Job overview
This replacement post is an opportunity to join an expanding, dynamic cellular pathology service and develop your specialist diagnostic and research interests with the enthusiastic support of clinical colleagues.
The successful candidate will join a team of 20 consultants working in purpose-built laboratory facilities in modern hospitals, with a digital service at an advanced stage of development.
The department provides a cellular pathology service to MTW as well as Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust. Our varied workforce includes two consultant biomedical scientists (reporting GI and gynaecological pathology), a molecular pathology clinical scientist, two cut-up practitioners and one trainee cut-up practitioner.
You’ll have the opportunity to report, participate in and develop molecular testing in various specialities with a dedicated molecular team.
Applicants must be on the specialist register for Cellular Pathology or be within six months of CCT at the date of interview.
Main duties of the job
We are:
1. The commissioned Cellular Pathology Genomic Centre for Kent & Medway provides a centralised, advanced diagnostic and predictive molecular testing service.
2. Large breast and GI HER-2 testing service (approx. 3000 pa) with FISH provided on-site by senior scientists using a new digital solution for fluorescent scanning and reporting (Bioview).
3. Central provider for PD-L1 testing across a number of specialities.
4. The host for RCPath and UKAS-accredited South East General Histopathology EQA Scheme.
5. A postmortem examination service with interest in teaching, provided from Tunbridge Wells Hospital, with approx. 600 postmortems performed for HMC.
6. A research-active department
7. in a beautiful part of south east England with more outstanding schools than any other county in the UK.
Benefits:
8. Opportunity for hybrid working, including consultant-grade microscopes and IT equipment for remote working.
9. State-of-the-art screens for digital reporting and purpose-built lab facilities in modern hospitals.
10. Office space.
11. Secretarial support.
12. Recruitment and Retention Premium up to £15,000 (T&Cs apply)
13. Assistance with relocation and accommodation (T&Cs apply)
Candidates unable to work full-time will be considered. If you are appointed, modifications to job content will be discussed on a personal basis in consultation with your colleagues.
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff, we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible, work-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
to hear what our staff say.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
14. Generous annual leave entitlement
15. Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 23.7% and life assurance benefits
16. Blue Light card eligibility
17. And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. To provide a high standard of care in an appropriate and timely fashion to any patient (cases) for whom you have clinical responsibility. This will include any cases distributed to you or to a trainee under your supervision. In addition, any cases of consultant colleagues when you are covering for annual leave.
2. To participate in clinical and other service activities and developments to ensure a high standard of patient care across the Trust.
3. To work in close co-operation with other medical, professional and managerial colleagues, both within and outside the speciality, to provide high-quality health care to the patients of all trusts served, and to contribute to future thinking about the Trust’s strategic direction.
4. To participate fully in and share leadership of the clinical governance of the speciality, covering its Trust-wide activities. To attend clinical governance meetings as detailed in the Trust’s Guide to Job Planning, unless on agreed leave or other unavoidable commitments.
5. To participate actively in departmental audits, sharing co-ordination of audit activities within the department and implementation of change.
6. To take an active responsibility for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, training and supervision.
7. To assume responsibility, both personally and corporate,y with consultant colleagues, for the management of junior medical staff. You are expected to be involved in their professional development, both clinical andpersonalo,nas per guidance from the Deanery.
8. To ensure that all doctors in training for whom you have supervisory responsibilities undertake delegated clinical tasks that are within their level of competence and knowledge.
9. To ensure at all times that you comply with the General Medical Council’s published guide “Good Medical Practice” in,cluding the Duties of a Doctor.
The main duties are those of a Consultant Histopathologist sub-specialistalist department reporting for a regional cancer centre and three general hospitals. The duties include specialist reporting, MDM preparation and attendance, clinical audit and governance responsibilities, teaching and training. There are opportunities for Coronial work available for qualified individuals.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
18. Full and specialist registration (and a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC) (or eligible for registration within six months of interview)
19. 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
20. Applicants that are non-UK trained will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
21. FRCPath or evidence of equivalent qualification
Desirable criteria
22. MB ChB or evidence of equivalent qualification
23. A relevant higher qualification
Clinical and Technical Expertise
Essential criteria
24. Demonstrates a broad range of clinical knowledge, dissection skills & IT expertise equivalent to that required for gaining a UK CCT
25. Up-to-date clinical knowledge in relevant sub-specialities
26. Dedication to Continuing Professional Development and adherence to clinical governance standards
27. In depth expertise in at least one sub-specialist field
28. Displays sound professional judgement and clinical risk management
Desirable criteria
29. UK experience of cellular pathology
30. Interest in Autopsy pathology and coronial post mortems
31. Experience in molecular pathology reporting
Intellect and Education
Essential criteria
32. Shows an approach based on critical enquiry and evidence-based practice & audit
33. Commitments to clinical audit and Quality Improvement Projects (QIP)
Desirable criteria
34. Interest in research & audit
Organisation & Planning
Essential criteria
35. Able to operate effectively in a committee; contributes to strategic decision-making
36. Able to juggle a large number of demands by setting priorities & planning effectively
Desirable criteria
37. Displays management & financial competence
Communications and Interpersonal Skills
Essential criteria
38. Strong leadership & co-ordination skills with ability to direct & organise teams
39. Ability to cope with considerable pressure as well as to adapt to constant change & new demands
40. Demonstrates energy, enthusiasm & initiative in pursuing innovation and the highest standards for patients, juniors, others, colleagues & the organisation
Teaching Skills
Essential criteria
41. Committed to supervise and teach juniors
42. Able to operate within a teaching/training culture
Desirable criteria
43. Attendance of a teaching course or teaching qualifications