JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a Consultant in Histopathology to join our team at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.
This is a replacement post following retirement of consultants. The appointee, together with 8 consultant colleagues and one specialist grade colleague, will be responsible for the provision of a comprehensive, efficient and cost-effective cellular pathology service.
The appointee will be expected to spend up to 8 PAs (9 PAs if an additional PA is taken up) in cellular pathology and multi-disciplinary team meetings. The additional supporting 1 PAs cover CPD, EQA/audit, attendance at mandatory training, general administration relating to audit / clinical governance activity, job planning & appraisal - including time for preparation and meetings relating to this activity. Further SPA time is available for specific duties by negotiation. These duties will be worked flexibly in order to maintain a mutually agreed work plan and day-to-day rota.
There is a possibility to work from home on some days (subject to separate agreement with the Clinical Lead). The work will include teaching and clinical audit within the department and as part of other departmental audits.
The base Hospital for this appointment is the Somerset Foundation Trust on the Musgrove Park Hospital site. The successful candidate might be offered to provide some cross-county service for Yeovil District Hospital).

ABOUT US

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we’re committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you’ll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it’s a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Please refer to the attached job description for full details of the role including the persons specification. The role is subject to the Terms and Conditions - Consultants (England) 2003
Deliver a range of histological and/or cytological diagnostics, to the highest possible standard, in line with the programme agreed with the Clinical Lead.
Assume responsibility for the organisation and management of histological and/or cytological diagnostics to patients in the hospital, in conjunction with colleagues across the hospital
Fully comply with all the requirements set out in the Trusts policies
Supervise the education of Junior Doctors, through effective scheduling of their teaching and training activities in support of professional and personal development
Mentor/Coach histopathology trainees and provide assessments and appraisals - ensuring any appropriate remedial action is taken where appropriate
Participate in the departmental teaching of medical students
Initiate and supervise audit projects in order to actively contribute to the development and reporting of Clinical Quality Standards
Maintain a satisfactory level of professional expertise through a recognised programme of Continuing Professional Development
Participate in a general histology QA scheme and in schemes specific to their subspeciality area
Ensure all activities undertaken are within the required level of competence expected by the Trust and the professional organisation relating to the specialty
Work with colleagues to develop service in line with key stakeholders (patients, commissioners, etc)
Research activities as agreed with the Clinical Lead
Responsible for undertaking administrative and budgetary duties associated with the care of patients and the efficient running of the department
Provide cover for colleagues in their absence and deal with emergencies as occasions demand
Complete all Mandatory Trust training.
Actively participate in the annual appraisal and job planning process

The department handles material from the local Trust hospital, local treatment centres and many of the GP practices in Somerset.
There is partial subspecialisation of the workload with most large specimens and some biopsy work allocated to individual consultants who also run the associated MDT.
A flexible rota is organized on rotating basis.
All remaining aspects of work are shared between the Consultants.
Some Consultants have opted out of post-mortem work and/or non-gynae cytology.
Any excess work building up in a backlog is covered by additional activities done outside the standard contracted hours and paid as overtime. It has been agreed that the expected reporting output of pathologists will be calculated using the points system set out in “Staffing and Workload for Cellular Pathology Departments - January 2024 , Ref: G107” published by the Royal College of Pathologists. Work in excess of the expected output can be claimed as extra work.