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Job summary

Main area
Cellular Pathology
Grade
NHS Medical & Dental: Specialist Grade
Contract
24 months (Fixed-term)
Hours
Full time - 10 sessions per week
Job ref
359-MSD7273626Histo
Employer
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Maidstone Hospital
Town
Maidstone
Salary
£96,990 - £107,155 per annum / pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
20/06/2025 23:59
Interview date
02/07/2025

Employer heading

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust logo

Specialist Grade - Histopathology

NHS Medical & Dental: Specialist Grade

Job overview

This  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 specialties with a dedicated molecular team.

 

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

We are:

  •  the commissioned Cellular Pathology Genomic Centre for Kent & Medway providing a centralised advanced diagnostic and predictive molecular testing service.
  •   a 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).
  • central provider for PD-L1 testing across a number of specialties.
  •  the host for RCPath and UKAS accredited South East General Histopathology EQA Scheme.
  •  a postmortem examination service with interest in teaching, provided from Tunbridge Wells Hospital with approx. 600 postmortems performed for HMC.
  •   a research-active department
  •  in a beautiful part of south east England with more outstanding schools than any other county in the UK.

Benefits:

  •  Opportunity for hybrid working, including consultant grade microscopes and IT equipment for home working.
  • State-of-the-art screens for digital reporting, and purpose-built lab facilities in modern hospitals.
  • Office space.
  • Secretarial support.
  • Recruitment and Retention Premium up to £15,000 (T&Cs apply)
  • Assistance with relocation and accommodation (T&Cs apply)

Candidates unable to work full-time will be considered. If you are appointed, modification of job content will be discussed on a personal basis in consultation with 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 working-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.

Click here to hear what our staff say.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

  • At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
  • Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
  • Blue Light card eligibility
  • 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 with the aim of ensuring 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 specialty, to provide high quality health care to the patients of all trusts served, and to make a contribution to future thinking about the Trust’s strategic direction.

4. To participate fully in and share leadership of the clinical governance of the specialty 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 corporately with consultant colleagues, for the management of junior medical staff. You are expected to be involved in their professional development, both clinical and personal as 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” including the Duties of a Doctor.

The main duties are those of a Consultant Histopathologist in a sub specialist 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
  • Full GMC registration
Desirable criteria
  • A relevant higher qualification Certificate of Higher Autopsy Training

Clinical and Technical Expertise

Essential criteria
  • Possesses range of clinical knowledge, skills & information technology expertise.
  • In depth expertise in at least one specialist field
Desirable criteria
  • Interest in Autopsy pathology and coronial post mortems

Intellect and Education

Essential criteria
  • Encourages ongoing learning & an educative culture, both for self and others

Organisation and planning

Essential criteria
  • Strong leadership & co-ordination skills with ability to direct & organise teams
  • Ability to cope with considerable pressure as well as to adapt to constant change & new demands
  • Demonstrates energy, enthusiasm & initiative in pursuing innovation and the highest standards for patients, juniors, others, colleagues & the organisation

Teaching skills

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of teaching experience
  • Willing to supervise juniors

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Kent and Medway Work Place Wellbeing AwardNHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardTrust IDVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - SilverStep into healthArmed Forces CovenantRoyal College of Anaesthetists AccreditedNHS England Bronze Award

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Dr Shona Sinha
Job title
Clinical Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01622 225634
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