Consultant Histopathologist - Skin

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, forward-thinking Consultant Histopathologist specialising in skin pathology to join our team of overall 33 consultants at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB). The department is situated on two sites, Queen Elizabeth (QE) and Heartlands Hospital (BHH), covering a large and comprehensive range of diagnostic surgical and cytology work. UHB has close links with the University of Birmingham (UOB) and research and teaching opportunities are encouraged.

The Dermatopathology team at UHB receives an impressive diversity of surgical specimens (in 2023 the department received over 17,000 skin specimens). The post will be primarily based at BHH where the skin specimens include melanocytic and non-melanocytic tumours, other skin cancers and inflammatory skin diseases from clinical dermatologists based at UHB and from primary care. There is also an urgent Teledermatology referral pathway for skin cancers where biopsy or excision specimens are sent following virtual review of skin lesions by the dermatology team. Specialist services generating skin specimens include Mohs micrographic surgery clinics, general inflammatory dermatology clinics generating samples for IMF, hair clinics for various forms of alopecia and genital dermatology clinics. Dissection of skin specimens is supported by advanced BMS/advanced practitioners.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

We anticipate the job plan will comprise ten programmed activities. The only fixed elements of the 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 in detail with the successful candidate upon appointment. The split of DCC to SPA activity will typically be 8.0: 2.0.

It is anticipated the full-time job plan will contain 10 programmed activities worked flexibly by mutual agreement (Appendix 1). These will include 8.0 PAs for direct clinical care and 2.0 SPAs for supporting professional activities. Laboratory duties are carried out on a rota basis by agreement with consultant colleagues. They include 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.

About us

We are recognised as one of the leading NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK. Our vision is to Build Healthier Lives, and we recognise that we need incredible staff to do this.

Our commitment to our staff is to create the best place for them to work, and we are dedicated to:

• Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff, including a commitment of offering flexible working where we can;
• Offering our staff a wide variety of training and development opportunities, to support their personal and career development objectives.

UHB is committed to ensuring that our staff are treated fairly and feel that they belong, by creating a kind and inclusive environment. This is about equity of opportunity; removing all barriers, including discrimination and ensuring each individual member of staff reach their true potential, achieve their ambitions and thrive in their work. This is more than words. We are taking action. Our commitment to an inclusive culture is embedded at all levels of the organisation where every voice is heard, driven by our diverse and active staff networks, and at Board level by the Fairness Taskforce led by our CEO. We nurture a culture which empowers staff to challenge discriminatory behaviours and to enable people to bring their 'whole self' to a kinder, more connected and bold place to work.

University Hospitals Birmingham is a Smoke-Free premises hospital.

Job description

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, a consultant grade microscope, digital pathology equipment and secretarial support will be provided.

Supporting professional activities will include supervision and training of Regional Histopathology Trainees, teaching (undergraduate and postgraduate), research, audit and continuing professional development.

Key cancer sites at UHB include skin, gastrointestinal, colorectal, hepato-biliary/pancreas, breast, urological, haemato-lymphoid, head and neck, lung/mesothelioma, bone and soft tissue. The ideal candidates will contribute to two or three subspecialties to provide rota flexibility (although mono-specialism will be considered) and we are particularly looking for consultants in the following areas: skin, GI, bone and soft tissue, cardiac, general, gynae.

You will be supported by strong and experienced specialist reporting teams. The department is involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and is proactive in developing and adopting solutions to maintain high quality sustainable reporting including imminent adoption of digital image reporting, AI assessment technology, automated laboratory processes and scientist dissection.

We advocate "lean principles" and are in the process of implementing a digital pathology solution. Our plans for digital pathology will further underpin successful and efficient flexible working, teaching, and research. Digital Pathology will enable UHB to build on our relationships with Histopathology Departments at other Trusts. We are a fully accredited UKAS Laboratory working to ISO15189.

Applicants must hold Full and Specialist Registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) with a License to Practice (or be eligible for registration within 6 months of date of interview), and Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (or evidence of equivalent qualification). If a newly qualified UK trainee, the applicant must also be a holder of the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or be within six months of award of CCT (or equivalent) by date of interview. Applicants who are non-UK trained will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT.

University Hospitals Birmingham is one of the largest teaching hospital trusts in England, providing services from four acute hospital sites and community locations. Bringing together our hospitals and community services from across region and beyond, we champion collaborative working and transformation, encouraging our 23,500 workforce to pursue their most ambitious goals. We set standards that other Trusts seek to emulate so you'll benefit from a scale of opportunity that is nothing short of extraordinary. We are committed to delivering an inclusive environment with equal opportunities to a workforce whose diversity reflects the communities it serves.

UHB is home to some of the country's leading clinical research institutions, and is dedicated to developing and implementing ground-breaking treatments, technologies, and techniques. We are actively developing relationships with our R&D partners such as University of Birmingham.

Our vision is to build healthier lives by delivering the best in clinical care, research, innovation, and education. We are also fully committed to tackling climate change by reducing our impact and are part of the national aim to be the world's first "net zero" National Health Service. Our strategy champions our actions and aims, with ways to share excellent ideas that will deliver greener, cleaner communities for the people of Birmingham and Solihull.

Birmingham is in the heart of England with easy access to the motorway network and a good railway service. Birmingham is accessible from several nearby areas including Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Worcestershire. As the second city, Birmingham is youthful and vibrant with all the amenities and entertainment expected of a modern European city. Tailored to suit every taste and budget, whatever your plans and expectations, Birmingham has something to offer you which cannot fail to please, from theatre to live music to world class sporting activities.

Surrounded by a collection of picturesque towns and villages, there is always plenty of scope for exploring the County. Numerous sport and leisure venues, theatres, parks, and great shopping facilities make Birmingham an ideal place to work and live. It is still a lot cheaper to live and work in Birmingham than in London and when it comes to getting on the property ladder you get a lot more for your money. The city has miles of canals and modern architecture. It is a city renowned for the arts, music and festivals celebrating a vibrant multi-cultural and diverse population. There are more Michelin star restaurants than in any other City outside of London, an abundance of green spaces and parks that make Birmingham an exciting place to live and work.

We support a healthy work-life balance by offering flexible working opportunities and working from home.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• 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.

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 UK Visas and Immigration website.

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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Professional Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.