Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a Consultant Cellular Pathologist with an interest in Gynaecological pathology to join a supra-regional high quality, innovative team within our friendly, supportive and efficient department.
This is a substantive post to cover changes in consultant staffing which are anticipated during 2024. The successful applicant will be expected to have or to develop a special interest in Gynaecological pathology. We are also looking for an additional consultant to join our medical renal biopsy team and therefore we would be especially keen if candidates express a willingness to consider developing this as special interest, with appropriate support.
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. Participation in coronial post-mortems would 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.
About us
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.
Job description
Job 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 Trusts 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.
The successful applicant will be expected to have or to develop a special interest in Gynaecological pathology. In addition, there is some flexibility in opportunities to work in a wide range of other diagnostic areas, to complement those of colleagues and meet the needs of the department. An interest in gynae cytology or qualification in gynae cytology is also desirable. Participation in coronial post-mortems would be welcome but not essential.
The vast majority of the autopsy work is at the instruction of HM Coroners and is performed at Sunderland and Gateshead mortuaries. This caseload is shared equitably between those pathologists who wish to perform post mortems, subject to the agreement of HM Coroner. We would welcome pathologists who are active or interested in contributing to the PM rota, but participation is not essential. South Tyneside PMs are performed by other pathologists under a separate arrangement.
Each of the three acute trusts has fully staffed mortuary facilities. The mortuary facilities in Sunderland and Gateshead have both been built within the last 10 years and offer state of the art ergonomic equipment. For the purposes of job planning Coroners autopsies are undertaken in non-contracted time.
Job description
Job 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 Trusts 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.
The successful applicant will be expected to have or to develop a special interest in Gynaecological pathology. In addition, there is some flexibility in opportunities to work in a wide range of other diagnostic areas, to complement those of colleagues and meet the needs of the department. An interest in gynae cytology or qualification in gynae cytology is also desirable. Participation in coronial post-mortems would be welcome but not essential.
The vast majority of the autopsy work is at the instruction of HM Coroners and is performed at Sunderland and Gateshead mortuaries. This caseload is shared equitably between those pathologists who wish to perform post mortems, subject to the agreement of HM Coroner. We would welcome pathologists who are active or interested in contributing to the PM rota, but participation is not essential. South Tyneside PMs are performed by other pathologists under a separate arrangement.
Each of the three acute trusts has fully staffed mortuary facilities. The mortuary facilities in Sunderland and Gateshead have both been built within the last 10 years and offer state of the art ergonomic equipment. For the purposes of job planning Coroners autopsies are undertaken in non-contracted time.
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Full registration as doctor with GMC
- CCT or within 6 months of obtaining CCT
Desirable
- Evidence of interest in gynaecological pathology
- Evidence of interest in medical renal biopsy
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Full registration as doctor with GMC
- CCT or within 6 months of obtaining CCT
Desirable
- Evidence of interest in gynaecological pathology
- Evidence of interest in medical renal biopsy
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
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).
