Consultant Histopathologist
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation TrustJob overview
The Department is housed in a self-contained unit opposite the outpatient department.
It comprises separate histopathology, cytopathology and immunohistology laboratories; secretarial office, 5 consultant offices, 1 senior MLSO office and tea-room.
The mortuary is close-by on the ground floor of the main hospital block and has undergone major updating with an increased storage facility, expanding from 50 standard fridges, 16 plus size and 4 freezer spaces to 65 standards, 20 plus size and 9 freezer spaces and a refitted postmortem room with 2 new tables. (New in 2017)
All consultants have their own offices with modern microscopes, video capture and VDU display, together with a networked PC.
There is a large multiheaded teaching/consultation microscope in the main laboratory
A wide range of immunohistochemically stains are performed using 2 Benchmark Ultra analysers, with a maximum of 180 slides/day (if 3 ‘runs’, however normally only 2 are required per day).These machines are also capable of performing in situ hybridisation, currently only used routinely for immunoglobulin light chains and EBV. Immunofluorescence is used for skin biopsies on request. Molecular biological studies on an increasing number of tumour samples are performed in Bristol, Birmingham and Exeter.
The laboratory computer system (part of the integrated hospital system) uses Winpath (Clinisys), but will be moving to EPIC/Beaker in December 2025.
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- To take an equal share with the other consultants in the provision of a comprehensive histopathology and cytopathology reporting service (including work generated by the bowel cancer screening programmes)
- Take an equal share in the provision of the autopsy service. Coroner’s cases are performed at the behest of the coroner. Foetal and paediatric postmortems are performed elsewhere. Hospital post-mortem work is extremely limited, work for H.M. Coroner is extra-contractual and achieved by ‘time-shifting’.
Working for our organisation
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is an Integrated Care Organisation providing acute health care services from Torbay Hospital, community health services and adult social care. The Trust runs Torbay Hospital as well as five community hospitals, stretching from Dawlish to Brixham.
Torbay Hospital is a medium-sized, progressive and innovative District General Hospital providing acute services to South Devon with a 10-bedded Critical Care Unit, six general theatres, three orthopaedic theatres and a day surgery unit. We provide services in most specialties within Torbay but have close working relationships with Royal Devon University Healthcare (Exeter and North Devon) and University Hospitals Plymouth.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- To take an equal share with the other consultants in the provision of a comprehensive histopathology and cytopathology reporting service (including work generated by the bowel cancer screening programmes)
- Take an equal share in the provision of the autopsy service. Coroner’s cases are performed at the behest of the coroner. Foetal and paediatric post-mortems are performed elsewhere. Hospital post-mortem work is extremely limited, work for H.M. Coroner is extra-contractual and achieved by ‘time-shifting’
- To share in the administrative duties of the department. The consultant pathologists take on the post of Head of Department/Budget Holder on a mutually compatible basis. All consultants may apply for the post of Clinical Director of Pathology (a post usually tenable for 3 years). Management arrangements are consistent with the Strategic Review of Pathology Services, notably paragraphs 4.22-4.2
- To share in the running of clinico-pathological meetings on a rota basis.
- To take part in Continuing Professional Development in accordance with Royal College of Pathologist Guidelines.
- To be involved in medical audit, clinical governance and duties relating to UKAS accreditation. There is annual appraisal with an agreed Trust policy, further details are available on request.
- To prepare for and submit for revalidation as required.
- To participate in regional (Wessex and Southwest Histopathology) and National Bowel Cancer Screening EQA schemes, and also any local internal quality control schemes within the department.
- To cover for colleagues if unforeseen short periods of absence arise.
- Opportunities exist to participate in teaching and research. Some teaching of undergraduate medical students is performed for the Peninsula Medical Schools, honorary University Fellowships may be associated with this role. There are no histopathology trainees within the department. Most research carried on within the department is largely in collaboration with colleagues in other disciplines, but facilities within the laboratory, archived material and the possibility of funding from a relatively underused medical research budget is available should more extended research projects be contemplated.
- Patient safety, dignity and care are the highest priority and at the centre of all that we do.
- To provide high quality consultant delivered care to patients including clinical leadership and supervision of junior medical staff, ensuring the highest standards of clinical care are provided to all patients attending the hospital.
- To be proactive in ensuring that all patients receive rapid assessment, treatment and clinical decision making, whilst ensuring our standard to deliver safe quality and performance are delivered and sustained.
- To provide teaching and training at undergraduate and postgraduate level and supervised and train the juniors and specialty doctors. To be proactive the in the department’s clinical governance agenda and take on leadership roles to support continuous learning and improvement, thereby abiding by the clinical and corporate governance policies of the Trust.
- To liaise with clinicians and managers within and outside the department to address any issues arising that may affect the services.
- To participate in relevant audit and quality assurance processes.
- To communicate with local GPs.
You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.
If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply promptly.
- Please read the job description carefully and tailor your application to reflect the requirements of the role.
- Applicants who identify in their application form they are a part of the Armed Forces community will be guaranteed an interview, provided they meet the minimum essential criteria outlined in the job description and person specification for the role. Step into Health guidance can be found on our NHS Employers website.
- Correspondence will be sent via Trac, text, and email. Please ensure you check your email and Trac account regularly.
- Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band.
- If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
- It is your responsibility to ensure the timely receipt of appropriate references.
The Trust is committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity. No person (staff, patient or public) will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.