Specialist grade in Microbiology and infectious sciences

The post holder provides laboratory liaison, expert microbiological and infection control advice, and antimicrobial stewardship across both Stepping Hill and Tameside General Hospitals, including clinical reviews on ward rounds.

Duties include sharing oversight of specimen processing with consultant colleagues, validating and interpreting results, and advising clinicians and GPs on diagnostic tests, antibiotic usage and patient management. The post holder participates in ICU ward rounds, antibiotic stewardship rounds and microbiology discussion meetings, and supports the IPCNs in day-to-day infection prevention and control.

They communicate results and technical advice to all service users, maintain confidentiality, report incidents per Trust policy, and attend Directorate and Trust meetings, including SAE/SUI meetings as required. The role involves contributing to policy and service development, assisting with UKAS compliance, developing a specialist clinical interest, and taking a leadership role to support safe, effective service delivery. The post holder also assists in training junior medical staff.

Participation in the workday and out-of-hours clinical microbiology rotas is expected, as part of the consultant out-of-hours rota (currently ~1 in 5 weeknights and 1 in 7 weekends), providing advice to Stockport, Tameside, Mid Cheshire and East Cheshire.

We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.

We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.

We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.

If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.

We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.

Benefits we offer to you

o Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays

o NHS pension scheme membership

o Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further

o NHS Staff discounts

o Cycle to work scheme

oSalary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt

o Stockport Credit Union- for local financial advice

Professional qualifications

Training

Experience

Research

Professional skills