to date
13. •Knowledge and use of evidence-based practice
Desirable criteria
14. •Breadth of experience in and outside specialty
Organisation and Planning
Essential criteria
15. oExperience and ability to work in multi-professional teams.
16. oUnderstanding of: NHS / Clinical governance / Resource constraints
Desirable criteria
17. •Evidence of managerial skills: Achievements / Course attended
Teaching Skills
Essential criteria
18. •Evidence of an interest and commitment to teaching
Desirable criteria
19. •Recognised teaching qualification
Academic and Research
Essential criteria
20. Evidence of participation in audit
Desirable criteria
21. Research experience
22. Publications
23. Prizes and honours
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
24. Evidence of:- Good communication skills both oral and written
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications