Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.

Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

The Histopathology team here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust are looking to the future, excited to invest in people and technologies that can evolve how we work. We are searching for a Histopathology Consultant ready to work with us in developing our vision. 

This is a full-time position; however, applicants, who for personal reasons, wish to job share/work part-time are welcome to apply.

The successful candidate will participate in a monthly rota of specialist surgical dissection and reporting and provide cover for frozen section reporting on a rotational basis. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop specialist interests that compliment those already existing within the department.

The successful candidate will have full GMC registration and be on the specialist register, or within 6 months of being included and will also be a fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists or have completed a period of training and education in Histopathology, recognised by the GMC. We are keen to support a candidate with a desire to develop their leadership and management skills by offering the opportunity to take on a clinical leadership role for the department.

The Portsmouth Pathology Service is one of the largest hospital laboratories in the country. It comprises over 35 Consultants together with Clinical Scientists, Associate Specialists, Specialist Registrars, BMS’s, MLA and support staff. The department also includes a new mortuary; however, the post does not include a commitment to perform post-mortems, although the candidate is welcomed to participate in HM Coroner’s autopsy work if interested.

The Cellular Pathology department is situated within the modern, purpose-built Pathology Centre at Queen Alexandra Hospital and holds full accreditation with UKAS ISO 15189: 2012 accreditation for the Histopathology, Cytology and Mortuary services that make up the Cellular Pathology remit. There is an Independent Sector Treatment Centre (ISTC) on the St Mary’s Hospital site and Histopathology specimens from this centre are processed at Queen Alexandra Hospital.

Cellular pathology supports a large Cancer Centre and is committed to provide high quality cancer diagnostic services. Cellular Pathology currently has a molecular referral service but aspires to bring new molecular testing within the department in the future. The Diagnostic Cytology service includes a non-gynae Cytopathology diagnostic service and an Andrology service. The department also includes an excellent, modern mortuary facility with a HTA licence. The Histopathology service is also in the process of implementing digital pathology reporting across all specialties. This is an exciting development and will improve MDT processes and give greater access to resources across the region.

We are currently a team of 17 Consultants and 2 Speciality Doctors, supporting a wider Histopathology team including a Consultant Biomedical Scientist and one in training (who are also Advanced Dissection Practitioners), a further 3 qualified Dissection Practitioners and 2 in training. We are a team proud of the service we provide to our patients and the surrounding areas, performing specialist reporting of all major cancer resections, as well as a wide range of complex and routine specimens.  We take a collaborative approach to working, supporting workloads through a “pool” system of allocations, with rotas that also include specialist surgical dissection, as well as frozen section reporting – variety is key. We also understand the importance of development, and we promise opportunities for candidates to develop specialist interests within the team.

Over recent years we have seen significant investment in our infrastructure – our Histopathology and Cytology laboratories have had a recent equipment refresh and we have modern well equipped mortuary – although there is no commitment to performing post mortems in this post, we would happily support those interested in contributing to leading this service, specifically by providing DCC time for supervising trainees. We have expanded services to include the support of the Wessex Renal Service, a Skin Surgery Service and our most recent investments are in voice recognition technology and soon to be introduced digital pathology reporting, to allow us to provide a better and more efficient reporting service.

We are also keen to support a candidate with a desire to develop their leadership and management skills by offering the opportunity to take on a clinical leadership role for the department. This is a great opportunity to help improve and shape the future direction of the service.

For further details including the full Job Description, Job Plan and Additional Department Information, please click here.

AAC Panel Date: To be confirmed 

Closing Date: 11th October 2024

• Full and specialist registration (and a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC) (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview)
• Applicants that are UK trained must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview
• Applicants that are non-UK trained, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT.
• FRCPath or show evidence of equivalent
• MBBS, MBChB or equivalent.

Clinical Experience

• Training and wide experience in diagnostic pathology, sufficient to practise as an independent consultant.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team to plan strategic objectives for the directorate, Trust or network group. Ability to negotiate and innovate would be desirable.
• Publications, prizes and honours are desirable
• Able to organise oneself and prioritise clinical need.
• Understanding of NHS, clinical governance and principles of research.
• Evidence of participation in audit
• Good communication skills, written and oral.

Skills & Knowledge

• Good knowledge of and ability to use both spoken and written English.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to work effectively with good time management skills, able to prioritise clinical need.
• Ability to take responsibility and provide leadership where appropriate.
• Ability to work in a team environment and to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multidisciplinary basis with all levels of staff.
• Understanding of clinical risk management
• Able to demonstrate appropriate level of clinical knowledge.

Other

• Participation in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and where relevant, evidence of participation.
• Knowledge and use of evidence based practice
• Knowledge of audit, governance and clinical research
• IT skills
• Effective, confident presentation ability
• Logical thinking, problem solving and decision making.

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust is a provider of Acute Health Services in the area of the Hampshire basin and Western South Downs. The catchment is in excess of 650,000 people. The area served by the Trust is on the Solent and English Channel and includes the City of Portsmouth and the Boroughs of Gosport, Fareham and Havant extending from Warsash in the west to Emsworth on the Sussex border and its northern boundaries encompass Petersfield and Liss.

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust has a vision to be recognised as a world-class hospital, leading the field through innovative healthcare solutions, focusing on the best outcomes for our patients, delivered in a safe, caring and inspiring environment. It is a key member Trust of the Southern Counties Pathology network, one of the largest networks in the country.

Portsmouth is a thriving waterfront naval city, steeped in naval history, on the South Coast of England. It is ninety minutes from central London and has good transport links, including regular ferries to France and Spain. The major airports are easily accessible (with an airport 30 minutes outside the city). It has some of the best water sports facilities in Europe and sandy beaches are within easy reach. Developments within the city itself and on the Gosport side of the harbour suggest a vibrant future for the area. Portsmouth has wonderful museums and is great for shopping and short breaks. With house prices 20% cheaper than London, Portsmouth is one of the easiest cities in the UK to purchase a property.

Portsmouth has wonderful museums and is great for shopping and short breaks. We are blessed with 2 National Parks on our doorstep – the Southdown’s Way and New Forest National Park, as well as a packed summer of cultural and musical events and plenty of sports on your doorstep, Portsmouth is the perfect city for those that love the outdoor lifestyle. With easy train links to London, an airport 30 minutes outside the city and ferries to the continent, Portsmouth has something for everyone.

Inland from the hospital is the beautiful and relatively unspoilt countryside of rural Hampshire. Close by is the New Forest and the recently designated National Park of the South Downs. The area combines the advantages of city life with pleasant villages and seaside towns. There are a number of first rate schools both in the state and private sector and it is an excellent place to raise a family.

Here at Portsmouth, we understand the importance of working flexibly, and so would welcome both full time and part time applications.  Want to know more about our beautiful city? Take a look - https://www.visitportsmouth.co.uk/

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.