University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Locum Consultant Cellular Neuropathologist

The closing date is 27 May 2025

Job summary

Applications are invited for this consultant post, which has been created to support the retirement of a colleague.

This is a replacement post, and the successful applicant will join the existing neuropathologist and 15 histopathologists within the Department of Cellular and Anatomical Pathology based at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. The post is to replace a retiring neuropathologist and will be initially offered at a part-time basis to become full time in April 2026. The applicant should have training in all areas of general neuropathology, including muscle and nerve pathology, and preferably have some previous research experience.

Main duties of the job

Please refer to the attached job description and "detailed job description and main responsibilities" below.

About us

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is amongst the largest providers of acute care in the country and is a major tertiary referral centre (see Annex A). All secondary health care (except ophthalmic services) is provided for on a single site at Derriford Hospital. The Trust provides secondary health services for South West Devon and East Cornwall, a population in the region of 475,000 and tertiary services (cardiothoracic surgery, adult neurosurgery, maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, renal transplantation and some radiotherapy and oncology for rarer tumours) for a population of up to 2 million over a larger area of Devon and Cornwall. The Department (which is part of the Pathology Service Line and Clinical Support Services Group) is located within Derriford Hospital and integrates histopathology, neuropathology and cytology laboratories and the mortuary. Specialised neuroscience services including adult neurosurgery and interventional neuroradiology for the Peninsula are also centred at Derriford

Details

Date posted

23 May 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£93,666 to £126,281 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

2 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Job share

Reference number

216-G2-PAT7228041

Job locations

Derriford Hospital, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

The successful applicant will work alongside Drs Aditya Shivane and David Hilton to deliver a comprehensive neuropathology service for patients and clinicians within Devon and Cornwall, this includes the diagnosis of brain tumours, CSF examinations, muscle and nerve diseases and a range of neurological diseases at autopsy. The autopsy service is Peninsula-wide and includes telephone advice to colleagues, examination of autopsy-derived tissue referred by other pathologists within the Peninsula (some of these autopsies will have been undertaken at the request of the Coroner) and undertaking neuropathological autopsies, including cases of suspected CJD. It is also expected that the successful applicant will develop her/his own laboratory-based research interests.

It is the Departments policy to audit individual workload regularly to ensure an even distribution. The configuration of responsibilities will be reviewed from time to time and the appointee will be expected to work with Drs Aditya Shivane and David Hilton to provide a reliable and expeditious service.

There is no formal on-call rota. However, Consultants may be contactable out-of-hours for Consultation, including frozen sections/smears on an ad hoc basis. Time is taken off in-lieu for an out-of-hours service.

You will be entitled to 32 working days per year and public bank holidays. After completing 7 years within the NHS, you will be entitled to 34 working days per year and public bank holidays. Your leave year commences from 1 April each year. The Head of Department should be informed of planned leave, at least 8 weeks in advance, in accordance with Trust and Departmental policies.

For the purposes of annual, study and special leave all cover is by mutual arrangement between colleagues. The post holder will be entitled to 10 days of study leave per annum with up to £750 funded by the Trust per study leave. Annual leave entitlements are as per national terms and conditions. Professional leave is granted by the Trust External Duty Panel on an individual basis.

The post holder will be expected to play a full part in the teaching, administrative and research activities of the Department. A track record of, and continuing interest in, research would be welcome.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The successful applicant will work alongside Drs Aditya Shivane and David Hilton to deliver a comprehensive neuropathology service for patients and clinicians within Devon and Cornwall, this includes the diagnosis of brain tumours, CSF examinations, muscle and nerve diseases and a range of neurological diseases at autopsy. The autopsy service is Peninsula-wide and includes telephone advice to colleagues, examination of autopsy-derived tissue referred by other pathologists within the Peninsula (some of these autopsies will have been undertaken at the request of the Coroner) and undertaking neuropathological autopsies, including cases of suspected CJD. It is also expected that the successful applicant will develop her/his own laboratory-based research interests.

It is the Departments policy to audit individual workload regularly to ensure an even distribution. The configuration of responsibilities will be reviewed from time to time and the appointee will be expected to work with Drs Aditya Shivane and David Hilton to provide a reliable and expeditious service.

There is no formal on-call rota. However, Consultants may be contactable out-of-hours for Consultation, including frozen sections/smears on an ad hoc basis. Time is taken off in-lieu for an out-of-hours service.

You will be entitled to 32 working days per year and public bank holidays. After completing 7 years within the NHS, you will be entitled to 34 working days per year and public bank holidays. Your leave year commences from 1 April each year. The Head of Department should be informed of planned leave, at least 8 weeks in advance, in accordance with Trust and Departmental policies.

For the purposes of annual, study and special leave all cover is by mutual arrangement between colleagues. The post holder will be entitled to 10 days of study leave per annum with up to £750 funded by the Trust per study leave. Annual leave entitlements are as per national terms and conditions. Professional leave is granted by the Trust External Duty Panel on an individual basis.

The post holder will be expected to play a full part in the teaching, administrative and research activities of the Department. A track record of, and continuing interest in, research would be welcome.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and Skills

Essential

  • Full registration with the GMC (and a licence to practise), or eligible to apply 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.
  • Thorough knowledge and extensive experience of diagnostic neuropathology

Desirable

  • M/FRCPath (II) or equivalent
  • Specialist Registration with the GMC

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Exposure to laboratory management
  • Working knowledge and experience of the NHS and its organisation

Desirable

  • Evidence of ability and substantial experience in laboratory management
  • Formal Management Training

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

  • Able to provide evidence of aptitude and abilities via case logs or appropriate written references.
  • Ability and commitment to teaching pathology to specialty trainees, biomedical scientists and other professional groups.

Desirable

  • Engages with relevant External Quality Assessment (or equivalent) schemes.
  • Shows evidence of personal audit and reflection on identified errors.
  • Enthusiasm for teaching medical students

Disposition / Attitude / Motivation

Essential

  • Able to provide evidence of safe and effective team working either via multi-source feedback or appropriate written references.

Desirable

  • Shows good leadership qualities.

Other factors

Desirable

  • Shows a desire to potentially live and work within the Trust beyond the fixed term of this contract.
Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and Skills

Essential

  • Full registration with the GMC (and a licence to practise), or eligible to apply 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.
  • Thorough knowledge and extensive experience of diagnostic neuropathology

Desirable

  • M/FRCPath (II) or equivalent
  • Specialist Registration with the GMC

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Exposure to laboratory management
  • Working knowledge and experience of the NHS and its organisation

Desirable

  • Evidence of ability and substantial experience in laboratory management
  • Formal Management Training

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

  • Able to provide evidence of aptitude and abilities via case logs or appropriate written references.
  • Ability and commitment to teaching pathology to specialty trainees, biomedical scientists and other professional groups.

Desirable

  • Engages with relevant External Quality Assessment (or equivalent) schemes.
  • Shows evidence of personal audit and reflection on identified errors.
  • Enthusiasm for teaching medical students

Disposition / Attitude / Motivation

Essential

  • Able to provide evidence of safe and effective team working either via multi-source feedback or appropriate written references.

Desirable

  • Shows good leadership qualities.

Other factors

Desirable

  • Shows a desire to potentially live and work within the Trust beyond the fixed term of this contract.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Histopathologist

Luke Farmkiss

luke.farmkiss@nhs.net

01752202082

Details

Date posted

23 May 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£93,666 to £126,281 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

2 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Job share

Reference number

216-G2-PAT7228041

Job locations

Derriford Hospital, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

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