Job summary
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a substantive 10 PA Consultant Histopathologist to replace a retiring colleague. The post requires an established or developing interest in gynaecological pathology. Additional expertise in breast pathology is highly desirable due to the volume and clinical importance of this work. Experience in non-gynaecological cytology is advantageous, but training can be provided. Interest in Dermatopathology or other specialties will also be considered. The gynaecological pathology service at Cheltenham General Hospital supports secondary and tertiary cancer services for a population of 1.4 million across Herefordshire, Powys and Worcestershire, and 652,000 locally. The department contributes to cervical screening histology and provides an ovarian frozen section service, offering real-time intraoperative diagnostic support and strong MDT engagement. The successful applicant will join a supportive, UKAS-accredited Cellular Pathology Department with full digital pathology (implemented 2025) and home-reporting capability. On-site presence is required for key clinical services, including cut-up and ovarian frozen sections. Cheltenham offers excellent quality of life, strong schools and good transport links. These posts attract a £15k Recruitment & Retention payment to the successful candidate appointed. For Further information pleasecontact Medical Staffing on *Terms and Conditions apply*
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will:
* Provide high quality diagnostic reporting, with a core contribution to gynaecological pathology and/or breast pathology, supporting both local and regional cancer services.
* Participate in cervical screening histology reporting.
* Contribute to the ovarian frozen section service.
* Contribute to non-gynaecological cytology if possible, with opportunities for further development where required.
* Support additional subspecialty areas aligned with experience and departmental need, including dermatopathology, urological, lung, GI or head & neck pathology.
* Participate in cut up, supported by experienced dissection practitioners.
* Attend and contribute to MDT meetings, including regional and tertiary gynaecological cancer MDTs as appropriate.
* Take part in the departmental longstanding second signing process for quality assurance.
* Use the digital pathology service.
* Contribute to service development, audit and clinical governance in line with Trust policies.
* Less than full time and flexible working arrangements will be considered.
The appointees will be managerially responsible to the Clinical Head(s) of Department of the Gloucestershire Histopathology Department and to the Specialty Director, the Director of Service, the Medical Director and the Trust Board.
About us
We provide acute services from Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital to a population of 652,475 in Gloucestershire, as well as patients from surrounding counties.
Our workforce of almost 8,000 delivers high-quality, patient-centred emergency, elective and specialist care. We are committed to recruiting talented people who share our vision of delivering Best Care for Everyone, supported by staff who are leaders in healthcare, teaching and research.
Cheltenham, the gateway to the Cotswolds, is regularly rated among the best places to live in the UK, offering excellent state and independent schools, green spaces and strong transport links.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest provider within the SWAG Cancer Alliance, delivering specialist care across a wide range of services. The Cellular Pathology Department, based at Cheltenham General Hospital, supports local and regional specialties including tertiary gynaecological oncology.
The department has a strong subspecialist culture, fully implemented digital pathology, and an expanding Molecular Pathology Service, supporting modern diagnostics and flexible working.
Details
Date posted
20 February 2026
Pay scheme
Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade
Consultant
Salary
£109,725 to £145,478 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
318-26-CONSHISTO
Job locations
Cheltenham General Hospital
Sandford Road
Cheltenham
GL53 7AN
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical duties:
* Subspecialty reporting with emphasis on gynaecological pathology and/or breast pathology, including work supporting regional cancer services.
* Cervical screening histology reporting.
* Participation in the ovarian frozen section service, which provides essential intraoperative diagnostic guidance during gynaecological cancer surgery.
* Contribution to non-gynaecological cytology, with training and development available.
* MDT preparation and attendance.
* Participation in second signing and intra departmental consultation.
Training, teaching and departmental culture:
The department has an active and supportive training culture:
* Consultants are expected to support postgraduate histopathology trainees.
* Regular undergraduate teaching is delivered, with medical students attending structured half day sessions.
* The department offers taster sessions for resident doctors considering a career in histopathology.
* To participate in EQA schemes and proficiency testing relevant to your areas of practice
* Formal Educational Supervisor roles are allocated separately, but all consultants are expected to contribute to the educational environment.
Laboratory and departmental responsibilities:
* Participation in the cut-up rota with expert dissection practitioner support.
* Full engagement with digital pathology workflows, including remote reporting.
* Contribution to audit, service improvement, clinical governance and teaching.
Qualifications:
* Full GMC registration with licence to practise.
* CCT (or within 6 months of award at interview) or CESR equivalence.
* Commitment to delivering a high quality cellular pathology service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical duties:
* Subspecialty reporting with emphasis on gynaecological pathology and/or breast pathology, including work supporting regional cancer services.
* Cervical screening histology reporting.
* Participation in the ovarian frozen section service, which provides essential intraoperative diagnostic guidance during gynaecological cancer surgery.
* Contribution to non-gynaecological cytology, with training and development available.
* MDT preparation and attendance.
* Participation in second signing and intra departmental consultation.
Training, teaching and departmental culture:
The department has an active and supportive training culture:
* Consultants are expected to support postgraduate histopathology trainees.
* Regular undergraduate teaching is delivered, with medical students attending structured half day sessions.
* The department offers taster sessions for resident doctors considering a career in histopathology.
* To participate in EQA schemes and proficiency testing relevant to your areas of practice
* Formal Educational Supervisor roles are allocated separately, but all consultants are expected to contribute to the educational environment.
Laboratory and departmental responsibilities:
* Participation in the cut-up rota with expert dissection practitioner support.
* Full engagement with digital pathology workflows, including remote reporting.
* Contribution to audit, service improvement, clinical governance and teaching.
Qualifications:
* Full GMC registration with licence to practise.
* CCT (or within 6 months of award at interview) or CESR equivalence.
* Commitment to delivering a high quality cellular pathology service.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Full registration (and with a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC), or be eligible for registration within six months of interview.
* On Specialist Register for Pathology via: CCT (proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of interview) CESR or European Community Rights, FRCPath or equivalent qualification Higher degree
Desirable
* Teaching qualification
* Higher degree
* FRCPath or equivalent qualification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
* Experience in devising, conducting and applying audit results
Desirable
* Training in evidence-based practice
* Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems
Clinical/Experience
Essential
* Proven clinical skills in cellular pathology
* Willing and able to work with colleagues in management and other specialities to ensure the delivery of a high quality, safe and reliable service
* Familiar with clinical governance
* A willingness to accept responsibility
* Awareness of current relevant developments within the NHS
* Determination to play a full part in the future development of the service
* Interest in teaching
Desirable
* Experience of teaching of hospital and professional staff at all levels
* Experience of clinical governance
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Full registration (and with a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC), or be eligible for registration within six months of interview.
* On Specialist Register for Pathology via: CCT (proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of interview) CESR or European Community Rights, FRCPath or equivalent qualification Higher degree
Desirable
* Teaching qualification
* Higher degree
* FRCPath or equivalent qualification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
* Experience in devising, conducting and applying audit results
Desirable
* Training in evidence-based practice
* Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems
Clinical/Experience
Essential
* Proven clinical skills in cellular pathology
* Willing and able to work with colleagues in management and other specialities to ensure the delivery of a high quality, safe and reliable service
* Familiar with clinical governance
* A willingness to accept responsibility
* Awareness of current relevant developments within the NHS
* Determination to play a full part in the future development of the service
* Interest in teaching
Desirable
* Experience of teaching of hospital and professional staff at all levels
* Experience of clinical governance
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Cheltenham General Hospital
Sandford Road
Cheltenham
GL53 7AN
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Cheltenham General Hospital
Sandford Road
Cheltenham
GL53 7AN
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)