Consultant Histopathologist

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust; Taunton; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

NHS pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Career development opportunities

Blue Light Card

Job summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Consultant Histopathologist to join the Cellular Pathology team at Yeovil District Hospital. The post combines clinical duties with teaching, audits, and CPD, within a modern digital pathology environment.

Based at Yeovil, the role includes part-time flexibility, relocation support, and a protected SPA time for professional development. The Trust welcomes applications from candidates with a wide range of experience and interests.

Qualifications

• Essential: Full GMC registration and entry onto the GMC specialist register (CCT within 6 months).
• Essential: FRCPath or equivalent.
• Desirable: Relevant higher degree or specialist diploma.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a comprehensive range of histological and/or cytological diagnostic services.
• Take responsibility for the organisation, management, and delivery of histological and/or cytological diagnostic services for patients.
• Ensure full compliance with all Trust policies, procedures, and governance requirements.
• Support education and development of Junior Doctors through teaching and training activities.
• Provide mentorship and coaching to histopathology trainees, including assessments and appraisals.
• Contribute to teaching and training of undergraduate medical students.
• Lead and oversee clinical audits and reporting of Clinical Quality Standards.
• Maintain CPD and participate in QA schemes and research activities.

Education

Full GMC registration

Entry onto GMC specialist register (CCT within 6 months)

FRCPath or equivalent

Job description

We are seeking an enthusiastic and forward thinking Consultant Histopathologist to join our friendly and highly skilled Cellular Pathology team at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. This post offers the opportunity to work within a supportive department of 14 consultants and 2 specialist grade colleagues, providing a comprehensive and efficient cellular pathology service.

Based at Yeovil District Hospital, Yeovil, with access to modern facilities, including a recently installed Cerebro tracking system and a fully digital Philips Intellisite pathology system, advanced laboratory equipment, and excellent administrative support. The role includes participation in a broad portfolio of MDT meetings, with flexibility for home working where agreed.

You will play an active role in teaching, training, and supervising Specialty Registrars, as well as contributing to departmental audit, quality assurance, and service development. The Trust strongly supports professional development, offering protected SPA time, mentorship, and opportunities to develop a specialist interest. Optional participation in hospital and Coroner's postmortems is available.

Working pattern - Monday - Friday 8am-5pm

This post is offered with a standard 10 PA contract however candidates who wish to work part time are welcome to apply and will also be considered.

Relocation package - in line with Trust policy

Target Start Date: January 2027

AAC Interview - TBC

Main duties of the job

Deliver a comprehensive range of histological and/or cytological diagnostic services

Take responsibility for the organisation, management, and delivery of histological and/or cytological diagnostic services for patients,

Ensure full compliance with all Trust policies, procedures, and governance requirements.

Support the education and development of Junior Doctors through the effective planning and coordination of teaching and training activities.

Provide mentorship and coaching to histopathology trainees, including conducting assessments and appraisals and implementing appropriate remedial actions where required.

Contribute to the teaching and training of undergraduate medical students within the department.

Lead and oversee clinical audit projects, actively supporting the development, monitoring, and reporting of Clinical Quality Standards.

Maintain professional competence and expertise through participation in an accredited Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme.

Participate in both general histology quality assurance schemes and specialty-specific quality assurance programmes relevant to their area of practice.

Undertake research activities

Carry out the administrative and budgetary responsibilities associated with patient care and the effective operation of the department.

Provide cross-cover for colleagues during periods of absence and respond to urgent clinical demands and emergencies as required.

Actively engage in the annual appraisal and job planning process.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities

For further details regarding this job role and person specification please refer to the attached job description.

Qualifications

Essential

• Full GMC registration with a licence to practice at time of applying.
• Entry onto GMC specialist register. CCT within 6 months of date of interview for the post
• FRCPath or equivalent

Desirable

• Relevant higher degree or specialist diploma

Experience

Essential

• Wide experience in general histopathology and non-gynae cytology

Desirable

• Evidence of a special interest
• Experience of Coroner's post-mortem work and inquest attendances

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Understanding of clinical risk management
• Experience of clinical risk management
• Competent to work without direct supervision
• Clear logical thinking showing an analytical/scientific approach
• Ability to work within defined procedures
• Willingness to practice evidence based medicine
• Appropriate level of clinical knowledge
• Demonstrates knowledge of evidence informed practice
• Awareness of own limitations
• Demonstrates breadth of awareness of issues
• Ability to prioritize clinical need
• Willingness to contribute to departments teaching and training needs
• Evidence of teaching experience
• Experience in post graduate (particularly multi-disciplinary) teaching and training
• Ability to organise oneself and own work
• Evidence of participation in audit
• Willingness to lead in developing/managing a clinical area
• Understanding of NHS clinical governance & resource constraints (management, financial, committee work)
• Progression of career consistent with personal circumstances
• Ability to communicate with clarity and intelligibility in written and spoken English
• Ability to build rapport, listen, persuade, negotiate
• Leadership skills (take responsibility, decisiveness, exert appropriate authority)
• Empathise with patients
• Evidence of being a successful team player (work co-operatively and collaboratively with others)
• Ability to adopt a non judgemental approach to patients and colleagues regardless of their sexuality, ethnicity, disability, religious beliefs or financial status
• Ability to adapt to change in working practices and new circumstances
• Ability to operate under pressure (resilient to set backs, self aware)
• Demonstrate strong organisational skills through personal discipline/commitment, meeting deadlines, etc)
• Demonstrate enthusiasm, high levels of motivation and initiative
• Ability to display integrity, respect, confidentiality and is aware of ethical dilemmas
• Meets professional health requirements

Desirable

• Ability to mentor both medical and non medical clinical staff
• Exposure to different groups/teaching methods
• Higher qualification in medical education
• Management experience
• Research experience (presentations, prizes, honours)
• Experience in the development and implementation of guidelines