Specialist Microbiologist
The closing date is 23 July 2026

Job summary
Successfully shortlisted candidates will be required to attend an in person interview at the Department of Pathology, Bedford Hospital.

Main duties of the job

• Liaise with clinicians, hospital staff and GPs concerning the diagnosis and management of patients and the prevention of infection.
• Day-to-day interpretation and authorisation of the results obtained. Multidisciplinary ward rounds.
• Participate in Consultant on-call for microbiology and infection prevention advice.
• Participate in on-going audit programmes within the department in close liaison with healthcare scientific staff.
• Provide advice and expertise to the Trust Antimicrobial Stewardship Group and promote good antimicrobial prescribing practice in both Trust hospitals and in the local community in Luton and Bedfordshire.
• Participate in the induction training of clinical staff on relevant aspects of microbiology and antimicrobial use.
• Regularly review Trust performance against UK and international standards on the application of good Antimicrobial Stewardship practice.
• Review antimicrobial resistance patterns for the hospitals and local community to enable advisory to Trust and Bedfordshire community antimicrobial guidance.
• Support the DIPC and the infection control team in implementing a robust Infection control programme and practice in the Trust.
• Co-operate in the investigation and prevention of communicable disease.
• Provide advice and assistance in day-to-day infection control related activities.
• Teaching medical students, post-graduates and others, both locally and regionally.

About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities

• Liaise with clinicians, hospital staff and GPs concerning the diagnosis and management of patients and the prevention of infection.
• Day-to-day interpretation and authorisation of the results obtained. Multidisciplinary ward rounds.
• Work with senior laboratory team to facilitate the assessment and introduction of new methods with infection control in view.
• Participate in Consultant on-call for microbiology and infection prevention advice.
• Development (in conjunction with colleagues) and authorisation of SOPs with infection control viewpoint.
• Participate in on-going audit programmes within the department in close liaison with healthcare scientific staff.
• Provide advice and expertise to the Trust Antimicrobial Stewardship Group and promote good antimicrobial prescribing practice in both Trust hospitals and in the local community in Luton and Bedfordshire.
• Participate in the induction training of clinical staff on relevant aspects of microbiology and antimicrobial use.
• Regularly review Trust performance against UK and international standards on the application of good Antimicrobial Stewardship practice.
• Review antimicrobial resistance patterns for the hospitals and local community to enable advisory to Trust and Bedfordshire community antimicrobial guidance.
• Support the DIPC and the infection control team in implementing a robust Infection control programme and practice in the Trust.
• Co-operate in the investigation and prevention of communicable disease.
• Provide advice and assistance in day-to-day infection control related activities.
• Teaching medical students, post-graduates and others, both locally and regionally.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• Relevant postgraduate qualification: FRCPath or equivalent

Desirable

• MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research
• Teaching Qualification in Medical Education (PG Cert.)

Registration
Essential

• Full GMC Registration (GMC Licence to Practice is mandatory before employment commences)

Eligibility
Essential

• Completed a minimum of 12 years medical work (either continuous period or on aggregate) since obtaining a primary medical qualification
• Completed a minimum of 6 years within Microbiology specialty
• Meets the criteria set out in the Generic Capabilities' Framework for the Specialist grade
• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Microbiology
• Knowledge and experience in supporting antimicrobial stewardship
• All round experience of DGH work
• Able to take full and independent responsibility for clinical work and delivering service without direct supervision.
• Ability to co-operate in a democratic team environment

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of infection prevention and control
• Experience in organising educational activities

Fitness to Practice
Essential

• Practises with the professional values and behaviours expected of all doctors as set out in GMC Good Medical Practice and the Generic Professional Capabilities Framework

Personal Circumstances
Essential

• Residence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on-call emergencies

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 Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

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

Employer details
Employer name: Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Bedford South Wing, Britannia Road, Bedford, MK429DJ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/

Employer contact details
Deputy General Manager for Pathology: Neil Cully, neil.cully@bedsft.nhs.uk, 07827495264