Consultant Cellular Pathologist
In the event of excessive applications being received this vacancy may close earlier than the stated closing date, you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible
IMPORTANT NOTE ON COMPLETION OF REFERENCE SECTION OF APPLICATION FORM
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and MUST cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment.Where possible this should be from two separate employers. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
PLEASE NOTE it is a requirement of this Trust that all successful applicants pay for their DBS certificate if a check is required for the post. This will be done through deduction from your monthly pay over a maximum of three months. It is also a requirement that all successful applicants register or are registered with the DBS update service where a DBS is required.
All new entrants to the NHS will be appointed on the minimum of the pay scale in line with Terms & Conditions.
Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity for a Consultant Cellular Pathologist to join a supra-regional high quality, innovative team within our friendly, supportive and efficient department.
This is a substantive post as part of an approved significant expansion in consultant staffing .
There is also flexibility in opportunities to work in a wide range of other diagnostic areas, to maintain breadth of diagnostic practice and meet the needs of the department. Whilst not essential, an interest in breast pathology would be desirable.Participation in coronial post-mortems would also be welcome but not essential.
We are keen to offer the successful applicant the opportunity to progress in their career. We would especially welcome applicants interested in becoming part of the gynaecological cytology service and would support any further training and necessary qualifications.
Main duties of the job
The Consultant Cellular Pathologist will form part of the Pathology Consultant Team based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead. With a continuing responsibility for the delivery of Cellular Pathology Services to the South of Tyne and Wear area and for the proper functioning of the Pathology Service.
In addition, they will undertake the administrative duties associated with the provision of the Pathology Service.
Subject to the provision of the terms and conditions of service, they are expected to observe the Trust’s agreed policies and procedures drawn up in consultation with the profession on clinical matters and to follow the local and national employment and personnel policies and procedures.
Histology and cytology workload is loosely apportioned between consultants in a fair manner (cut up and cytology), although the bulk of reporting of small specimens follows a pool system where cases are triaged into urgent, priority and non-urgent (green) sections.Most consultants report at least two main clinical specialities, supplemented by a wider range of diagnostic biopsies and small surgical specimens, which includes common high volume mucosal biopsies and skin biopsies. Certain categories of cancer screening pathology specimen are restricted to a limited number of pathologists, in line with cancer screening programme and external quality assurance requirements.
Working for our organisation
Pathology services in the South of Tyne and Wear area are consolidated onto a single site state of the art Pathology Centre based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Gateshead and serve the local population in the South of Tyne and Wear area and the three acute hospital Trusts in Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead.This is an innovative pathology reorganisation, and the consolidation of Cellular Pathology Services reached completion in 2014. There are satellite hot lab facilities in Sunderland Royal Hospital and South Tyneside General Hospital. Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust is the lead Trust for this service and the successful applicant will hold a contract with Gateshead Health NHSFT and be based at this site.
Pathologists are provided with good quality IT to enable remote attendance of MDTs, however should they need to attend meetings or other activities in Sunderland or South Tyneside in person, there is a departmental electric car available for use, or a hopper service.Digital pathology is being established in stages for pathologists who wish to participate.
Gateshead NHS Foundation Trust is committed to assisting all employees to achieve a work-life balance, regardless of their personal circumstances. Any applicant who is unable, for personal reasons, to work 7 sessions, will be eligible to be considered for the post.If such a person is appointed, modification of the job content will be discussed on a personal basis in consultation with consultant colleagues.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Consultant Cellular Pathologist will form part of the Pathology Consultant Team based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead. With a continuing responsibility for the delivery of Cellular Pathology Services to the South of Tyne and Wear area and for the proper functioning of the Pathology Service.
In addition, they will undertake the administrative duties associated with the provision of the Pathology Service.
Subject to the provision of the terms and conditions of service, they are expected to observe the Trust’s agreed policies and procedures drawn up in consultation with the profession on clinical matters and to follow the local and national employment and personnel policies and procedures.
Histology and cytology workload is loosely apportioned between consultants in a fair manner (cut up and cytology), although the bulk of reporting of small specimens follows a pool system where cases are triaged into urgent, priority and non-urgent (green) sections.Most consultants report at least two main clinical specialities, supplemented by a wider range of diagnostic biopsies and small surgical specimens, which includes common high volume mucosal biopsies and skin biopsies. Certain categories of cancer screening pathology specimens are restricted to a limited number of pathologists, in line with cancer screening programme and external quality assurance requirements.
The configuration of responsibilities will be reviewed from time to time and the appointee will be expected to work with colleagues to provide a reliable and timely service.
The consultant will work with colleagues to agree to a rota to cover all areas of departmental activity and assure proportionate distribution of activity.
Pathologists will be expected to work as part of the appropriate specialty team(s) and attend MDTs when required. Occasional booked frozen sections from Sunderland or South Tyneside are transported urgently to Gateshead for processing and immediate reporting.Although many meetings are now attended remotely, pathologists are encouraged to develop good relationships with clinicians and to attend some meetings in person, if Covid restrictions allow. For transport between sites, there is a departmental electric vehicle that can reserved for use, and a regular minibus transport service linking the three sites.
Alternatively, consultants may choose to use their own vehicles for these journeys and travelling expenses and parking charges will be reimbursed.
Person specification
Essential qualifications
Essential criteria- Full GMC license to practice in UK
- FRCPath part 1 and 2 by examination
- CCT or CCT within 6 months or equivalent e.g. CESR
- On GMC Speciality register (or within 6 months)
Essential experience
Essential criteria- Interest in urology and head and neck pathology
- Relevant speciality interests e.g. breast, GI, renal
Applicants who have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date are to assume that their application has been unsuccessful.
Applications from job seekers who require Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications where the post is eligible. 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).
Candidates who require sponsorship are strongly advised to visit the UK Border Agency website and familiarise themselves with what is required. There is a facility on this site to access the points based calculator and work through an example which should assist candidates in their understanding of the process.