Consultant Virologist

Job summary

Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS) has an exciting opportunity for a medically-qualified virologist who holds FRCPath Part 2 or is within 6 months of being awarded GMC specialist registration by CCT or CESR to work at St Peter's Hospital.

We are one of the country's highest-performing, most integrated and most respected NHS Pathology networks.

BSPS serves six hospitals across five NHS Trusts: Ashford and St Peter's Hospital, Frimley Park Hospital, Wexham Park Hospital, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Royal Berkshire Hospital and East Surrey Hospital.

Applications are invited for a permanent full-time consultant virologist post (10 PAs, of which 8.5 are DCC and 1.5 are SPA). This is a new post created in recognition of the need to strengthen the resilience of the senior clinical team and to develop clinical virology services across our pathology network. We are looking for applicants with enthusiasm and drive, who are good communicators and team-workers, who foster productive working relationships with colleagues, and who are committed to patients, their safety and the quality of the services we provide.

Main duties of the job

To work productively and effectively as a team member with senior clinical virology colleagues and the virology laboratory BMS, MLA and administrative staff to ensure the delivery of a high-quality, safe, comprehensive virology service to the Trusts and communities of the BSPS network.

To validate, verify, authorise and interpret virology and related laboratory results.

To communicate critical/urgent results to clinical users and microbiologist colleagues.

To provide clinical advice on the management of patients with viral infectious diseases.

To engage with infection control and public health colleagues in the management of incidents and outbreaks.

To participate and lead on (where appropriate) the development of the repertoire of clinical virology services provided to the clinical teams of our Trusts.

To work according to the agreed job plan.

To uphold the principles of patient safety and confidentiality in line with regulations (e.g. GDPR) and published guidance (e.g. NICE, GMC Good Medical Practice).

To carry out clinical duties to the level of their clinical competence and in line with departmental SOPs and guidelines.

To conduct themselves according to the principles and precepts laid out in the GMC's Good Medical Practice standards.

About us

Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.

Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter's, Chertsey, Surrey.

We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at ASPH. We are committed to providing continuous professional development and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.

We are expanding our theatres at Ashford Hospital and moving towards this becoming our dedicated elective centre. We want to create a state-of-the-art centre for excellence for planned surgical procedures.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

1. Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
2. On-site Nurseries
3. On-site staff cafes
4. On-site parking
5. Support in career development
6. Salary Sacrifice schemes including wage stream, lease cars, Cycle to Work schemes and home electronics

Adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

For more information about a career at ASPH please visit: www.asph-careers.org

Date posted: 08 April 2025

Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade: Consultant

Salary: £105,504 to £139,882 a year 10 PAs, of which 8.5 are DCC and 1.5 are SPA

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 323-MD5263-LM

Job responsibilities

Refer to attached Job Description for further detailed information and person specification.

The successful candidate will join the team of a full-time consultant virologist and specialist doctor in Virology as well as the staff of our hub laboratory for BSPS, authorising the results and providing clinical advice for the whole of the network. There are opportunities for flexible working, including from home and at other hospital sites in the network.

Person Specification

Qualifications Essential

• Medical Degree: MBBS or equivalent
• FRCPath or evidence of equivalent qualification
• Full and specialist registration (and a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC) (or be eligible for specialist registration within six months of interview
• Applicants who are UK trained, must also be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Virology, or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview. -Applicants who are non-UK trained will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT

Desirable

• MRCP
• Joint training (Virology and ID)

Experience, Knowledge and Skills Essential

• Experience in Infection Control and management of outbreaks.
• Experience in clinical service delivery
• Experience of laboratory virology, including familiarity with common testing platforms, QMS, accreditation, the use of LIMS
• Thorough understanding of the principles of and experience in clinical audit
• Competence in the use of common IT systems and applications

Desirable

• Experience in developing effective and collaborative working relationships
• Experience in MDTs
• Experience in clinics and ward rounds

Attributes, Values and Behaviours Essential

• Knowledge and awareness of diversity and human rights
• Ability to communicate effectively with other staff to ensure that care, treatment and support are not compromised
• Understanding of principles of clinical governance
• Evidence of ability to continuously improve patient and staff experience
• Ability to empathise with patients and their families and to treat them with compassion and sensitivity

Teaching Essential

• Medical and non-medical undergraduate and postgraduate teaching experience

Desirable

• Postgraduate certificate in Education

Leadership and Management Essential

• Understanding of NHS Policy and delivery of national performance targets (including hospital acquired infections)
• Flexible, pragmatic and a problem solving approach
• Ability to inspire and motivate others

Desirable

• Evidence of previous active participation in leadership and management activities

Research Essential

• Experience of research, particularly in collaboration with other clinicians

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.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address: St Peter's Hospital, Guildford Road, Chertsey, KT16 0PZ

Employer's website: https://www.ashfordstpeters.nhs.uk/