Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Pathology Education, Training & Research Lead (Band 8a) to join the Pathology Directorate within the Clinical Sciences, Cancer & Diagnostics Division at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.
This is a senior professional leadership role responsible for designing, governing and assuring education, training and research activity across Pathology. Working with service and professional leaders across multiple specialties, the postholder will ensure that both registered and non-registered staff are supported by clear training frameworks, consistent competency standards and sustainable workforce development plans aligned to service need, regulatory requirements and future workforce models.
This is not a training delivery or teaching post. The role focuses on creating the systems, standards, governance and assurance that enable high-quality development at scale, working closely with local leaders, Higher Education Institutions, professional bodies and the Peninsula Pathology Network.
The postholder will report to the Pathology Professional Lead and will work across Derriford Hospital and other sites as required.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
Key responsibilities include:
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Leading the development and implementation of a Pathology-wide education and training strategy, aligned to service, workforce and regulatory requirements
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Establishing and assuring consistent training pathways for registered and non-registered staff groups across Pathology
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Developing and maintaining directorate-wide competency, capability and career progression frameworks, supporting standardisation of job descriptions and career pathways
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Acting as Pathology's key interface with HEIs, professional bodies, external training providers and the Peninsula Pathology Network for workforce, education and training
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Enabling a culture of research, innovation and evidence-based practice, supporting staff access to opportunities and collaborations
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Using data to monitor training effectiveness, identify risk and provide assurance for inspections, accreditation and external reviews where education/training evidence is required
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Providing visible, credible professional leadership across Pathology, influencing improvement without direct line management responsibility
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Pathology Education, Training & Research Lead provides directorate-wide leadership for the design, governance and assurance of education, training and research activity across Pathology.
1. Strategic leadership education and training
-
Develop and implement a Pathology-wide education and training strategy aligned to:
-
Service delivery requirements and workforce plans
-
Professional and regulatory standards
-
Peninsula Pathology Network priorities
-
Establish directorate-wide training plans and clear pathways for:
-
Registered staff (e.g., Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Scientists)
-
Non-registered staff (e.g., support workers, assistants, associate practitioners)
-
Provide expert advice to senior leaders on training frameworks, competency and professional development.
2. Professional standards, governance and assurance
-
Lead training governance to ensure frameworks support:
-
HCPC / IBMS and other relevant professional standards
-
Accreditation and regulatory requirements
-
Safe, competent and sustainable practice
-
Develop and maintain consistent competency, capability and progression frameworks across Pathology.
-
Support standardisation and improvement of job descriptions, role profiles and career pathways in partnership with workforce and HR colleagues.
3. Workforce development and planning
-
Work with service and professional leads to embed training plans within workforce planning, establishment review and service redesign.
-
Support future workforce models, including skill mix changes, advanced practice and new roles.
-
Contribute to recruitment and retention by ensuring credible and attractive development pathways.
For further details please see attached JD&PS.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Pathology Education, Training & Research Lead provides directorate-wide leadership for the design, governance and assurance of education, training and research activity across Pathology.
1. Strategic leadership education and training
-
Develop and implement a Pathology-wide education and training strategy aligned to:
-
Service delivery requirements and workforce plans
-
Professional and regulatory standards
-
Peninsula Pathology Network priorities
-
Establish directorate-wide training plans and clear pathways for:
-
Registered staff (e.g., Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Scientists)
-
Non-registered staff (e.g., support workers, assistants, associate practitioners)
-
Provide expert advice to senior leaders on training frameworks, competency and professional development.
2. Professional standards, governance and assurance
-
Lead training governance to ensure frameworks support:
-
HCPC / IBMS and other relevant professional standards
-
Accreditation and regulatory requirements
-
Safe, competent and sustainable practice
-
Develop and maintain consistent competency, capability and progression frameworks across Pathology.
-
Support standardisation and improvement of job descriptions, role profiles and career pathways in partnership with workforce and HR colleagues.
3. Workforce development and planning
-
Work with service and professional leads to embed training plans within workforce planning, establishment review and service redesign.
-
Support future workforce models, including skill mix changes, advanced practice and new roles.
-
Contribute to recruitment and retention by ensuring credible and attractive development pathways.
For further details please see attached JD&PS.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oHCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist
- oRelevant postgraduate qualification (MSc or equivalent) or equivalent demonstrable experience in education, training, workforce development or professional leadership
Desirable
- oTeaching, education or training qualification
- oLeadership or management qualification
Knowledge and Experiance
Essential
- oSignificant post-registration demonstrable experience within Pathology services
- oDemonstrable experience of leading or coordinating education, training or workforce development activity
- oStrong understanding of professional standards, regulatory requirements and training pathways within pathology
- oDemonstrable experience of working across organisational boundaries and influencing without direct authority
- oDemonstrable experience of contributing to workforce planning or service development
Desirable
- oDemonstrable experience working within or alongside a pathology network
- oDemonstrable experience supporting or facilitating research or innovation activity
- oDemonstrable experience of quality improvement methodologies
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- oStrategic thinking with the ability to translate strategy into practical frameworks
- oExcellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- oAbility to analyse workforce and training data to inform decisions
- oStrong organisational and programme coordination skills
- oAbility to manage complexity and competing priorities across multiple services
Disposition, Attitude and Motivation
Essential
- oCredible, professional and approachable leadership style
- oCommitment to continuous improvement and staff development
- oAbility to work collaboratively and build trust across disciplines
- oResilient, adaptable and solution-focused
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oHCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist
- oRelevant postgraduate qualification (MSc or equivalent) or equivalent demonstrable experience in education, training, workforce development or professional leadership
Desirable
- oTeaching, education or training qualification
- oLeadership or management qualification
Knowledge and Experiance
Essential
- oSignificant post-registration demonstrable experience within Pathology services
- oDemonstrable experience of leading or coordinating education, training or workforce development activity
- oStrong understanding of professional standards, regulatory requirements and training pathways within pathology
- oDemonstrable experience of working across organisational boundaries and influencing without direct authority
- oDemonstrable experience of contributing to workforce planning or service development
Desirable
- oDemonstrable experience working within or alongside a pathology network
- oDemonstrable experience supporting or facilitating research or innovation activity
- oDemonstrable experience of quality improvement methodologies
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- oStrategic thinking with the ability to translate strategy into practical frameworks
- oExcellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- oAbility to analyse workforce and training data to inform decisions
- oStrong organisational and programme coordination skills
- oAbility to manage complexity and competing priorities across multiple services
Disposition, Attitude and Motivation
Essential
- oCredible, professional and approachable leadership style
- oCommitment to continuous improvement and staff development
- oAbility to work collaboratively and build trust across disciplines
- oResilient, adaptable and solution-focused
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.
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.
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).
