Jeremiah Igunma

I am a clinical microbiologist with over 12 years of experience in microbiology practice, including more than five years as a consultant. I have a solid foundation in medical microbiology, with special interest in clinical governance, antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), and infection control.

As a consultant in a large, busy teaching hospital with over 900 beds, with specialties including geriatric, orthopaedics, haematology, cardiothoracic surgery, multiple ICUs, etc. I have worked under pressure and constantly interact with various teams in the course of my duties. The core of my work is routinely translating microbiological data into frontline clinical decisions, collaborating tightly with multidisciplinary teams in managing complex infections (including those due to multidrug-resistant organisms and associated with complex infection control issues).

Some of the key contributions reflecting my impact-driven approach over the years include:

• MRSA/CRE culture surveillance among open heart cardiac surgery patients: I designed these pre-op screening protocols, following a high mortality rate associated with the first phase of the surgery
• Assessment of microbiological cleanliness and hygiene practices in the ambulances and vehicles used for emergency obstetric and newborn transport in Nigeria, a project sponsored and monitored by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
• Antimicrobial use audit: we conducted point prevalence audits plus tailored interventions boosting ‘access’ category antibiotic utilization from 25% to 47% over two years (hospital-wide). This impact aligned with WHO AWaRe targets to lower resistance pressures.

I have over 30 publications in local and international peer-reviewed journals, plus advising clinicians on tricky cases and audits, enhancing evidence-based practice. I deeply value mentorship and have proactively shown leadership in roles like

• AMS Team Lead: Coordinating interventions, influencing prescribing culture.
• Residency Training Coordinator: Shaping tomorrow’s microbiologists and building confidence in them for early independent decision making.
• Medical Association Roles (e.g., Treasurer and Secretary, Medical and Dental Consultant Association Nigeria, University of Benin Teaching Hospital chapter): My effectiveness and acceptability for these elected positions demonstrate my quality of accountability, honesty, and excellent interpersonal relationship skills. I build strong, durable relationships even in challenging environments (e.g., resolving tensions between pathologists and biomedical scientists, a situation that was putting a great strain on quality laboratory outputs). I am meticulous about following/implementing protocols; however, I can step into unassigned roles when needed for team success. My communication skills are strong (IELTS 7.5, May 2025), which demonstrate my excellent oral and written communication skills

WHY Blackpool? I am particularly drawn to this role at the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust because of the Trust’s reputation as a leading centre of clinical excellence, renowned for innovative patient care, advanced medical research, and a collaborative multi-specialty environment that fosters unhindered professional development. I am enthusiastic to contribute substantively to the ALWAYS EVENTS framework, including the core values of ‘caring, safe and respectful.

As a Commonwealth Fellow and currently supernumerary specialty doctor at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, I have gained valuable experience in NHS practices, including clinical audits, MDT meetings, and the daily routines of a typical microbiology team in the NHS. I hold a spousal visa, as my wife is an NHS mental health nurse at East London Foundation Trust. I have a full GMC registration.

Given all the above. I am genuinely excited to explore how I can contribute to the Blackpool’ world-class microbiology, innovative patient care, and seamless integration into your collaborative and excellence-driven team. I look forward to an opportunity to discuss my application further.

Supernumerary specialty doctor in Clinical Microbiology 04/02/2026- till present

Department of Microbiology, Nortwick Park Hospital,

London North-West University Healthcare NHS Trust. UK

Responsibilities

• Results authentication
• Attending to clinical referrers both online and over the phone
• Participation in the laboratory round
• MDT meetings

Consultant Clinical Microbiologist & Antimicrobial Stewardship Lead: 09/ 2019 – Present

University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Diagnostic Services: Providing expert laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases, ensuring accurate and timely results to guide patient care and bridging the gap between microbiological diagnostics and frontline clinical decision-making.
• Infection Control: Collaborating with other professionals and leading infection control teams to identify, investigate, and prevent hospital-acquired infections, promoting a safe environment for patients and staff.
• Antimicrobial Stewardship: Leading initiatives to promote rational antimicrobial use, developed guidelines, and monitored antimicrobial consumption and resistance patterns to combat antimicrobial resistance.
• Clinical Consultation: Provision of expert advice to clinicians on diagnosis, treatment, and co-management of infectious diseases. Supporting informed decision-making and optimal patient care

Education and Research

• Conducting research, teaching, and training of healthcare professionals, students, and residents in microbiology and infectious diseases, advancing knowledge and best practices in the field. Reviewer for several peer review journals and member of the Hospital's ethical review board.
• Supervision of postgraduate dissertations, including fellowship and MSc research projects; I have supervised three post graduate student including one MSc student and two postgraduate medical doctors who have successfully passed their fellowships

Laboratory and Administrative Responsibilities

• Laboratory Management: Overseeing laboratory operations, ensuring quality control, safety protocols, and efficient workflow to deliver high-quality diagnostic services.
• Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation: Monitoring and investigating outbreaks of infectious diseases, implementing control measures to prevent further transmission and protect public health.
• Policy Development: Developing and implementing policies and guidelines for microbiology laboratory practices, infection control, and antimicrobial use, driving best practices and improving patient outcomes.
• Clinical audit and quality management system implementation for optimal clinical governance.

Adjunct Lecturer 07/2024 – Present

University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

Responsibilities

• Teaching and lecturing: Delivering lectures, tutorials, and practical sessions to undergraduate and postgraduate students on various topics in medical microbiology.
• Mentorship: Guiding and mentoring students, residents, and junior staff in their academic and professional development.

Lecturer 1 and Examination coordinator. 01/2023 –02/2026

PAMO University of Medical Sciences. Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Responsibilities

• Teaching and lecturing: Delivering lectures, tutorials, and practical sessions to undergraduate and postgraduate students on various topics in medical microbiology.
• Curriculum development: Contributing to the development and review of curricula for microbiology and infection-related courses.
• Mentorship: Guiding and mentoring students, residents, and junior staff in their academic and professional development.
• Research and publication: Conducting research, publishing papers, and presenting findings in microbiology and infection-related fields.
• Laboratory management: Overseeing laboratory operations, quality control, and safety protocols.
• Assessment and evaluation: Developing and administering assessments, evaluating student performance, and providing feedback.

Laboratory/Clinical attachment 02/02/2020 – 29/02/2020

Department of Microbiology, Nortwick Park Hospital,

London North-West University Healthcare NHS Trust. UK

Responsibilities

• Commonwealth fellow, all roles were under supervisions
• Clinical consultation review
• Participation in the laboratory round
• MDT meetings

Residency training in medical microbiology and infection , 01/ 2012 – 08/ 2019

University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt,

Rivers State, Nigeria.

Responsibilities

• Participating in clinical rotations, assessing patients, and managing infectious diseases under supervision.
• Working in the microbiology laboratory, processing samples, interpreting results, and reporting findings.
• Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, such as microscopy, cultures, serology and molecular studies.
• Ward Rounds: Participating in ward rounds, providing clinical advice, and guiding antibiotic therapy
• MDR TB sample reception and analysis using GenXpert for MTB/RIF assay
• Participating in infection control activities, such as surveillance, outbreak investigation, and implementation of infection control measures.
• Participating in research projects, audits, and quality improvement initiatives related to microbiology and infectious diseases.
• Attending lectures, workshops, seminars and conferences to stay up to date with advances in microbiology and infectious diseases.
• Working with multidisciplinary teams, including clinicians, laboratory staff, and infection control teams, to provide optimal patient care.
• Providing care to patients with infectious diseases, including clinical consultation at the HIV, TB and STI clinics under the supervision of senior clinicians.
• Maintaining accurate and detailed records of patient care, laboratory results, and research activities.
• Teaching medical students, junior doctors, and other healthcare professionals
• Continuously developing knowledge, skills, and competencies in microbiology and infectious diseases.

Medical Officer, Dambatta General Hospital, Dambatta, Kano State

12/2010 – 01/2012. All roles and responsibilities were under the supervision of the consultant General family physician

• Clinical Care: Providing medical care to patients, assessing, diagnosing, and treating various health conditions.
• Patient Management: Managing patient care pathways, referring patients to specialists, and coordinating care with other healthcare professionals.
• Communication: Communicating effectively with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
• Decision-Making: Making informed decisions about patient care, often in complex or time-sensitive situations.
• Collaboration: Working with multidisciplinary teams, including nurses, specialists, and allied health professionals.
• Health Promotion: Promoting health and preventing illness, providing advice on healthy lifestyles, and screening programs.
• Administrative Tasks: Managing records, prescribing, and completing paperwork.
• Professional Development: Keeping up-to-date with medical knowledge, guidelines, and best practices.

PhD, Infectious Diseases (ongoing) 09/ 2023 till date

University Of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Fellowship in Medical Microbiology 09/2019

National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria

MSc in Public Health Microbiology 09/2018

University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) 2008

University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

________________________________________