Job overview

Pathology provides a full microbiology, clinical biochemistry, immunology, haematology, blood transfusion, laboratory haemophilia, and cellular pathology service to the patients of EKUHFT, general practitioners, community healthcare and private hospitals in east Kent. The major proportion of laboratory work, including all work arising from primary care, takes place in purpose-built facilities on the WHH site.

We offer relocation expenses for permanent staff, 27-33 days’ annual leave (dependant on experience at the grade) and active support for study, quality improvement and patient safety work as part of our ‘We care’ improvement journey, and medical education and research.

Main duties of the job

The appointee, together with consultant colleagues, will be responsible for the provision of a comprehensive, efficient and cost-effective clinical microbiology, virology and infection prevention and control service to EKHUFT and other users of the service. There will be the opportunity to specialise and take the lead in particular clinical areas of infectious disease management with support of consultant colleagues.

This includes direct clinical care and proactive liaison in a timely manner with consultant colleagues, other hospital staff, medical microbiology colleagues, infectious disease and GUM physicians and lead respiratory physicians for tuberculosis management, general practitioners, antibiotic pharmacists, infection prevention and control nurses, and health protection consultants and Consultants in Communicable Disease Control (CCDCs) concerning the diagnosis and management of patients, and control and prevention of infection. Participate in, and offer medical advice through a “Microbiologist duty desk” daily rota.

They will participate in a rota of regular commitments to specific units, such as haemato/oncology, renal medicine, neurology, SCBU and orthopaedics, together with daily ward rounds to intensive care and high dependency units and review of significant ward patients. Appropriate involvement in preparation of policies, clinical and antimicrobial guidelines relevant to consultant medical microbiologist duties and diagnosis and management of infection.

Working for our organisation

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference’. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for roles Band 5 and above.