Consultant in Cellular Pathology

NHS; Northampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Northampton is seeking a Consultant in Cellular Pathology to drive diagnostic excellence and quality. This role involves clinical leadership, service development, and mentoring. Candidates should have full GMC registration and significant experience in diagnostic histopathology. This position supports professional development and innovation within a collaborative team as part of a larger hospital group.

Qualifications

• Substantial UK NHS experience in diagnostic histopathology and cytopathology.
• Confidence in leading MDTs and undertaking complex case reviews.
• Experience with UKAS accreditation and ISO standards.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a comprehensive Cellular Pathology diagnostic service.
• Provide clinical leadership in MDT meetings.
• Support teaching and supervision of medical students and trainees.

Skills

Leadership Skills

Communication Skills

High level Organisational Skills

Education

Full GMC registration with a licence to practise

CCT in Histo / Cellular Pathology or within six months of award

Job description

We're seeking an innovative and motivated clinical leader to drive diagnostic excellence, quality, and innovation within our high-performing Cellular Pathology department. This is an exciting opportunity to combine advanced clinical practice with strategic leadership--shaping patient pathways, influencing service development, and mentoring the next generation of pathologists.

What You'll NeedYou'll hold full GMC registration with a licence to practise and a CCT in Histo / Cellular Pathology (or be within six months of award). You'll bring substantial UK NHS experience, with a proven track record in diagnostic histopathology and cytopathology. You'll demonstrate confidence in leading MDTs, undertaking complex case reviews, and contributing to clinical governance and audit. Experience with UKAS accreditation and ISO standards is essential, along with a strong commitment to quality improvement, teaching, and professional development.

What's on OfferWe're offering a substantive Consultant post with the opportunity for suitable candidates to take on Clinical Lead responsibilities supported by dedicated PAs within a 10-12 PA job plan. You'll lead a team dedicated to diagnostic excellence, training, and innovation--contributing to digital pathology development, service transformation, and workforce growth. You'll collaborate with service managers, laboratory teams, and quality leads to uphold outstanding performance, turnaround times, and governance in line with national standards.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver a comprehensive Cellular Pathology diagnostic service, including specimen cut-up, reporting, frozen sections, and participation in daily workload allocation.
• Provide clinical leadership in MDT meetings, audit, governance, and strategy development across the Trust and wider Group.
• Participate in and provide internal cross-cover, including potential involvement in the autopsy service (subject to HM Coroner approval).
• Ensure compliance with UKAS accreditation, NEQAS programmes, and Trust clinical governance standards.
• Support teaching and supervision of medical students, trainees, and scientific staff, including involvement in education programmes and clinical training.
• Contribute to service development, planning, and innovation, including assessing new methods and supporting external service-level agreements.
• Attend departmental and service line meetings, contribute to management tasks, and monitor service performance and quality indicators.
• Uphold high standards of data management and confidentiality, ensuring compliance with Data Protection and Freedom of Information regulations.

About us

Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

• Compassion
• Accountability
• Respect
• Integrity
• Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Equal Opportunities

The Hospital Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Full licence to practise with the General Medical Council (GMC)
• Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview.

Skills

• Leadership Skills
• Communication Skills
• High level Organisational Skills

Experience

• Wide knowledge and experience of histopathology, morbid anatomy, and cytology
• Experience of Audit in Pathology
• Interest in Teaching Junior Staff
• Established (or willing to develop a) subspecialist interest to complement interests of other consultants in the department