Consultant Pathologist

Transformation Unit; Ashford; Hybrid; GBP 114,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Parking on site

Job summary

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Consultant pathologist to lead and contribute to a comprehensive cellular pathology service at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

The post requires GMC specialist registration and RCPath fellowship or equivalent, with willingness to engage in sub‑specialty areas such as skin, lung, genitourinary and head & neck pathology, and to participate in education and multidisciplinary activities.

Qualifications

• Full GMC Registration on the specialist register or within six months of CCT.
• Subspecialty interests in skin, lung, genitourinary, and head & neck pathology.
• Experience as a pathologist in an NHS Trust at specialist grade or above.
• Independently reporting in an NHS setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide high‑quality clinical service and leadership within Cellular Pathology.
• Lead or participate in MDTs and clinical audits.
• Support education and postgraduate teaching within the department.
• Share service provision across sites and rota duties.

Skills

Subspecialty interest: skin

Subspecialty interest: lung

Subspecialty interest: genitourinary

Subspecialty interest: head & neck

Leadership experience

Education

GMC Registration on specialist register or within 6 months of CCT

Tools

Digital pathology validation

Job description

Employer East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site William Harvey Hospital Town Ashford Salary £113,565 - £150,569 Per annun Salary period Yearly Closing 08/10/2026 08:00 Interview date 16/10/2026

Consultant

Job overview

Pathology provides a full microbiology, clinical biochemistry, immunology, haematology, blood transfusion, laboratory haemophilia, and cellular pathology service to the patients of EKUHFT, general practitioners, community healthcare and private hospitals in east Kent.

The major proportion of blood science analyses, including all work arising from primary care, takes place in purpose-built facilities on the WHH site.

East Kent Hospitals is participating in the Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP) for Kent and Medway to develop an integrated pathology service across the county.

East Kent Hospitals is participating in the Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP) for Kent and Medway to develop an integrated pathology service across the county. Digital pathology for reporting of diagnostic work is being implemented with several consultants validated to report digitally.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will have full GMC registration, will be a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists or equivalent, and be on the Specialist Register or within six months of receiving the certificate of completion of training (CCT) at the time of the interview.

The general responsibilities of the post will be those expected of a senior clinical employee of the Trust. These include provision of a first class clinical service, effective leadership to all staff involved in supporting the service, conducting clinical practice in accordance with the highest ethical standards, support for other clinical specialties and contribution to education and post graduate teaching.

The post holder will be expected to share the provision of service for East Kent with the other consultants. This is arranged on a fortnightly rota basis and involves duties primarily at the WHH with MDM cover to other sites either in person or via videoconferencing. The post holder will be accountable to the Head of Service for Cellular Pathology who has overall responsibility for providing the service as agreed with the Clinical Director of Pathology and Medical Director.

Working for our organisation

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with three acute hospitals and community sites serving a local population of around 700,000. We also provide specialist services for Kent and Medway.

We’re on an exciting journey of transformation. With a new Medical School at the centre of our community, a focus on research, clinical leadership and making our trust a rewarding and friendly place to work, there’s never been a better time to join us.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

It is desirable to have a sub-specialty interest in one or more of the following: skin, lung , genitourinary, and head and neck pathology. The post-holder will also be given flexibility within the existing structure

to develop further sub-specialist interests.

• Participate as an active member of the East Kent Cellular Pathology Service and contribute to overall service provision, planning and development.
• Develop sub-specialty interest(s) as part of planned and agreed service development. Each sub-specialist area has a nominated Lead Pathologist and one or more deputies. Currently there is sub-specialist reporting of Lung, Skin, Head and Neck, Lymphoid, Endocrine, Lower and Upper GI, Breast, Gynae, Urology, Liver, Soft Tissue, Gynae and Non Gynae Cytology.
• Participate in Multidisciplinary Meetings which support specialty cancer services, becoming responsible for quality assurance in the relevant specialties.
• Participate in clinical audit. Internal audit takes place on a regular basis and there are appropriate facilities and secretarial support. Cellular pathology participates in external quality assurance schemes (EQA) for gynaecological cytopathology, breast screening pathology and general histopathology, Head &Neck pathology, bowel cancer screening, and gastrointestinal. The post holder would be expected to participate in the specialist EQAs required for this post. Periodic audit meetings are held with clinicians and within the department.

For full details, please see the Job Description & Person Specification.

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

• Full GMC Registration on the specialist register or within 6 months of CCT and for international doctors applying through the portfolio pathway, paperwork submitted
• Subspecialty interest in one or more of: skin, lung genitourinary, and head and neck pathology

Skills and experience

• The applicant is expected to have experience of working as a pathologist in an NHS Trust at specialist grade or above with at least 6 months of independent reporting.
• Independently presenting MDMs
• The applicant is expected to have experience of working as a pathologist in an NHS Trust at consultant level
• Evidence of digital pathology validation

Other requirements

• Willing to work as part of a team with flexibility and to take on managerial roles after initial period as required
• Willingness for flexible on-site, hot-desking and remote working

There are lots of great opportunities at East Kent Hospitals, where staff are caring and put patients first, innovation flourishes and you can develop your career. We’re on an exciting journey of transformation. With a local Medical School at the centre of our community, a focus on research, clinical leadership and making our trust a rewarding and friendly place to work,
there’s never been a better time to join us. To find out more about east Kent visit our website . The Trust fully supports the SAS Doctors Charter and is committed to their development through its CPD Framework.

We have a relocation policy for eligible candidates, parking available at Trust sites but we encourage other options, like car sharing or public transport.

The Trust is committed to supporting flexible working to fulfil our pledge as part of The Trust’s People Strategy to help staff to achieve a healthy work/life balance. Please speak with your Recruiting Manager for further information on how this can be managed alongside department expectations and requirements.

The ability to converse easily and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for all customer facing roles.

Most positions require a Disclosure and Barring check and will be exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Posts working regularly or unsupervised with children or vulnerable adults require an enhanced check.

Applicants for eligible roles requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship must meet UK Visas and Immigration eligibility criteria.

We operate a no-smoking policy on all our sites and grounds.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Dr Casey Powell Job title Deputy Head of Service of Cellular Pathology Email address [e-mail] Additional information

Please contact Cellular Pathology office on
01233 616016 [direct dial] or 01233 633331 Ext 723-4237.