Locum Consultant Histopathologist – Breast

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

Job summary

A major NHS foundation trust in Birmingham is seeking a Locum Consultant Histopathologist specializing in breast pathology for a 12-month contract. This role includes supporting breast screening services and collaborating within a skilled team committed to improving cancer care. Applicants are required to hold GMC registration and relevant specialist qualifications. The position offers flexible working options and focuses on both clinical and teaching responsibilities, including research and supervision of trainees.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Support for professional development

Qualifications

• Applicants must hold Full and Specialist Registration with the General Medical Council with a License to Practice.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive diagnostic histopathology service.
• Conduct laboratory duties on a rota basis.
• Supervise and train Regional Histopathology Trainees.
• Engage in research, audit, and continuing professional development.

Skills

Diagnostic histopathology services

Supervision and training of trainees

Research and audit

Teaching (undergraduate and postgraduate)

Education

GMC Registration or equivalent

Specialist Register or CCT within 6 months

Higher specialist training in area relevant to post

Job description

Locum Consultant Histopathologist – Breast

The closing date is 18 December 2025

An opportunity has arisen for a Consultant Histopathologist with a breast subspecialty to join University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) on a 12-month fixed‑term contract. The role includes supporting breast screening and symptomatic services, with opportunities to contribute to other key cancer sites. While subspecialty flexibility is preferred, mono‑specialism will be considered.

You'll join a strong, experienced team in a department committed to innovation, research, expansion of scientist reporting, automated processes, and digital pathology. The department is involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and is proactive in developing and adopting solutions to deliver a high‑quality service. We are a UKAS‑accredited lab (ISO15189) with close ties to the University of Birmingham.

Applicants must hold (or be eligible within 6 months) Full and Specialist Registration with the General Medical Council with a License to Practice and Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (or evidence of equivalent qualification). Newly qualified UK trainees must have or be within 6 months of holding the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) Award. Non‑UK trained applicants must demonstrate CCT equivalence.

UHB is one of England's largest teaching trusts, delivering inclusive, high‑quality care across four acute sites. We are committed to sustainability, aiming to support the NHS's net‑zero goals. Staff wellbeing is a priority, with flexible and remote working options available.

Main duties of the job

We anticipate that the job plan will comprise ten programmed activities. Fixed elements of direct clinical care activities for Consultant Histopathologists are the MDT meetings relating to areas of specialist histopathology reporting. The flexible elements of the direct clinical care activities (which include the majority of laboratory duties) and the supporting professional activities will be discussed with the successful candidate upon appointment. The split of DCC to SPA activity will typically be 8.5:1.5.

• Laboratory duties are carried out on a rota basis by agreement with consultant colleagues, including the provision of a comprehensive diagnostic histopathology service for the Trust.
• Division of the cytopathology workload will be organised in agreement with other consultant colleagues in the department. It is anticipated that existing consultants will continue to have an input into the cytology service in line with areas of specialist histopathology reporting. Other appointees may be required to contribute to the cytopathology service in a similar manner.
• Supporting professional activities will include supervision and training of Regional Histopathology Trainees, teaching (undergraduate and postgraduate), research, audit and continuing professional development.
• The post holder will be provided with the necessary IT equipment and access to training to be in position to meet these objectives. Office space and secretarial support will be provided.

About us

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long‑term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.

Job responsibilities

For further details about the Locum Consultant Histopathologist – Breast vacancy please see attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• GMC Registration or equivalent
• Inclusion on Specialist Register or CCT within 6 months.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
• Higher specialist training in area relevant to post.

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.

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust