Locum Consultant Histopathologist

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Bedford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in England seeks a Consultant Histopathologist on a full-time locum contract. The role involves histopathological reporting, tissue dissection, and representing the department in multidisciplinary meetings. Candidates should have strong competencies in immunohistochemistry and the ability to manage a growing workload. The Trust is committed to staff training and development, ensuring high-quality patient care and diversity in recruitment. Closing date is Tuesday, 13 January 2026.

Benefits

Access to high-quality training and development

Commitment to equality and diversity

Qualifications

• Experience in histopathological reporting and tissue dissection required.
• Familiarity with immunohistochemistry techniques is advantageous.
• Ability to represent the department in multidisciplinary meetings.

Responsibilities

• Perform histopathological reporting and tissue dissection.
• Lead specialist discussions in designated multidisciplinary meetings.
• Manage a growing surgical pathology workload efficiently.

Skills

Histopathological reporting

Tissue dissection

Immunohistochemistry

Job description

This is a whole-time (10 PA) post to be offered on a full-time locum contract. Any applicant who is unable for personal reasons, to work full-time will be eligible to be considered for the post. If such a person is appointed, modification of the job content will be discussed on a personal basis with the Trust in consultation with consultant colleagues.

The main duties of the job are those of a Consultant Histopathologist, including, tissue dissection histopathological reporting, representing the department as a specialist lead at designated multidisciplinary meetings.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

The numbers of specimens per case, blocks and slides are increasing. This reflects the increase in complexity of the work undertaken in the department. Immunohistochemistry has similarly risen sharply.

Approximately 20% of the surgical pathology workload comes from General Practice. The surgical pathology work from the hospital (biopsies and resections) reflects the clinical speciality mix of the hospital.

The case mix is typical of a district general hospital. The department provides a histopathology service for the NHS bowel cancer screening, cervical screening and breast screening service. A good repertoire of antibodies is available for immunohistochemistry at both sites, with less commonly used antibodies referred out to specialist centres for staining.

This advert closes on Tuesday 13 Jan 2026