North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Consultant Histopathologist

The closing date is 24 February 2026

Job summary

The Histopathology Services of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust is based at the Cumberland Infirmary site. The laboratory processes approximately 21997 histology requests per annum and 1254 non-gynaecological cytology requests, including some FNA work.

The laboratory is UKAS ISO 15189 accredited and HTA licenced to conduct post mortems and store bodies at the Cumberland Infirmary, and a satellite licence as a body store at West Cumberland Hospital.

There are currently 5.8 WTE Consultant Histopathologists in post at Carlisle, with an establishment for 7.0 WTE posts. There is also 2.0 Specialty Doctors in post. We have a very friendly and happy working environment, with a strong team approach to making the service successful. The histopathology service is well regarded across the Trust despite working below full consultant capacity for several years. We provide support to each consultant individually to help manage their workload. Excess work is outsourced.

Main duties of the job

Histology

In 2023 a total of 21997 histology requests were received. The normal full range of diagnostic material is processed. Neuropathology is not performed. Histology duties are undertaken on a daily rota.

Examples of annual workload 2023 for some specimen types (not exhaustive)

NUMBER OF CASES REPORTED PER ANNUM

Endoscopic biopsies

5277

Colectomies

145

Skin

6657

Breast Cores

1097

Breast resections

327

Cervical biopsies and Cervical LLetz

1350

Liver biopsies

48

Renal biopsies

66

Fully automated immunohistochemistry is provided with a comprehensive range of routine antibodies.

Rapid biopsy processing can be undertaken using a rapid hybrid tissue processor.

The laboratory is served by the Telepath computer system with links across the Trust and NHS networks. The Trust is currently working collaboratively with other laboratories in the North-East to replace our current LIMS with Cerner LIMS, which is anticipated to occur during 2023.

85% of requests are from hospital cases (Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital), 15% from General Practitioners.

Non-Gynaecological Cytology

In 2023 a total of 1254 non-gynae cytology requests were received. Specimens cover the normal range expected. 95% of requests are generated from hospital wards and clinics. FNAs are taken by surgeons/radiologists. Non gynaecological cytology is distributed by daily rota.

About us

At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding hospital and health services to half a million people. Established on 1st October 2019, the Trust is creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout north Cumbria and beyond. We're responsible for delivering over 70 services across 15 main locations and we employ more than 6,500 members of staff.

Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time'.

  • Being a clinically led organisation
  • Quality and safety at the heart
  • A positive patient experience every time
  • A great place to work
  • Managing our money well

As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.

Details

Date posted

27 January 2026

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

Depending on experience Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

262-A-25-7697763

Job locations

Cumberland Infirmary

Newtown Road

Carlisle

CA2 7HY


Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.

CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP

Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit theUK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.

Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see ourPolicyforeligiblevacancies.

Disclosure and Barring Service:

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.

The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as followsif applicable to the post:

Standard Check: £21.50 + Administration cost of £5.90 = £27.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.

Enhanced Check: £49.50 + administration cost of £5.90 = £55.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.

NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits:

27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years

Flexible working Scheme

NHS Discounts*

Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*

Excellent opportunities for development*

Competitive NHS Pension scheme

Vivup isa free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems

*Subject to eligibility

Important Information

Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.

If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.

Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.

CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP

Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit theUK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.

Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see ourPolicyforeligiblevacancies.

Disclosure and Barring Service:

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.

The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as followsif applicable to the post:

Standard Check: £21.50 + Administration cost of £5.90 = £27.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.

Enhanced Check: £49.50 + administration cost of £5.90 = £55.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.

NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits:

27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years

Flexible working Scheme

NHS Discounts*

Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*

Excellent opportunities for development*

Competitive NHS Pension scheme

Vivup isa free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems

*Subject to eligibility

Important Information

Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.

If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.

Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

  • FRCPath or equivalent
  • Full GMC registration (and with a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC).

Experience & Knowledge

Essential

  • Wide experience of reporting in Cellular Pathology
  • Evidence of continuing medical education (existing consultants must demonstrate active participation in CPD)
  • Non gynae experience including FNA diagnostic work
  • Ability to organise and manage clinical workload
  • Ability to present histology and cytology findings to clinical colleagues in MDT meetings
  • Ability to take full and independent responsibility for liaising with clinical staff for the care of patients
  • Clinical Governance

Desirable

  • Experience of coronial post mortem work and willingness to participate in autopsy rota
  • Experience in small group teaching
  • Experience of supervising

Teaching, Audit and Research

Essential

  • Experience of and commitment to teaching undergraduate and postgraduate medical staff
  • Ability to teach clinical and personal skills required for histopathology
  • Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical and surgical problems
  • Experience of, and commitment to clinical audit

Desirable

  • Teaching of non-medical health professionals
  • Research publications

Continued Professional and Personal Development

Essential

  • Demonstrable evidence of lifelong learning
  • Reflective approach to personal development with an ability to acknowledge and effectively manage poor performance
  • Participation in appropriate peer review processes

Communication Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Must be able to relate well to all staff
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Empathetic and sensitive approach to patient needs
  • Approachable and effective Multi-disciplinary team member with excellent interpersonal skills
  • Team loyalty
  • Positive approach to lessons learnt
  • Confident approach without being arrogant

Desirable

  • IT Skills
  • Presentation Skills
Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

  • FRCPath or equivalent
  • Full GMC registration (and with a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC).

Experience & Knowledge

Essential

  • Wide experience of reporting in Cellular Pathology
  • Evidence of continuing medical education (existing consultants must demonstrate active participation in CPD)
  • Non gynae experience including FNA diagnostic work
  • Ability to organise and manage clinical workload
  • Ability to present histology and cytology findings to clinical colleagues in MDT meetings
  • Ability to take full and independent responsibility for liaising with clinical staff for the care of patients
  • Clinical Governance

Desirable

  • Experience of coronial post mortem work and willingness to participate in autopsy rota
  • Experience in small group teaching
  • Experience of supervising

Teaching, Audit and Research

Essential

  • Experience of and commitment to teaching undergraduate and postgraduate medical staff
  • Ability to teach clinical and personal skills required for histopathology
  • Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical and surgical problems
  • Experience of, and commitment to clinical audit

Desirable

  • Teaching of non-medical health professionals
  • Research publications

Continued Professional and Personal Development

Essential

  • Demonstrable evidence of lifelong learning
  • Reflective approach to personal development with an ability to acknowledge and effectively manage poor performance
  • Participation in appropriate peer review processes

Communication Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Must be able to relate well to all staff
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Empathetic and sensitive approach to patient needs
  • Approachable and effective Multi-disciplinary team member with excellent interpersonal skills
  • Team loyalty
  • Positive approach to lessons learnt
  • Confident approach without being arrogant

Desirable

  • IT Skills
  • Presentation Skills

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

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cumberland Infirmary

Newtown Road

Carlisle

CA2 7HY


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cumberland Infirmary

Newtown Road

Carlisle

CA2 7HY


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Histopathologist

Dr Fergus Young

fergus.young@ncic.nhs.uk

01228814817

Details

Date posted

27 January 2026

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

Depending on experience Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

262-A-25-7697763

Job locations

Cumberland Infirmary

Newtown Road

Carlisle

CA2 7HY


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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