Consultant Microbiologist /Infectious Diseases

William Harvey Hospital

344-8513CONCSW

Dear candidate,

Welcome to East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust. We are a pioneering Trust, on an exciting journey of healthcare transformation, with award-winning research and innovation, and a strong team ethos. We’re looking for positive clinical leaders who want to help us deliver first-class patient care to a fascinating and complex population and be part of something special.

As you would expect from a large teaching Trust, we prize training doctors, nurses and other health professionals and we already work closely with local universities and King’s College, University of London. We now have the exciting new opportunity of working with Kent and Medway’s new Medical School, jointly provided by the University of Kent and Canterbury Christchurch University, which opens in September 2020. The Trust has five hospitals providing a wide range of high quality services and opportunities for innovation. The William Harvey Hospital in Ashford has the full range of district general hospital services, as well as regional specialities, including the country’s best performing trauma unit. The Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, also provides district general hospital services, while Kent & Canterbury Hospital in Canterbury is a specialist services hub which provides adult medical care, inpatient renal, urology and vascular services and robotic surgery. Our new hospital in Dover, the Buckland, and Royal Victoria Hospital, Folkestone, provide a variety of outpatient, diagnostic and minor injury services, alongside a range of services throughout the local area. We have a clear clinically-led strategy to transform secondary care in east Kent to deliver outstanding standards across all specialties which build services around the characteristics of our patients and a commitment to refreshing our estate and facilities. We support clinicians who see opportunities to make tertiary care available locally for our population, and we have a strong research ethic as a high recruiter to research studies. Our vision is to provide ‘great healthcare from great people’, and we are proud of what we have achieved to date for our population and are excited about what’s to come. If you would like to be part of this exciting journey, your rewarding work-life will be complemented by the advantages of living in the Garden of England, with a choice of rural, seaside and picturesque places to enjoy and live in, alongside the essentials like excellent schools and easy access to London – and Europe.

In March 2018 the Government and Health Education England announced that a joint bid by Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Kent to establish a medical school was successful. The medical school opens its doors in September 2020, offering 100 undergraduate medical places on a yearly basis. The five year programme will be taught at the Canterbury campuses of both universities with medical placements within Primary, Community and Secondary Care across Kent and Medway. The Kent & Medway Medical School (KMMS) will be Kent and Medway’s first ever medical school, bringing together the existing centres of excellence in health and medical education provided by the two universities, and local healthcare organisations such as East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust. It will offer a new model of patient-focused medical education.

The KMMS will also play a key part of the solution to the challenges of recruiting and retaining medical professionals for this region. You will have the chance to be there at the start of what is expected to be an exciting and productive relationship and help to shape the Drs of the future. One of the largest acute trusts in England, we have a predicted turnover of almost £600 million. We serve a population of 695,000 people in East Kent and over a million through our regional services, employ 7,950 staff and have 1,000 beds across three main hospital sites. If you think this could be the start of something special, please apply as quickly as possible because we will close the advert for this job once we’ve received sufficient applications. If you have a disability or long-term health problem, we are committed to offering reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and employment. If you would like more information or support, please contact the Resourcing Team on 01227 866450 or resourcing@nhs.net, who will be happy to help.

Yours faithfully, Susan Acott, Chief Executive

Our Mission, Vision and Values Our mission is "Improving health and wellbeing"

Our vision is "Great healthcare from great people"

Our values are

People feel cared for as individuals

People feel safe, reassured and involved

People feel teamwork, trust and respect sit at the heart of everything we do

People feel confident we are making a difference

Our strategic objectives

Our strategic objectives aim to lead us to: a Good and then Outstanding CQC rating; to drive performance, particularly in the key access standards; to make the Trust a great place to work; deliver integration and a more sustainable future for our services across east Kent; develop our staff and teams and improve our finances.

You can find out more about what we do on our website at www.ekhuft.nhs.uk and

view our organisational structure charts here.

Job Description

Job title Consultant Microbiologist /Infectious Diseases

Band Medical consultant, full time (10 PAs) + 1 PA on-call Microbiology

Care Group* Clinical Support Services

Reports to* Head of Service - Microbiology

Accountable to* Clinical Director of Pathology/Chief Medical Officer Based at*

William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, Kent

This is a replacement post, joining a team of 4 other Consultants in Microbiology, Virology and Infection in a 1:5 Clinical Microbiology and Infection on-call. The Microbiology Laboratory for the Trust is sited at William Harvey Hospital, Ashford which is the work base for the Clinical Microbiology and Infection team. The department comes under Pathology Division which falls under the Clinical Support Services Care Group.

THE CLINICAL SUPPORT SERVICES CARE GROUP

Care Group Operations Director: Chris Hudson

Care Group Medical Director: Sally Hall

The Care Group formed in October 2018, bringing together the six clinical support and diagnostic departments of Pathology, Outpatients, Pharmacy, Radiological Sciences, Therapies and Audiology.

The six distinct departments all have differences ranging from their regulatory bodies through to ways of working. One common theme is that our services are required in virtually all sectors of healthcare, be it acute or primary.

The Care Group is based across all five Trust sites, as well as other sites within the local community.

The Care Group will earn the autonomy to operate as a Board in its own right and be accountable for service development strategy and delivery of first class clinical, research and teaching outcomes, creating excellent quality care and an improved patient experience.

THE PATHOLOGY DEPARTMENT Pathology provides a full clinical biochemistry, immunology, haematology, blood transfusion,

laboratory haemophilia, cellular pathology and microbiology service to the patients of East

Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust (EKUHFT), general practitioners and private

hospitals in east Kent. The major proportion of blood science analyses, including all work

arising from primary care, takes place in relatively new purpose built facilities on the WHH

site. All immunology, cellular pathology and laboratory microbiology is centralised at WHH.

A phlebotomy service is provided on the main sites WHH, K&CH and QEQMH and also at

Buckland Hospital, Dover and Royal Victoria Hospital, Folkestone. Point of care testing

(POCT, where the sample is analysed at adjacent to the patient) is well established

throughout the Trust.

East Kent Hospitals is participating in the Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP) for

Kent and Medway to develop an integrated pathology service across the county. Further

information about the Department may be found at http://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/pathology.

OUTPATIENT SERVICES Outpatient Services (OS) comprises Outpatient Clinical Departments and Health Record

Departments across the Trust and the centralised booking functions of the Outpatient

Appointment Centre. The Department is currently responsible for approximately 1.69 million

acute healthcare records (including legacy records), 1.2 million A&E cards and

approximately 1 million Community Paediatric healthcare records, following trust mergers in

1999. There are six working record libraries; three main libraries at William Harvey Hospital,

Ashford, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Margate and Kent & Canterbury

Hospital. There are smaller libraries at Buckland Hospital, Dover and the Ashford sub-store.

The Outpatient Appointment Centre is on the Kent & Canterbury Hospital site. Its purpose is

to provide a centralised service specifically designed for outpatients including the booking of

appointments, clinic maintenance and a central point of contact for patients, staff and GPs.

In addition the centre also supports referrals made through the Choose & Book system.

AUDIOLOGY

Audiology provides routine and complex clinical diagnostic assessments and rehabilitation in

support of ENT otology at EKHUFT. The audiology clinical areas include hearing, tinnitus

and balance. Audiology clinics are carried out across the Trust’s three acute sites plus Royal

Victoria Hospital, Folkestone, Buckland Hospital, Dover and Victoria Hospital, Deal.

Audiology staff also provide on-site diagnostic services for the ENT GPwSI ENT Clinics at

Kingsnorth GP Surgery. Additionally, audiology provides direct referral hearing aid provision

for GPs across East Kent. EKHUFT audiology has close links and works with the Hi Kent

Hard of Hearing Charity and the Thanet Tinnitus Group.

PHARMACY The vision for the delivery of pharmacy services is expressed in the statement:

‘Hospital pharmacy will protect the patients’ right to make informed choices about their

medicines, and will collaborate with the patient to ensure the safe and effective use of

medicines within a knowledge-based and integrated healthcare system.’

There are a range of services that underpin the clinical function:

Dispensary Services

Technical Services (Comprising of technician led procurement, distribution, over-

labelling and Pharmacy IT Support)

Aseptic Services (including Radio-pharmacy) - The Technician-led Trust Aseptic

service is an MHRA licensed unit which is able to batch manufacture chemotherapy.

Quality Assurance - to ensure compliance with all local and national guidelines for

the production of medicines, to maintain responsibility for gas quality testing, and to

manage authorised document control within the directorate.

Medicines Information and Prescribing Policy Clinical Trials

Education & Training

RADIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Radiological Sciences deals with the study and application of imaging technology to

diagnose and treat disease. Radiologists, radiographers, sonographers and technicians are

able to do this by utilising an array of imaging technologies, such as ultrasound, computed

tomography (CT), nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The

Department is supported by a professional and dedicated nursing team, and a flexible and

highly effective administrative, operational and management team. The Department has

introduced extended working days and seven day working, encompassing the previous 24/7

acute service.

Breast Screening is increasing with rollout of age extension of the screening programme.

The Trust and Department has invested in two new MRI scanners, fluoroscopy equipment,

digital mammography equipment and the refurbishment of facilities. The Department also

employs clinical scientists, technologists, engineers and technicians, who, as Healthcare

Scientists, play a central role in safe and effective patient care. The Department is a training

centre for both Medical Physics and Nuclear Medicine. In Nuclear Medicine, hard work has

led to both UK and Australian registration and the team look to exploit this more in the future.

THERAPIES The Therapies Department is responsible for the provision of Physiotherapy, Occupational

Therapy, Adult Speech Language Therapy, Dietetics and Podiatry and Orthotics across the

Trust’s five acute sites. Therapy staff also work out of GP surgeries and satellite clinics. The

Therapies Unit also runs a Day Hospital which assesses and treats patients referred from

GPs, ICTs, consultants and other therapists. Most of the patients have neurological

disorders (mainly Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and strokes). They also treat

elderly patients who have fallen (there is a falls group) and patients who have had lower limb

amputations. They offer follow up for Botox patients and link in with TIA clinics. There are

satellite clinics from the Gillingham Disability Service, at WHH and KCH for amputee patients

which are supported by the therapy teams on each site.

MICROBIOLOGY

The Consultant Microbiologists are professionally and managerially accountable

to the Clinical Director of Pathology (Dr Edmund Lamb) for all aspects of

laboratory work (clinical and analytical) via the Head of Service.

The Head of Service for Microbiology is Dr Samuel Moses who is responsible for

the management of Microbiology services. There is also liaison between all

Consultant staff and delegated management responsibilities in certain areas

such as training and junior medical staff.

The budget for Microbiology is managed by the Head Biomedical Scientist in

Microbiology Rachael Arkley. The annual budget is £4.1 million.

The Trust is keen to reflect a more clinical infection role for Consultant

Microbiologist/Virologists in the new NHS. To this end all consultants are

expected to align their microbiology activities in line with user needs and

expectations. This has meant increased interactions with Trust wide clinical

teams, infection control nurses, antimicrobial pharmacists, facilities and support

services.

BMS staff now authorise the majority of reports except those for key areas (e.g.

ITU) and selected reports of special interest. Medical staff, antimicrobial

pharmacists and infection control nurses meet daily and via teleconference

(subject to other commitments) to review and discuss cases and allocate new

work.

MDTs (multi-disciplinary team meetings) have been established between

Microbiology and Haematology, Orthopaedics, Neurology, Neonatology, ENT

and Renal Medicine. An Endocarditis MDT is in the process of being set up.

There are always opportunities to establish close liaisons and MDTs with other

clinical specialities and clinical services such as OPAT. Collaboration and liaison

with colleagues from West Kent and Medway for the purpose of benchmarking,

auditing and standardisation of clinical pathways across Kent will also be

expected.

Although laboratory microbiology services are centralised at WHH the

microbiologists participate in a rota providing clinical cover including ward rounds

and MDMs to K&C and QEQM in order to deliver an equivalent and consistent

high quality consultant led microbiology service to all three main sites. These

rotations are normally for a two weeks at a time.

The microbiology service has full UKAS accreditation against ISO 15189:2012

standards.

Microbiology also has full Training approval status by the Institute of Biomedical

Science for HCPC registration and post registration Specialist Diplomas for

Medical Microbiology and Virology. It is also approved to train support staff for

registered technician status with the Science Council.

The department has recently been accredited by the National School of

Healthcare Science for Clinical Scientist training under the Modernising Scientific

careers programme. Currently there is one trainee STP scientist and one

scientist in the higher specialist scientific training (HSST) programme..

Service Workload 2017/18

Microbiology carries out a comprehensive range of diagnostic bacteriology,

virology and Mycology tests. The workload comprises of approximately 370,000

bacteriology work-types and 170,000 Virology/serology tests of which

approximately 50% is received from primary care. There is a full 7 day service in

operation as well as an extended week day until 19:00. Biomedical Scientists

also cover an out of hours on call service from home or the hospital

accommodation.

Table 1 Test name Total requests – 2018/19

Swabs/pus/tissues/fluids 31404

MRSA screens 88604

Genital samples (HVS, cervical, urethral, uterine, sub prepuce, IUCDs etc. Excl samples for HSV and chlamydia)

19682

Blood cultures 26016

CSF 848

Respiratory cultures 13290

Mycology 3322

Mycobacterial culture 2045

RSV screen 72

Urine

Culture and sensitivity 62928

Microscopy only 39257

Legionella and pneumococcal antigen detection 1290

Faeces

Enteric PCR 14302

Culture and sensitivity 1009

Microscopy (OCP) 1116

Faecal virus antigen detection (rotavirus/adenovirus) 1453

Clostridium difficile detection 7192

H. pylori antigen 5534

Serology

Syphilis antibody 29375

HIV antibody 32521

Hepatitis A IgM 3382

Hepatitis B sAg 18286

Anti-HBs 4115

Anti-HBc IgG/total antibody 3956

Hepatitis C antibody 12215

Rubella IgG 1955

Interferon gamma detection 580

Molecular

HIV Viral Load 1799

HCV PCR 1168

CMV Viral Load 1138

Respiratory PCR 1914

CSF PCR 216

Chlamydia PCR 40818

N. gonorrhoea PCR 38522

Herpes PCR 3231

The department is registered as a Specialist Mycology laboratory with the “UK

Clinical Mycology Network”. https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/uk-clinical-

mycology- network This includes active research into Candida biofilms and

colonisation, particularly with Voicebox prostheses, in conjunction with the

University of Kent at Canterbury. The laboratory performs antifungal

susceptibility testing for both topical and systemic agents.

The laboratory is also a Specialist Virology Centre,

http://www.clinicalvirology.org/network-directory/ providing a reference

facility for other microbiology laboratories in Kent.

Laboratory accommodation and equipment.

The microbiology laboratory is a purpose built building adjacent to the other

pathology disciplines.

The bacteriology laboratory is well equipped with a range of automated

analysers including the DxM Autoplak automated plate streaking system, Virtuo

blood culture system; Sedimax urine microscopy, a Bruker MALDI-TOF mass

spectroscopy, for microbial identification, including Candida spp. The laboratory

uses the Beckman Coulter SH2000 Microscan Walkaway broth dilution

instrument for most antibacterial susceptibility testing. This automation uses

EUCAST interpretation and the laboratory is follows EUCAST guidelines for the

disc susceptibilities that are undertaken.

The virology laboratory is provides reference services for some tests for the

region too. It provides specialist serology using platforms such as Abbot

Architect, Liaison XL, vidas and DS2. Molecular platforms include Abbott Alinity

m, Abbott M2000, Liaison MDX, BioFire, Panther, ABI & Fastrack PCR assays

Molecular Diagnostics has expanded over the recent years to cover a

comprehensive range of virology PCR tests as mentioned above and in Table 1.

There has been a surge in capacity which now includes an expanded range of

high throughput molecular extraction and PCR-platforms such as Maxwell

Promega, CFX, and PCR cyclers such as CFX96, ABI, Abbott M2000, Abbott

Alinity m. This places the laboratory in a good position to respond emergency

pandemic surges such as required for the current COVID-19 diagnostics

response.

Consequently, the laboratory is now part of the COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-

UK) Consortium. The option to provide sequencing services to COG-UK is now

driving a business case to obtain a Next Generation Sequencer (NGS) and start

an NGS sequencing service in East Kent.

The molecular diagnostics covers bacteriology too with PCRs for enteric

bacteria, C.diff on BD MAX™.

The laboratory participates in a comprehensive programme of external quality

assurance and internal QC schemes.

There is a departmental library with Internet access and staff also have full

access to the hospital education centre on each site. Grand rounds and other

departmental specific educational meetings take place on all sites. Video

conferencing is available across all sites. Continuing professional development

is supported by the department and study leave allocation and budget is

available.

The appointee will have an office on the WHH site. There are also consultant

microbiology offices in the laboratories at the other two main hospital sites for

use when in those locations.

Microbiology Staff

Consultant Microbiology, Virology and Infection Staff

Sub Specialty Interest

Dr Samuel Moses Whole time Virology & Infection; Molecular Lead & Head of Service (1 PA)

Dr Matthew Strutt Whole time GUM and mycobacterial disease

Dr Sri Reddy Whole time Neonatal ICU

Dr Stephen Glass Whole time Antimicrobial Stewardship (1 PA)

Vacancy Whole time potential Infection Control Doctor role (1 PA)

Training Grades

Felicity Ryan Senior Clinical Scientist, (HSST Programme)

Hannah Lowe Trainee Clinical Scientist, Scientist Training Programme (STP)

Support Staff

Laboratory Staff WTE

Head BMS 1

Chief BMS 1

Band 7 inc. Quality Lead 4.7

Band 6 11.23

Band 5 Trainee BMS 3

Band 4 Associate Practitioner 1

Band 3 Office supervisor/medical secretary 1

Band 3 Senior Assistant Healthcare Scientist 3.78

Band 2 Assistant Healthcare Scientist 18.9

Apprentice 1

Duties of the post

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.

Clinical practice and Liaison

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 departmental 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.

Laboratory

Contribute to the activities and development of Microbiology in line with user

needs and expectations and reflect the changing function of a Consultant

Microbiologist. This will include business planning, including the assessment

and introduction of new methods, and forward planning for staff and

equipment requirements.

Provide advice regarding appropriate specimens, validation and

interpretation of selected results; most results are validated by BMS staff.

Take part in internal and external national quality assurance programmes.

Contribute to maintaining ISO accreditation.

Be involved in policy and SOP preparation and approval.

Compliance with health and safety and security requirements and with agreed

SOPs and investigational algorithms.

Managerial duties as agreed with the Head of Service including managing

resources, preparation of business plans, and negotiating contracts in liaison

with the laboratory manager.

Infection Control

The post holder will be expected to be an active member of the infection

control team. There is a possibility for the appointee to take on the role of

Infection Control Doctor (ICD) depending on interest and assessment of

experience to undertake that role. The ICD role will entail working with the

DIPC Dr Paul Stevens; and the Deputy DIPC Val Harmon who is the

Nurse Consultant Head of Infection Control. There is a team of 9 nurses

proving ward cover with clinical support workers on each site. In addition,

the IPC team has 2 Data Support officers and a secretary.

The appointee will be expected to participate in the Trust’s infection

control programme including attending team meetings. They will take

part in outbreak investigation and control, and RCAs and post infection

reviews.

Antimicrobial Stewardship

To participate in the Trust’s antimicrobial stewardship programme and comply

with Trust policies. The committee reports to the Infection Control Committee

and the Drugs and Therapeutics Committee

The appointee will be a member of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee

and will be involved in specific programs such as guidelines or audits within

areas of antibiotic management as directed by the current Antimicrobial

Stewardship Lead. They will participate in clinical antimicrobial stewardship ward

rounds and relevant teaching and training.

Research

Members of the department conduct collaborative research with the University of

Kent, University of Greenwich and Medway School of Pharmacy. The post

holder will be encouraged to pursue research interests and will be able to utilise

existing links and connections with these institutions.

Additional Duties

Provision of cover for consultant colleagues’ period of leave, the on-call and

duty desk rotas

Responsibilities for carrying out teaching, training and accreditation duties as

required to junior doctors, nurses, BMS and other laboratory and appropriate

Trust staff both locally and nationally.

Participation in audit in infection control, antibiotic management and

clinical pathways to enable service improvement. Kent wide audits, to

encourage standardisation and improve quality are actively

encouraged.

Participation in a recognised scheme of Continuing Professional Development

that includes research and service development. Funding and study leave will

be available for approved purposes.

Such additional duties as may be required from time to time either by the Head

of Service or Clinical Director after appropriate consultation

ON CALL ARRANGEMENTS

Currently the on-call commitment for all 3 acute hospitals within the Trust is 1 in 5, category

A. It is currently remunerated at one PA following a diary card exercise.

The consultant microbiologists are provided with a trust laptop and iPad or iPhone and are

able access all laboratory and hospital IT systems remotely. No site visits are routinely

expected during the evenings, weekend or Bank Holidays.

Patient Safety, Clinical Governance, Education and Training

The Trust is fully committed to improving patient safety and experience. Consultants are expected to comply with GMC guidance and all Clinical Risk Management processes. They must audit their own clinical outcomes, report clinical incidents, alert the trust to risk, and participate in annual appraisal and work to foster good team relationships. It is expected that the appointee will plan a programme of personal development and continuing medical education and through the appraisal process ensure that adequate training is undertaken both to maintain their skills, knowledge and expertise and to ensure revalidation. There is extensive local support and the Trust provides reasonable costs for formal study leave.

An annual review of the job plan will take place between the Clinical Director/Clinical Lead and the Consultant in accordance with the arrangements in the new contract. This will include discussions regarding the needs of the service, with agreement of objectives for clinical standards, goals and workload. Each of the three main hospital sites has a well-equipped multi-disciplinary Education Centre, including internet facilities and a library. Each runs full programmes of educational meetings. The Trust is designated as an Associate University Provider NHS Trust for undergraduate education. Doctors in Training are recruited to the Trust from London medical schools on matching schemes. All Consultants have responsibilities for teaching doctors, students and non-medical healthcare professionals, and should ensure they use the time allowed in their working week for duties of teaching and supervision. New Consultants are required to enrol on the Deanery Certificate of Teaching programme within the first 12 months of appointment. All

Consultants should include some element of educational development within their personal development plan, using at least one half day per year of their external study leave to this end.

Research and Innovation

The Trust wishes to “make a difference to the experience and outcomes of health care to the people of Kent, the NHS and internationally through Research, Enquiry and Innovation" and we have an ambitious strategy to deliver this vision from 2016 to 2020. You can read more about our approach to research on our website. We are one of the most research-active acute Trusts in the Kent, Surrey and Sussex region, with over 120 NIHR CRN Portfolio studies open to recruitment across more than 20 specialty areas, with at least 15 new industry funded/sponsored studies opening each year. All newly appointed Consultants are encouraged to take on the role of Principal Investigator and considerable training and support is available.

Trust clinicians are also actively supported in developing their own research ideas and participate in local, regional & international academic collaborations. We have been awarded research funding (£100k to £2m) by NIHR (RfPB and HTA), MRC, Pfizer and other major funding bodies in recent years. The Trust also has internal funding schemes to assist researchers, including those without previous experience, to gain pump-priming monies for individual projects, or to support individual sessional research time. We have a strategic alliance with University of Kent’s KentHealth, and have active collaborations between the Trust and all our local universities (UoK, Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) and Medway School of Pharmacy) as well as many other UK and international partners. A number of staff hold joint University-Trust appointments, including Centre for Health Services Studies at UoK, and the England Centre for Practice Development at CCCU with its expertise in sustainable transformation and development.

Infection Control

In accordance with the Health Act (2006) all staff are expected to comply with National and local Infection Control policies and procedures, and any other related infection prevention policies or procedures. In addition, all staff whose normal duties are directly or indirectly concerned with patient care should ensure they have received annual mandatory training (including hand hygiene). It is expected that all Consultants will lead by example in this area which receives maximum attention.

Summary Terms and Conditions of Appointment

The post will be appointed to under the Terms and Conditions of Service for Hospital Medical and Dental Staff as amended from time to time. The post-holder is required to be fully registered with the General Medical Council and on the Specialist Register or eligible for inclusion on the Specialist Register within six months of the date of interview. The appointee will be required to reside not more than 30 minutes away from their main base, unless specific approval is given by the Chief Executive and Medical Director. The post-holder's private residence shall be maintained in contact with the public telephone service. The passing of a medical examination is a condition of employment. Every Consultant must adhere to the Trust policies and procedures including documentation of all activity both in outpatients and theatre. Any Consultant, who for personal reasons is unable to work full-time will be eligible to be considered for this post; if such a person is appointed modification of the job content will be discussed on a personal basis in consultation with the Clinical Medical Director.

Salary

The Consultant salary scale is currently £79,860 - £107,668 per annum (pro rata where applicable).

Annual leave

The annual leave entitlement is six weeks and two days and applications are subject to approval by the Clinical Director. A minimum of eight weeks’ notice of leave arrangements is

requested so that adequate cover arrangements can be made. Annual leave entitlements increased for consultants with seven or more years of completed service with effect from 1 April 2005 by an additional 2 days.

Study leave Study leave is available according to local agreements. All clinical staff are required to give eight weeks’ notice.

Removal Expenses

Where a practitioner intends to claim reimbursement of removal or associated expenses, it is important that he/she first obtains a copy of the Trust's policy on removal expenses and should discuss the proposals with the Personnel department prior to taking up duty.

Visiting Arrangements

Further details and information may be obtained by contacting:

Dr Samuel Moses, Head of Service for Microbiology (Please contact via email:

samuel.moses@nhs.net or mobile: 07917077506).

Dr Edmund Lamb, Clinical Director of Pathology (Please contact via email: elamb@nhs.net or 01227 864112)

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be expected to attend a site visit as part of the selection process. Details on how this can be arranged will be sent to you with your invitation to interview.

Person Specification

Criteria Group Essential Desirable Measurement/ Testing method

Experience

The applicant is expected to have experience of working as a clinical microbiologist in an NHS Trust at registrar level or above.

Experience / interest in infection control doctor role in hospitals. Experience in managing critically ill patients in ITU/NICU environments. Demonstrated aptitude and interest in public health and health protection microbiology. Public Health commitment

Application Form

Skills

Full GMC Registration CCST Specialist Registration

or will obtain within 6 months of interview date in Medical Microbiology, Medical Virology or Infectious Disease

Further qualification such as Postgraduate thesis (MD, PhD or equivalent), MSc, DipHIC MRCP or show evidence of equivalent qualification

Application Form and evidence bought to interview

Values and Commitments – People feel cared for as individuals

Welcoming and polite

Attentive and helpful

Respect others’ time

Speak up on behalf of those who can’t

Interview

Values and Commitments – People feel safe, reassured and involved

Consistently safe

Vigilant about safety

Reassuringly professional

Listen and clearly communicate

Application Form Interview

Values and Commitments –

Respect people and their dignity

Work as a team

People feel teamwork, mutual trust and respect sit at the heart of everything we do

Take responsibility

Be a leader

Values and Commitments – People feel confident we are making a difference

Delivers the best outcomes

Appreciate good work

Always improving our selves/services

Application Form Interview

Other Most roles require an on-call commitment and travel across sites. Candidates must be able to demonstrate the ability to travel effectively between sites

Upholds and models the Trust values

Application Form and evidence bought to interview

Additional Terms and Conditions Summary

Confidentiality The Post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with Trust Policy.

Data Protection

The postholder, for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998, consents to the processing of all or any personal data including sensitive personal data as defined under the Data Protection Act 1998 (in manual, electronic or any other form) relevant to their employment, by the Trust and/or any public body or any other third party as nominated by the Trust for the purposes of audit and bound by a duty of confidentiality.

Risk Management

The post holder will ensure compliance with the Trust’s risk management policies and procedures. These describe the Trust’s commitment to risk management, the recognition that our aim is to protect patients, staff and visitors from harm, and stress that all staff have a responsibility to minimise risk.

Infection Control

In accordance with the Health Act (2006) all staff are expected to comply with National and local Infection Control policies and procedures and any other related infection prevention policies or procedures. In addition all staff who‘s normal duties are directly or indirectly concerned with patient care should ensure they have received annual mandatory training (including hand hygiene).

Health and Wellbeing

The Trust is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of staff by supporting them to make healthy choices and lead healthy lives. Everyone employed by the Trust has a responsibility for promoting and participating in the staff health and well-being planned programmes, promotions and activities.

Equal Opportunities

The post holder will treat all colleagues, service users and members of the public with respect and dignity regardless of their gender, age, race, colour, religious beliefs, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, social background, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, real or suspected HIV/Aids status, criminal background and Trade Union status. The Trust has Policy for Equality and it is the responsibility of all staff to ensure that this is implemented.

Safeguarding Children

Everyone employed by the Trust regardless of the work they do has a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. When children and/or their carers use our services it is essential that all concerns for the safety and welfare of children and young people are both recognised and acted on appropriately. You have a responsibility to ensure you are familiar with and follow the Safeguarding Children procedures and the Trust’s supplementary Safeguarding Children Policy which is accessed electronically on the Trust's Intranet site. You have a responsibility to support appropriate investigations either internally or externally. To ensure you are equipped to carry out your duties effectively, you must also attend Safeguarding Children training and updates at the competency level appropriate to the work you do and in accordance with the Trust's Safeguarding Children

Strategy.

Safeguarding Adults

Everyone employed by the Trust regardless of the work they do has a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable adults. When patients and/or their carers use our services it is essential that all protection concerns are both recognised and acted on appropriately. You have a responsibility to ensure you are familiar with and follow Trust policies in relation to safeguarding vulnerable adults. You have a responsibility to support appropriate investigations either internally or externally. To ensure you are equipped to carry out your duties effectively, you must also attend vulnerable adult protection training and updates at the competency level appropriate to the work you do and in accordance with the Trust's vulnerable adult protection training guidance

Health and Safety

All staff must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them by the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) to ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe condition for employees, patients and visitors.

Professional and NHS Codes of Conduct

You are required to act at all times in accordance with the relevant professional Codes of Conduct and Accountability (including, where applicable, those for Board Members). In addition, all management staff must comply with the ‘Code of Conduct for NHS Managers’ and ‘Standards of Business Conduct for NHS staff’.

Financial Management

and Control of Resources

All staff are responsible for the security and the property of the Trust, avoiding loss or damage, and being economical and efficient in the use of resources. Staff are required to act in accordance with the rules and regulations as described in the Trust’s ‘Policy Relating to the Financial Management and Control of Resources’.

Mandatory Training

All staff are required to attend mandatory training as designated by the Trust.

No Smoking

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust has a no smoking policy. Staff are not permitted to smoke within or on Trust premises

Please note that these terms and conditions are subject to change and may differ from your proposed contract should you be successful in your application.

PROPOSED JOB PLAN

Please see the job plan below. The plan is open to negotiation following a period of induction and thereafter will be reviewed on annual basis within the job planning cycle. The 10 PAs contract will include both direct clinical care (DCC) and supporting activity (SPA). At present an additional PA is allocated for 1 in 5 on call provision. Extra PAs may be available to applicants for personal or professional reasons to work more than 40 hours per week. Job Plan Core Activities

The expectation is that clinical microbiologists will be physically present 9.00 - 5.00 at the Trust’s principal three hospital sites. Clinical or managerial responsibilities may require attendance outside of these hours. This is achieved by each microbiologist providing clinical cover for each of the three main hospital sites i.e. WHH QEQM and K&C, site on a monthly rota, although there is flexibility in this to take into account other commitments which may require presence on a specific site. Direct clinical care activities shown as taking place at WHH in the job plan will also occur at QEQM and K&C depending on the rota. The rota is complex and frequent and regular commitments such as duty desk or ward rounds do not occur on fixed days. With this in mind the job plan is presented in an annualised format. Core activities common to all microbiologists are described below, there will opportunities to develop specialised areas of interest, which will be encouraged and supported. DIRECT CLINICAL CARE - NO SPECIFIED DAY Ward Round:

Ward Round: 2hrs, Num/Yr - 168 Undertake ITU ward round, blood culture ward round and antimicrobial stewardship ward rounds. Follow-up of complex infection cases and identified telephone referrals by other site consultants on duty desk rota and direct referrals from other clinicians. General teaching and training and clinical supervision of junior doctors and antimicrobial pharmacists. On any of main 3 sites depending on rota. Clinical Diagnostic Work

Preparation for T-con: 30 min, Num/yr - 210

Checking patient results/observations/images on APEX, Patient Centre, PACs and VitalPac. Reviewing progress notes. Microbiologists covering the three hospital sites dial into this TCon on a daily basis. This requires preparation. Clinical Management

Duty Desk: Hours – 8, Num/Yr - 42 Telephone Duty Desk- two four hour sessions per week plus internal cover. Dealing with telephone queries from GPs, Community Nurse Practitioners, Hospital Doctors, Pharmacists, Public Health England and Hospital at Home and other Nurses. Depending on the Microbiologist Hospital site rota this may take place at the WHH, QEQM or K&C hospital. Public Health Duties

Infection control etc: Hours – 1, Num/Yr - 42 Outbreak Investigation Meeting- TB , Legionella, Group A strep cluster, NICU Pseudomonas/MRSA bacteraemia, C.diff and PHE related Outbreak meetings requiring consultant medical microbiologist input. Depending on the Microbiologist Hospital site rota this may take place at the WHH, QEQM or K&C hospital. Administrative work directly related to clinical care

Daily teleconference: 30 min, Num/yr - 210 Daily teleconference between all consultant microbiologists, present at the three main hospital sites, antimicrobial pharmacists and lab staff to discuss all significant positive results and antimicrobial stewardship issues. Provides peer review of practice. Authorisation etc: 45 mins, Num/Yr -168 Laboratory authorisation of Results. Follow up results from Reference Lab. Dealing with discrepant results and requesting additional tests. Dealing with queries from Laboratory staff. Documentation of ward round progress notes on PAS system. Hand over: 30mins Num/yr - 82 Handover of cases to on call weekend microbiologist for or site specific microbiologist for follow up and electronic documentation of hand over. Guidelines etc.: Hours – 1, Num/Yr - 42 Guideline or Policy review or development- reviewing antimicrobial guidelines and review and commenting on new Lab SOPs

Correspondence etc.: Hours – 1, Num/Yr - 42 Respond to letters from GPs, consultant colleagues regarding management of infections. Deal with complaints, legal team requests for comments and incident reporting including Datix reports. ASG: Hours – 2, Num/Yr - 12 Attending monthly Antimicrobial Stewardship Group meeting at WHH. Discuss and ratify local antimicrobial guidelines. Review new national and international guidelines. Review audit data and clinical incidents. Assess new antimicrobials, antifungals and antivirals for inclusion on formulary. Discuss clinical management of difficult and unusual cases. Respond to queries from EKHUFT and CCG clinicians. MDMs

HOM meetings: Hours – 1, Num/Yr - 10 WHH - Attending WHH Hospital at Home Meetings on Wednesday afternoon at 2pm K&C - Attending K&C Hospital at Home Meetings on Friday afternoon at 2pm NICU: Hours – 1, Num/Yr – 5 Attending weekly Friday NICU microbiology and infection control liaison meeting at WHH Haemato-oncology: Hours – 1, Num/Yr - 10 Attending weekly Thursday afternoon Haemato-oncology MDM at K&C Neuro: Hours – 1, Num/Yr - 10 Attending weekly Tuesday afternoon neurology MDM at K&C SUPPORTING PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES Personal Development

A total of 2 Pas is available. Core activities common to all microbiologists are described below. Additional SPA activity wil l be tailored to individual interests and development needs identified at appraisal. Hours – 4, Num/Yr - 42 Personal Development: CPD, job planning, appraisal and appraisal preparation, revalidation, statutory, mandatory and trust required training. Audit Hours – 1, Num/Yr - 42 Plan audits. Undertake data collection and/or data analysis. Support F2 doctors with audits Local clinical governance

RCAs/PIRs: Hours – 1, Num/Yr - 13 Attending average of 11 C. difficile case RCA per consultant and 1 or 2 MRSA bacteraemia PIR. Service development meeting

Consultant forum: Hours – 2, Num/Yr - 4 Attending microbiologists’ consultant forum. Discussion and development of clinical pathways. Laboratory issues and service development including introduction of new technologies. Learning from incidents.