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.