Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Consultant Cellular Pathology
The closing date is 05 October 2025
Applicants are invited to apply for a Consultant position in Cellular Pathology at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
This is a replacement post, offering 10 programmed activities. The post completes a team of seven consultant histopathologists. The post is full time, and applicants who, for personal reasons, are unable to work full time are also eligible to apply. If such a person is appointed, modification of the job content will be discussed on a personal basis with the Trust, in consultation with consultant colleagues.
The post holder will be contracted to provide histopathology and non-gynaecological cytology services at Milton Keynes Hospital Foundation Trust, alongside colleagues in Cellular Pathology. There will be opportunities for teaching, and this will include Cellular pathology Specialist Trainees from the Oxford rotation and Buckingham University Medical Students.
Coroner's autopsies at Milton Keynes are arranged by an external provider. There may be an opportunity to join the Coroner's autopsy rota, subject to discussion, but this is not an essential requirement.
Doctors considering an application are encouraged to visit the hospital and to meet with potential clinical colleagues.
Main duties of the job
This is a replacement post and completes a team of eight Consultant Cellular Pathologists. The post is full time, and applicants who, for personal reasons, are unable to work full time are also eligible to apply. If such a person is appointed, modification of the job content will be discussed on a personal basis with the Trust, in consultation with consultant colleagues.
Candidates must hold full and specialist registration with the General Medical Council with a licence to practise or be eligible for registration within six months of interview. The appointee must also hold Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists or show evidence of equivalent.
Applicants that are UK trained must also be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview.
Applicants that are non-UK trained will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT.
About us
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
* Free on-site parking
* Free tea and coffee
* Great flexible working opportunities
* Discounted gym membership
* Lease car scheme
* Generous annual leave and pension scheme
* Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job responsibilities
The job plan (10 P.A. on appointment) will consist of a split of DCC and SPA (up to 2.5 SPA on appointment). The SPA component is made up of 1 P.A. of core activities (appraisal, revalidation, CME, routine departmental meetings etc.) and non-core activities. Non-core activities are discussed and agreed within the Trust (via an agreed tariff and, on occasion, through a personal agreement). Non-core SPA may reflect activities such as educational supervision, research, leadership and quality improvement. Following appointment, non-core SPA may be used to participate in our consultant development programme, or in acquiring or consolidating specific skills and expertise. Non-core SPA is only available if specific activities and objectives are mutually agreed in job planning and these outputs are evaluated at annual job plan review.
Through its inclusive and comprehensive job planning process, the trust commits to providing equitable working conditions to medical colleagues across specialties and their sub-specialties. Delivery of job plans, whilst owned by consultants and their Clinical Service Unit Leads, is overseen by the Divisional Director and subject to peer challenge at divisional level, thus enabling a further layer objectivity to our commitment in this regard.
Allocation of time in programmed activities (PAs)
The allocation of time between various duties of the post (including SPA) will be open to adjustment in consultation with the Head of Department, CSU Lead and the Trust, but initially will be as follows. A further allocation of up to 2.5 SPA is available for specific roles with defined objectives, these can be taken on in agreement with other colleagues and clinical director. The job plans will be reviewed, initially at three months and then on an annual basis.
DCC 7.5 PAs
SPA 2.5 PAs
This includes cut-up (gross examination and block selection of Consultant cut up cases), diagnostic reporting, MDT meetings (preparation and attendance), internal peer case reviews, external referrals, administration (relating to case reports), and NHS autopsies. These duties will be undertaken on a shared rota basis with colleagues.
This includes core SPA of 1 for job planning, appraisal, departmental meetings, statutory and mandatory training. Other agreed SPA roles may be undertaken in agreement with the CSU lead, dependent on departmental and Trust needs.
Person Specification
Qualifications / Registration
* FRCPath or equivalent
* Full and specialist registration (and a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC) (or eligible for registration within six months of interview)
* UK trained applicants must also be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview
* Non-UK trained applicants will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
Experience/Training
* Broad experience in all aspects of Cellular Pathology to provide effective and safe management of outpatients, elective and emergency patients
* Significant postgraduate experience required, including relevant higher medical training as a Specialist Trainee or Senior Registrar. This period may be in a post of equivalent responsibility and training potential
* Sufficient broad experience in histopathology and cytopathology
* Experience in reporting fine needle aspirates
* Special experience in surgical pathology and cytopathology excluding cervical cytology
* Sufficient experience in autopsy
Knowledge
* Appropriate level of clinical knowledge
* Knowledge and application of up-to-date evidence-based practice
* Breadth of experience within and outside specialty
Clinical Skills
* Experience in contributing to the multidisciplinary management of patients
* Understanding of clinical risk management
Communication Skills and Teaching
* Good written and verbal communication skills
* Ability to communicate with patients, colleagues and staff at all levels
* Proven background in organizing and delivering undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research with evidence of training for the role is highly desirable
* Teaching experience, teaching medical students and supervising specialty trainees
* Ability to appraise both trainees and other staff
* A qualification in Medical education, such as a Diploma
* Ability to motivate and develop training of medical and non-medical staff
* Interest in medical management
Other requirements
* Ability to work independently as well as part of the Pathology Division
* Balance individual requirements against those of the Directorate and the Trust as a whole
* Ability to gain the trust and confidence of colleagues and patients
* Ability and desire to take part in clinical directorate management
* IT and computer skills
Health
* Be in good health. Demonstration of immunisation against Hepatitis B, plus proof of Hepatitis B antigen negative status
Research and Audit
* Able to appraise research
* Thorough understanding of the principles of audit
* Publications in peer reviewed journals in the field of cellular pathology
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
£109,725 to £145,478 a year, per annum pro rata
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