Consultant in Cellular Pathology

Northampton General Hospital; Northampton; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Northampton is seeking an experienced Consultant in Cellular Pathology to deliver diagnostic excellence. The role involves clinical leadership, service development, and mentoring future pathologists, requiring full GMC registration and a CCT in Histo / Cellular Pathology. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to quality improvement and possess substantial NHS experience.

Qualifications

• Must hold full GMC registration with a licence to practise.
• Proven track record in diagnostic histopathology and cytopathology.
• Experience with UKAS accreditation and ISO standards.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a comprehensive Cellular Pathology diagnostic service.
• Provide clinical leadership in MDT meetings and strategy development.
• Contribute to service development and planning.

Skills

Leadership Skills

Communication Skills

High level Organisational Skills

Education

Full licence to practise with the General Medical Council (GMC)

CCT in Histo / Cellular Pathology or equivalent

Job description

Overview

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 Need
You\'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 Offer
We\'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 o Compassion o Accountability o Respect o Integrity o 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.

Job description & responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further information regarding this role.

Qualifications

Essential

• Applicants that are UK trained, must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview.
• Applicants that are UK trained, must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview.
• Applicants that are non-UK trained, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
• Full licence to practise with the General Medical Council (GMC)

Desirable

• MD, PhD / higher degree

Skills

Essential

• Leadership Skills
• Communication Skills
• High level Organisational Skills

Experience

Essential

• 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

Desirable

• Publications in recognized medical or scientific journals
• Research projects relating to specialty

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 .

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Employer details

Employer name
Northampton General Hospital

Address
Northampton General Hospital
Cliftonville
Northampton
NN1 5BD

Employer\'s website