Job overview

University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust and University of Southampton partnership is recognised as a centre of excellence in clinical care and clinical research, securing research funding in excess of £30m per annum. There is a large portfolio of infectious disease research studies including several randomised controlled trials evaluating novel point-of-care tests for infection. 

The infectious disease department provides inpatient and outpatient care for adult patients with severe and complex infection. The inpatient service is responsible for the care of around 20 inpatients at any one time with a wide variety of infections, including patients with HIV infection, tuberculosis and imported infection. In addition, there is a comprehensive consultation service for patients managed under other specialities, an outpatient parenteral antibiotic service and an in-reach service to the acute medical and ambulatory care units.

Main duties of the job

YOUR MAIN DUTIES

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

Working for our organisation

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

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 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

WHAT YOU’LL DO

There are 6 Infectious Diseases consultants in the department, including the Professor of Infectious Diseases, and between 4 and 6 speciality registrars training in infectious disease combined with either microbiology or general internal medicine. There are two Infectious Diseases SHOs supporting the inpatient service and in addition there are dedicated antimicrobial pharmacists and other allied health professionals. There are weekly multidisciplinary team meetings where all inpatient cases are discussed in addition to weekly radiology meetings and quarterly histology meetings and mortality and morbidity meetings. In addition, there are regular educational meetings including weekly journal club and infectious diseases tutorials.

This is a split clinical and research post (50:50). For the research component the post holder will provides support and medical cover to a portfolio of clinical Infectious Diseases research studies currently taking place at UHS including trials of novel point-of-care diagnostics for infection. The post will also provide training in the design, conduct and reporting of clinical trials and is suitable for those aiming for both a clinical academic or a primarily clinical career. For the clinical component the posts holder will be provide SHO level support to the Infectious Diseases inpatient service, at UHS and be responsible for the day-to-day review and management of the inpatients, under the supervision of the registrars and consultants. The posts also aim to develop and improve links between hospital research staff and clinical staff in the clinical areas such as acute medical unit and emergency department.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking to appoint a clinical research fellow (SHO level) to work in the Infectious Diseases department. This post provides an unrivalled opportunity for clinical and research training and experience in this speciality. The post is initially for 12 months, with a possibility for extension.

This post requires a motivated and dynamic person, with good team-working and problem-solving skills, who would like to gain clinical experience in clinical Infectious Diseases whilst gaining research skills and experience. It is suitable for candidates interested in a clinical or academic career in infectious diseases. There will be the opportunity to develop a research interest and to go on to apply for a higher research degree (MD or PhD) if desired.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Appointment will be made under local contractual terms and conditions of service for Trust appointed (non-training fellow doctors and dentists).

Successful candidates will have an educational framework equivalent to training grade doctors, and there will be a named educational supervisor assigned at the start of the post. The opportunity for Continued Professional Development (CPD) is highly supported and encouraged by the Trust, with options available to take study leave. All licensed doctors must meet the GMC requirements for revalidation and there will be an annual appraisal to support this process.

Grades for Trust appointed (non-training) fellows will be paid a basic salary at a nodal pay point linked to the grade, at the rate set out in the National Medical and Dental pay circular. Basic salary detailed below plus any additional remuneration (as applicable) for hours set out in the doctors work schedule (e.g. additional hours, weekend allowance, and any hours which attract enhanced pay)

Basic Salary -  MT03        £43,923    

Travelling expenses will not be paid for attending interview

Please note that GMC registration (with a licence to practice) and right to work in the UK are essential for this role.  Successful applicants will already have GMC registration or will be able to demonstrate they are eligible.  Applicants requiring Tier 2 sponsorship should ensure they meet the Home Office application criteria prior to submitting an application. 

Interviews will be held on Tuesday, 11 June 2024

Job Reference: MT1155 - This vacancy closes on or before: 29^th April 2024

Person specification

Qualifications and training

Essential criteria

• GMC registration
• MBBS or equivalent
• MRCP Part 1 or equivalent

Desirable criteria

• BSc (or other intercalated degree) other degrees/qualifications
• Full MRCP or equivalent
• Undergraduate awards
• PhD or MD

Previous or relevant experience

Essential criteria

• Successful completion of foundation year programme or equivalent
• Minimum of 1 year post registration in General/Acute Medicine, of which 12 months must involve admission of acute emergencies

Desirable criteria

• Successful completion of Internal Medical Training or Acute Care Common Stem training or equivalent
• Additional experience in the speciality of Infectious Diseases
• Research experience
• Publications in scientific journals
• Presentation at scientific meetings

Aptitudes and skills

Essential criteria

• Proven ability to manage acute medical emergencies
• Proven ability to prioritise tasks
• Experience of managing patients with complex infection
• Proven competence in venous and arterial sampling
• Proven competence in cannulation
• Proven competence in lumbar puncture
• Ability to self-direct own learning and time
• Ability to work in a team
• Good communication and organisational skills

Desirable criteria

• Good insight into own competency
• Other procedural competence appropriate for experience level
• Commitment to Infectious Diseases

Living the Trust values

Essential criteria

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

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.