Consultants in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (x2)
The closing date is 05 February 2026
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 and to 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.
About us
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.
Job responsibilities
Our Infection Consultants are responsible for the provision of a high quality, comprehensive and efficient infection service which serves 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.
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.
2. Infectious Diseases, RSCH, Brighton
* 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 yearly Strengthened Trust appraisal and 5‑year 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 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, 0.25 PA/week annualised).
Please see the job description and person specification attached to the advert for further details of the post.
Person Specification
* Appropriate progression of career to date.
Experience / Qualifications
* FRCPath and MRCP or its recognised equivalent.
* 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.
* Higher Degree.
* Qualification in medical education (Masters, Diploma/Certificate).
* Diploma in Tropical medicine & Hygiene.
* ALS certification.
Clinical Skills and Experience
* Confidence in managing general medical comorbidities in patients with infection.
* Understanding of clinical risk management.
* Postgraduate experience of working in ICU or HDU environment.
Knowledge
* Appropriate level of clinical knowledge / up to date.
* Knowledge and use of evidence‑based practice.
* Breadth of experience in and outside specialty.
Organisation and Planning
* Experience and ability to work in multi‑professional teams.
* Understanding of NHS / Clinical governance / Resource constraints.
* Evidence of managerial skills: achievements / courses attended.
Teaching Skills
* Evidence of an interest and commitment to teaching.
* Recognised teaching qualification.
Academic and Research
* Evidence of participation in audit.
* Research experience.
* Publications.
* Prizes and honours.
Personal Attributes
* Evidence of good communication skills, both oral and written.
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.
Address
Royal Sussex County Hospital and St Richard's Hospital.
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