Job Description

A Virologist is a scientist who studies viruses. They are responsible for diagnosing infections, giving expert advice to hospital wards and veterinarians and also will advise GPs on how to prescribe a antiviral drug. They also work in public health and health protection and will advise on immunisation and vaccine use. If there was ever an outbreak on a ward virologists will work with the hospital infections control team and advise the staff with how to limit further infection.

Entry Requirements

You will need to:

• undergraduate training at medical school
• the UK Foundation Training Programme or equivalent
• Core Medical Training (CMT) or Acute Care Common Stem (ACCS) training
• specialty training in infections and medical virology.

It will take about 4 years to train full time to be a virologist as you will spend two years in Combined Infection Training, and two years of higher specialty training in virology.

Career Path and Progression

Once you are fully qualified and have experience you could work towards a senior or management position.

Required Skills

• good communication skills
• the ability to work well in a team
• a calm, confident and mature approach
• good customer care abilities
• confident with technology
• analytical mind 
• calm under pressure

Salary Range

£39,110 to £68,541