Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Consultant Histopathologist/Cytopathologist

The closing date is 08 January 2026

Job summary

We are seeking to recruit a 10PA post for a Consultant Histopathologist/Cytopathologistfor the Royal Berkshire Hospital as part of Berkshire/Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS) Network.

The appointee will be required to be medically qualified and to have broad experience in diagnostic histopathology and cytopathology. It is expected that the appointee will hold Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists or show evidence of equivalent training and experience. The appointee will join the existing team to provide specialist care to thisgrowing population of patients and raise departmental profiles through teaching and education.

The aim of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Cellular Pathology service is to become a leader in the field of Histopathology/Cytologymanagement and the successful applicant must therefore have the pre-requisite procedural and leadership skills as well as team work, drive and ambition to succeed in achieving these goals.

The simulation date is 23/02/2026 and the interview date is 11/03/2026

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will support the current delivery of histopathology and cytopathology services, including contribution to the development of these services at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. The new post holder will also maintain one or two subspecialist interests (preferably Gynae Colposcopy and MDT, medical liver, haematopathology and inflammatory skin).

About us

Diversity is what makes us interesting, but inclusion is what will make us outstanding.

Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.

If you need additional help with your application, please contact the medical recruitment team via email medical.workforce@royalberkshire.nhs.uk

Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the medical recruitment team.

Details

Date posted

11 December 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£109,725 to £145,478 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

193-CON252NCG

Job locations

Harborne House University of Reading

Pepper Lane

Reading

RG6 6LA


Job description

Job responsibilities

Histopathology

The appointee will take part in the general diagnostic surgical pathology rota, having nominal responsibility for reporting one day in every seven. On this day the appointee willsupervise thereporting of thejunior medical staff.

Our current working practice within the department is for all of the consultant pathologists to undertake a proportion of the reporting each day (as allocated by the consultant with nominal responsibility for that days reporting).

Attendance at appropriate cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings as the lead or deputy pathologist will be required. Participation in appropriate external quality assurance (EQA) schemes is expected, as is participation in relevant clinical audits.

Cytopathology

The appointee will be responsible for reporting one sixth of the non-gynecological cytology workload in conjunction with the other 3 Consultants who undertake cytology.

The appointee will supervise the non-Gynae cytology work reported by the registrars on equitable basis.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Histopathology

The appointee will take part in the general diagnostic surgical pathology rota, having nominal responsibility for reporting one day in every seven. On this day the appointee willsupervise thereporting of thejunior medical staff.

Our current working practice within the department is for all of the consultant pathologists to undertake a proportion of the reporting each day (as allocated by the consultant with nominal responsibility for that days reporting).

Attendance at appropriate cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings as the lead or deputy pathologist will be required. Participation in appropriate external quality assurance (EQA) schemes is expected, as is participation in relevant clinical audits.

Cytopathology

The appointee will be responsible for reporting one sixth of the non-gynecological cytology workload in conjunction with the other 3 Consultants who undertake cytology.

The appointee will supervise the non-Gynae cytology work reported by the registrars on equitable basis.

Person Specification

Professional Qualifications

Essential

  • FRCPath or show evidence of equivalent qualification.
  • Full and Specialist registration (and with a license to practice) with the General Medical Council (GMC) or be eligible for registration within six months of interview. CCT date within 6 months

Desirable

  • Higher degree e.g., PhD/ MD submitted/awarded

Clinical Experience & Skills

Essential

  • Training and experience in diagnostic histopathology and cytopathology, sufficient to practice as an independent consultant.
  • Previous responsibility for clinical governance and GMC Good Medical Practice

Desirable

  • Commitment to the development of new diagnostic techniques like Molecular pathology

Clinical Knowledge

Essential

  • Good knowledge in all aspects of general diagnostic histopathology and cytopathology

Audit & IT

Essential

  • Evidence of active involvement in audit
  • Good IT skills, use of patient and hospital database

Desirable

  • Commitment and experience in Digital Pathology

Research. Teaching Skill & Experience

Essential

  • Track record of publications in peer reviewed journals
  • Evidence of providing good teaching and supervision to trainees to the level of GMC accredited educational supervision level

Desirable

  • Educational qualification

Management Skills

Essential

  • Able to organise oneself and prioritise clinical workload
  • Demonstrable interest in laboratory management and administration

Desirable

  • Evidence of clinical leadership role demonstrating accountability for quality of care, financial controls and efficient management of workforce

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to communicate with clarity and intelligently in written and spoken English with clinical and other colleagues
  • Evidence of good multi-disciplinary and multi-professional team working

Desirable

  • Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels
Person Specification

Professional Qualifications

Essential

  • FRCPath or show evidence of equivalent qualification.
  • Full and Specialist registration (and with a license to practice) with the General Medical Council (GMC) or be eligible for registration within six months of interview. CCT date within 6 months

Desirable

  • Higher degree e.g., PhD/ MD submitted/awarded

Clinical Experience & Skills

Essential

  • Training and experience in diagnostic histopathology and cytopathology, sufficient to practice as an independent consultant.
  • Previous responsibility for clinical governance and GMC Good Medical Practice

Desirable

  • Commitment to the development of new diagnostic techniques like Molecular pathology

Clinical Knowledge

Essential

  • Good knowledge in all aspects of general diagnostic histopathology and cytopathology

Audit & IT

Essential

  • Evidence of active involvement in audit
  • Good IT skills, use of patient and hospital database

Desirable

  • Commitment and experience in Digital Pathology

Research. Teaching Skill & Experience

Essential

  • Track record of publications in peer reviewed journals
  • Evidence of providing good teaching and supervision to trainees to the level of GMC accredited educational supervision level

Desirable

  • Educational qualification

Management Skills

Essential

  • Able to organise oneself and prioritise clinical workload
  • Demonstrable interest in laboratory management and administration

Desirable

  • Evidence of clinical leadership role demonstrating accountability for quality of care, financial controls and efficient management of workforce

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to communicate with clarity and intelligently in written and spoken English with clinical and other colleagues
  • Evidence of good multi-disciplinary and multi-professional team working

Desirable

  • Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Harborne House University of Reading

Pepper Lane

Reading

RG6 6LA


Employer's website

https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Harborne House University of Reading

Pepper Lane

Reading

RG6 6LA


Employer's website

https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Consultant Histopathologist

Dr Alka Sharma Patankar

Alka.Patankar@royalberkshire.nhs.uk

01183228069

Details

Date posted

11 December 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£109,725 to £145,478 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

193-CON252NCG

Job locations

Harborne House University of Reading

Pepper Lane

Reading

RG6 6LA


Supporting documents

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