Commonly known as anatomic or cellular pathology outside of the UK, histopathology is a well-staffed and supported specialty in the NHS. Nonetheless, the UK still has huge demand for senior pathologists and can offer fantastic career progression, competitive salaries, private work and support with CESR and Specialist Registration.
The qualification route you take may differ depending on your experience and years working in pathology, however satisfying an english language requirement and attaining full GMC registration are both essential.
If you have not already, check out our IMG Library where you can find out more about IELTS or OET, GMC Registration, FRCPath Histopathology. Additionally, this article may help you to understand the journey an anatomical pathologist can take to work in the UK: A Histopathologist's Route to the UK
The Royal College of Pathologists is the professional body that holds responsibiltiy for the curriculum and training of the specialty in the UK. Attaining Fellowship with the Royal College is seen as a golden ticket for international candidates new to the NHS. Full FRCPath will give access to senior job opportunities, most likely at consultant grade, of which there are many across the UK.
Candidates who have not completed a formalised training programme in anatomic pathology before arriving to the UK may with to enter NHS Specialtry Training in Histopathology. The UK training programme encompasses surgical pathology, autopsy and cytopathology, and cytopathology can be practised independently as a recognised subspecialty. You can choose to sub-specialise later on by training further in forensics, neuropathology, paediatric and perinatal pathology or cytopathology.
Roles in histopathology differ from many other hospital roles in that they are non-patient facing. Job plans can be demanding yet flexible, as a consultant you can take work home with you and the emergence of digital pathology in the UK is helping to create an ever desirable specialty for many to work in.
You can expect to work 40-hours per week, with a mixture of reporting duties and MDTs. Your multidisciplinary team meetings will see you collaborating with a wide range of specialists from oncology, radiology and other medical specialties.
Did you know? According to Health Trust Europe, seventy percent of all diagnoses in hospitals are supported by a pathologist, and pathology services are essential to the delivery of many of the NHS’s priorities and targets. Such is its importance, it was estimated that one billion tests were run in pathology labs in 2018 alone, at a cost of £2.2 billion.
You will have the opportunity to join and shape the service at this exciting time. As part of the pathology network programme of NHS improvement, they are in the process of forming a combined organisation in order to better use our combined capitol and expertise.
To support your on-going professional development you will receive an excellent Study leave package from the hospital whilst the Trust also has an active Research Department to support research interests. The department has close links with the local Medical School offering interested candidates opportunities for undergraduate teaching or the development of management roles within the medical school.The hospital is located just minutes away from the city centre which is home to various restaurants, bars, shops and theatres perfect for all ages. There are many bus routes accessible throughout the city and the train station is only a ten minute drive from the hospital with regular services to surrounding areas such as Leeds and the ability to travel to London in under 2 hours.
The city is a quintessentially British part of the UK with beautiful architecture, a small city feel with a friendly and welcoming local population. In addition, the area is diverse and multicultural with an established culture of international doctors relocating to the area to support the local NHS services.Experienced Pathology Consultants from around the globe are encouraged to apply for consultant roles in one of the largest Foundation Trusts in the South East of England. The trust actively seeks experienced consultants, whether or not they are currently on the specialist register, with a commitment to supporting those not on the register for CESR if that is their preference. This Trust, boasting nearly 10,000 staff and an annual budget exceeding £715 million in 2019/20, operates two large general hospitals in the East of England that consistently perform well according to their CQC reports.
The Histopathology department at this Trust is on a trajectory of advancement, aiming to incorporate the latest technologies and innovations to meet the current and future challenges of the modern NHS. An exciting collaboration with a large teaching hospital and tertiary center in China is underway, promising extensive opportunities for research and teaching within the Histopathology department. The post holder will play a crucial role in surgical pathology and cytopathology, engaging with a dynamic and multidisciplinary team.
The work environment within the Histopathology department is characterized by surgical cut-up performed by Consultant Pathologists, Specialty Registrars, and Biomedical Scientists. Two biomedical scientists have completed the Diploma of Expert Practice in Histological dissection (cut-up), with ongoing training for another. Technical staff handle small biopsies, while Consultant Pathologists report all FNA and non-cervical cytology specimens. Although there is no sub-specialization in surgical histology or diagnostic cytology at present, lead pathologists for each cancer site act as contact points within the department, actively participating in multidisciplinary meetings. Importantly, there is no on-call commitment, and the post holder has the option to undertake coronial post-mortem examinations by direct agreement with local coroners services.
Currently, there are six consultant pathologists, with capacity for two more, including the current vacancy. The Histopathology and Blood Science services are fully accredited by UKAS, participating in both interpretative and technical EQA schemes. The hospital itself holds HTA approval as an institution.
Beyond the professional realm, life in the region offers an enviable quality of life in a historic town. The area features a wealth of affordable housing in one of the most attractive parts of Britain, while remaining in proximity to one of London\'s major airports and all the facilities of the capital. Families will find excellent schools and a range of leisure facilities to enhance their living experience. Relocation support, including detailed information through a relocation document, is available for those interested in exploring this exciting opportunity further.
Are you eligible for this role?
To be considered for this role you must meet the following requirements:
We are looking for an experienced Consultant Histopathologists for a large University Hospital in South East England.
Job requirements:
Length of contract:
Substantive or Permanent Contract only. Experienced consultants who can apply for CESR within 6 months can be considered.
Benefits:
Exciting opportunities for UK CCT qualified consultants, or non-UK trained consultants with or preparing for CESR. These Consultant Histopathologist positions are available with option to specialise in 1 or two areas including GI, Haematopathology, Hepatobilliary or Paediatrics. The Trust scored \'Good\' on it\'s most recent CQC.
These are either permanent (substantive) roles or locum consultant posts dependent on specialist registration status, whilst those requiring consultant sign off to complete their CESR application process will be supported.
WHAT IS THE NHS TRUST LIKE?
The Trust provides a wide range of acute hospital services at their main 1000-bed hospital and provides a full range of acute clinical services to three populations of the South West of England. Specialist services such as neurosciences, renal care, urology, plastic surgery and burns treatment are provided and trust is a major specialist centres with links to other local regional hubs in cancer, pathology, dentistry and stroke.
WHAT IS THE PATHOLOGY DEPARTMENT & TEAM LIKE?
The existing Cellular Pathology service was formed in 2016 following mergers of several services and now the main service is delivered from new, purpose-built accommodation on the main hospital site. The department does however continues to provide an Essential Services Laboratory at the neighbouring hospital. A new Laboratory Information System, Clinisys WinPath Enterprise, was implemented four years previously.
The service currently runs with a full time WTE of 30 consultants, with currently two vacancies open, and the service is well funded, highly regarded and one of the better UK trusts to be joining in 2021.
WHAT IS LIFE LIKE IN THE REGION?
Based in a buzzing and culturally rich city, it is now a cultural and artistic hub for the UK offering everything that a UK city can offer. The City Centre is just 15 minutes away from the hospital, and has a great array of shops, theatres, restaurants and has an array of annual festivals and events including the International and local Fiesta and Art and Film Fairs. For those who cycle, the city boasts excellent cycling facilities and was chosen as England’s first cycling city in 2008 and voted the European green capital in 2015. In 2017 the areas was named ‘best place to live in Britain’ by the Times “the city is a worthy winner thanks to its ideal combination of extraordinary culture, impressive schools, buzzing culinary scene, exciting redevelopment and community spirit.”.
For those moving with families it offers an excellent family lifestyle with green space, parks aplenty, rolling Somerset countryside and some excellent primary and secondary schools along with some of the UK\'s most well known universities. Cost of living is very low compared to other major cities in the UK whilst offering a fantastic lifestyle to compliment it.
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU?
Flexibility is offered to Consultants and you can choose to specialise in one or two specialist areas. Year one will be focused on developing autonomous reporting and NHS experience, with the focus shifting to CESR support thereafter.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
Interested and want to know if you\'re eligible for this role? Person specifications for this role are:
If you are either a UK based histopathologist looking to change roles in 2021 - then contact us today to chat and find out more about the role. If you are an overseas pathologist either with or without CESR and wondering if you can be considered - then contact us without hesitation. One of the specialist pathology recruiters will contact you immediately.