Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job Title: Consultant in Medical Microbiology
Start Date: October 2026 but depends upon candidate
Contract Type: Fixed term
Duration: 6 months with a possible extension to 12 months
Purpose for Fixed Term: Short term funding

Further details about the role can be found in the job description below.

Main duties of the job
We are looking to recruit a Locum Consultant in Medical Microbiology +/- Infectious Diseases to an ‍8PA post based at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) NHS Foundation Trust. There is flexibility in the start date depending upon individual requirements. The post is initially for 6 months with an option to extend to 1 year. We aim to convert this into a permanent post in due course. As part of our team, you will work collaboratively with colleagues, helping to deliver excellent services and ensuring the highest standards of patient care.

You will join the Integrated Department of Infection, whose clinical services include an inpatient and outpatient Infectious Diseases service providing end-to-end care for patients with complex infections, Medical Microbiology, Medical Virology, Infection Prevention and Control, OPAT and a 24/7 on-call Microbiology service. It is envisaged that you will work predominantly within Medical Microbiology with the opportunity to be involved in the OPAT service for an appropriately qualified candidate.

UHS provides both secondary and tertiary care to the population of Southampton, as well as to approximately three million people across Wessex. The Trust is a leading centre for Infectious Diseases research, including metagenomics, and is a key partner in the Southern Counties Pathology network.

About us
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

Job responsibilities
You will be responsible for supporting the delivery of safe, effective, and patient-centred care while working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation.

You will:

• Provide expert clinical microbiology input to patient management across the Trust, actively contributing to multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings and specialist unit rounds
• Participate in antimicrobial stewardship rounds including IV to oral switch.
• Participate in rounds on specialist units as dictated by service needs
• Participate in the in-hours duty microbiology on call rota
• Participate in the out of hours Microbiology on call rota
• Be involved in the clinical supervision of resident doctors undertaking core and higher infection training.
• Promote high professional standards of clinical care for patients, both direct patient care and by the maintenance of continuing professional development.
• Teach and mentor, providing clinical supervision for resident doctors in core and higher infection training, as well as medical students and allied healthcare professionals.

There is the opportunity to work within the physician led OPAT service alongside consultant colleagues where you have the requisite experience.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role, including responsibilities, requirements, and essential criteria.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The successful candidate will be employed under the terms and conditions of service for Consultants (England) 2003.

Proposed interview date: 20th October 2026

This vacancy closes on or before 16th September 2026

Person Specification
Qualifications, Training & Experience
Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• Full GMC registration with a licence to practise
• Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
• Extensive and in-depth knowledge of working within the NHS
• Experience in interpreting and authorising microbiology results and collaborating closely with laboratory staff
• Participation in audit and clinical governance activity

Desirable

• Within 6 months of CCT in Medical Microbiology (or equivalent), or currently on the GMC Specialist Register
• Experience in OPAT

Aptitudes and Skills
Essential

• Evidence and ability to work effectively in multi-professional teams
• Understanding of equality and diversity and how this affects patients, visitors and staff
• Evidence and ability to communicate and liaise effectively with patients and colleagues (verbal and written communication skills in English)
• Demonstrate good organisational skills including ability to prioritise effectively and meet deadlines
• Demonstrate the ability to be calm, compassionate, and able to respond efficiently to various circumstances, which may change rapidly
• Evidence of participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
• Evidence of teaching skills

Living the Tust Values
Essential

• Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values: Patients First
• Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values: Always Improving
• Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values: Working Together

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 (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).

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).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).