Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Specialist Grade - Histopathology

The closing date is 20 June 2025

Job summary

This post is an opportunity to join an expanding dynamic cellular pathology service, and develop your specialist diagnostic and research interests with the enthusiastic support of clinical colleagues.

The successful candidate will join a team of 20 consultants working in purpose-built laboratory facilities in modern hospitals, with a digital service at an advanced stage of development.

The department provides a cellular pathology service to MTW as well as Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust.Our varied workforce includes two consultant biomedical scientists(reporting GI and gynaecological pathology), a molecular pathology clinical scientist, two cut-up practitioners and one trainee cut-up practitioner.

You'll have the opportunity to report, participate in and develop molecular testing in various specialties with a dedicated molecular team.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

We are:

  • the commissioned Cellular Pathology Genomic Centre for Kent & Medway providing a centralised advanced diagnostic and predictive molecular testing service.
  • a large breast and GI HER-2 testing service (approx. 3000 pa) with FISH provided on-site by senior scientists using a new digital solution for fluorescent scanning and reporting (Bioview).
  • central provider for PD-L1 testing across a number of specialties.
  • the host for RCPath and UKAS accredited South East General Histopathology EQA Scheme.
  • a postmortem examination service with interest in teaching, provided from Tunbridge Wells Hospital with approx. 600 postmortems performed for HMC.
  • a research-active department
  • in a beautiful part of south east England with more outstanding schools than any other county in the UK.

Benefits:

  • Opportunity for hybrid working, including consultant grade microscopes and IT equipment for home working.
  • State-of-the-art screens for digital reporting, and purpose-built lab facilities in modern hospitals.
  • Office space.
  • Secretarial support.
  • Recruitment and Retention Premium up to £15,000 (T&Cs apply)
  • Assistance with relocation and accommodation (T&Cs apply)

Candidates unable to work full-time will be considered. If you are appointed, modification of job content will be discussed on a personal basis in consultation with colleagues.

About us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Click here to hear what our staff say.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

  • At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
  • Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
  • Blue Light card eligibility
  • And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

Details

Date posted

13 June 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£96,990 to £107,155 a year per annum / pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

24 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

359-MSD7273626Histo

Job locations

Maidstone Hospital

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To provide a high standard of care in an appropriate and timely fashion to any patient (cases) for whom you have clinical responsibility. This will include any cases distributed to you or to a trainee under your supervision. In addition, any cases of consultant colleagues when you are covering for annual leave.

2. To participate in clinical and other service activities and developments with the aim of ensuring a high standard of patient care across the Trust.

3. To work in close co-operation with other medical, professional and managerial colleagues, both within and outside the specialty, to provide high quality health care to the patients of all trusts served, and to make a contribution to future thinking about the Trusts strategic direction.

4. To participate fully in and share leadership of the clinical governance of the specialty covering its Trust-wide activities. To attend clinical governance meetings as detailed in the Trusts Guide to Job Planning unless on agreed leave or other unavoidable commitments.

5. To participate actively in departmental audits, sharing co-ordination of audit activities within the department and implementation of change.

6. To take an active responsibility for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, training and supervision.

7. To assume responsibility, both personally and corporately with consultant colleagues, for the management of junior medical staff. You are expected to be involved in their professional development, both clinical and personal as per guidance from the Deanery.

8. To ensure that all doctors in training for whom you have supervisory responsibilities undertake delegated clinical tasks that are within their level of competence and knowledge.

9. To ensure at all times that you comply with the General Medical Councils published guide Good Medical Practice including the Duties of a Doctor.

The main duties are those of a Consultant Histopathologist in a sub specialist department reporting for a regional cancer centre and three general hospitals. The duties include specialist reporting, MDM preparation and attendance, clinical audit and governance responsibilities, teaching and training. There are opportunities for Coronial work available for qualified individuals.

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To provide a high standard of care in an appropriate and timely fashion to any patient (cases) for whom you have clinical responsibility. This will include any cases distributed to you or to a trainee under your supervision. In addition, any cases of consultant colleagues when you are covering for annual leave.

2. To participate in clinical and other service activities and developments with the aim of ensuring a high standard of patient care across the Trust.

3. To work in close co-operation with other medical, professional and managerial colleagues, both within and outside the specialty, to provide high quality health care to the patients of all trusts served, and to make a contribution to future thinking about the Trusts strategic direction.

4. To participate fully in and share leadership of the clinical governance of the specialty covering its Trust-wide activities. To attend clinical governance meetings as detailed in the Trusts Guide to Job Planning unless on agreed leave or other unavoidable commitments.

5. To participate actively in departmental audits, sharing co-ordination of audit activities within the department and implementation of change.

6. To take an active responsibility for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, training and supervision.

7. To assume responsibility, both personally and corporately with consultant colleagues, for the management of junior medical staff. You are expected to be involved in their professional development, both clinical and personal as per guidance from the Deanery.

8. To ensure that all doctors in training for whom you have supervisory responsibilities undertake delegated clinical tasks that are within their level of competence and knowledge.

9. To ensure at all times that you comply with the General Medical Councils published guide Good Medical Practice including the Duties of a Doctor.

The main duties are those of a Consultant Histopathologist in a sub specialist department reporting for a regional cancer centre and three general hospitals. The duties include specialist reporting, MDM preparation and attendance, clinical audit and governance responsibilities, teaching and training. There are opportunities for Coronial work available for qualified individuals.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Full GMC registration

Desirable

  • A relevant higher qualification Certificate of Higher Autopsy Training

Clinical and Technical Expertise

Essential

  • Possesses range of clinical knowledge, skills & information technology expertise.
  • In depth expertise in at least one specialist field

Desirable

  • Interest in Autopsy pathology and coronial post mortems

Intellect and Education

Essential

  • Encourages ongoing learning & an educative culture, both for self and others

Organisation and planning

Essential

  • Strong leadership & co-ordination skills with ability to direct & organise teams
  • Ability to cope with considerable pressure as well as to adapt to constant change & new demands
  • Demonstrates energy, enthusiasm & initiative in pursuing innovation and the highest standards for patients, juniors, others, colleagues & the organisation

Teaching skills

Essential

  • Evidence of teaching experience
  • Willing to supervise juniors
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Full GMC registration

Desirable

  • A relevant higher qualification Certificate of Higher Autopsy Training

Clinical and Technical Expertise

Essential

  • Possesses range of clinical knowledge, skills & information technology expertise.
  • In depth expertise in at least one specialist field

Desirable

  • Interest in Autopsy pathology and coronial post mortems

Intellect and Education

Essential

  • Encourages ongoing learning & an educative culture, both for self and others

Organisation and planning

Essential

  • Strong leadership & co-ordination skills with ability to direct & organise teams
  • Ability to cope with considerable pressure as well as to adapt to constant change & new demands
  • Demonstrates energy, enthusiasm & initiative in pursuing innovation and the highest standards for patients, juniors, others, colleagues & the organisation

Teaching skills

Essential

  • Evidence of teaching experience
  • Willing to supervise juniors

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

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Address

Maidstone Hospital

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Address

Maidstone Hospital

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Lead

Dr Shona Sinha

shona.sinha@nhs.net

01622225634

Details

Date posted

13 June 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£96,990 to £107,155 a year per annum / pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

24 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

359-MSD7273626Histo

Job locations

Maidstone Hospital

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ


Supporting documents

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