• Job Description

  Req#: C9196-25-1204?language=en&page=367&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  The Department of Cellular Pathology is seeking a full-time (10 PA) or part-time (8PA) consultant to join a dynamic and supportive team of colleagues. The post holder must have a demonstrable major interest in lung pathology and cytopathology with a current diagnostic cytology and lung pathology practice. The department is involved in many exciting initiatives and we are looking for an individual with appropriate skills to complement the teams and keep the service at the forefront of clinical and academic excellence. The laboratory has full UKAS/ISO accreditation status.

  Main place of employment:

  This post will include working at both Guy's and the St Thomas' sites. However, it is a requirement of your employment that you be prepared to work at any additional or different location owned or served by the trust, either on an on-going or temporary basis according to the demands of the service.

  Main duties of the job

  The post holder will be accountable to the Clinical Lead in Cellular Pathology.

  Specialist Interest

  The Department operates a system of specialist reporting, each consultant having one or more special interests, which facilitates dealing with difficult cases and enhances patient care in accordance with Calman-Hine recommendations.

  The specialist interests of this post are lung pathology and cytopathology. Cytopathology will form the main workload (4.5-5 PAs) with diagnostic lung pathology comprising the minor component (3.5-4 PAs).

  Please refer to full job description for more details

  About us

  Cellular Pathology Department

  The Department of Cellular Pathology provides services to Guy's & St Thomas' Hospitals, local general practitioners in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham Strategic Health Authority and local Coroners. It is a major cancer and infection referral centre. The main Cellular Pathology Department is located at St Thomas' Hospital, 2nd Floor North Wing.

  As an organisation, we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This includes asking certain groups of staff to work more flexibly so that we can offer services to patients in the evenings and at weekends. We regard this flexibility as essential if we are to continue to provide first class patient care in the future. As a result, any offer of employment to a consultant post will be subject to you agreeing to work a new more flexible pattern of working in the future if required and in accordance with the provisions of the new Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust consultant contract.

  Details

  Date posted

  03 July 2025

  Pay scheme

  Hospital medical and dental staff

  Grade

  Consultant

  Salary

  £105,504 to £139,882 a year p.a excl. London Zone (Pro rata)

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time

  Reference number

  196-CON1049

  Job locations

  St Thomas' Hospital

  London

  SE1 7EH

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Diagnostic Cytopathology:

  The department has an established FNA service (approx. 3000 cases annually) including EBUS & EUS FNA with onsite provisional reporting by consultant cytopathologists. A palpable FNA service is also provided by the cytopathologists in clinics, wards and theatres, which is requested through the cytology office and Epic. The cytology team provides an FNA service with Rapid Onsite Evaluation (ROSE) every working day at Guys & St Thomas sites to cover Navigational bronchoscopy, head & neck, melanoma, haematology and other rapid access clinics including Interventional Radiology.

  At some clinics including Thyroid & other ultrasound guided FNA lists, where a pathologist is not in attendance, cytology Biomedical Scientists (BMS) assist radiologists in the assessment of sample adequacy by ROSE.

  Other types of exfoliative cytology specimens (fluids, urine, washings and brushings) are also received in the department.

  The Andrology service receives approx. 3600 specimens annually and is signed off by trained BMS staff with clinical oversight by the lead cytopathologist.

  Cervical cytology and colposcopy MDMs are delivered by consultant pathologists and BMS at the London hub and is not a requirement for this post.

  Cytology input is provided into the H&N, thyroid, lung, breast, haemato-oncology, gynaecological & gastro-intestinal MDMs. There is a consultant led multi-header teaching session every Monday 1-2pm for trainees and cytology BMS. The consultants are actively involved in teaching and presenting at national and international conferences, and support trainees and new consultants in their career development in Cytopathology.

  Lung pathology:

  The successful candidate will be joining an existing team of 4 substantiative lung consultants and 2 locums. The current lung consultants also have other speciality interests.

  Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust is a specialised thoracic tertiary referral centre and receives referrals from the South East London network and wider including Canterbury and Reading. The histopathology service is currently provided by a team of three consultants. There are six thoracic surgeons based at Guys Hospital, making it one of the largest centres in the UK covering 17 referring hospitals and 14 MDMs. There were over 1400 operative resections in 2024 and frozen sections are relatively frequent. There is a expanding navigational bronchoscopy service of approximately 30 cases per month with plans to expand to 500 per year by the end of 2025 We receive a wide variety of surgical specimens from biopsies to lobectomies and pneumonectomies and well as thymectomies and decortications. There is one MDM a week (Friday 8am).

  We routinely do molecular analysis on our tumours which we integrate into our reports. We provide thoracic tissue for a bank which provides material for research and is of great value to the Academic Health Science Centre and the Biomedical Research Centre. All the clinicians are keen on research and running trials so there is ample opportunity for participation in this.

  We are committed to teaching postgraduate students as well as being involved in the university teaching of undergraduate students.

  Provide High Quality Care to Patients

  The post holder must be medically qualified and maintain GMC specialist registration and hold a licence to practice

  To develop and maintain the competencies required to carry out the duties required of the post.

  To ensure prompt attendance at agreed direct clinical care Programmed Activities.

  To provide expert histopathology and cytopathology services with the object of ensuring a high standard of patient care To participate in the provision of the gastro-intestinal pathology service To participate in clinical and other service activities with the object of ensuring a high standard of patient care

  Research, Teaching and Training

  Where possible to collaborate with academic and clinical colleagues to enhance the Trusts translational research portfolio, at all times meeting the full requirements of Research Governance.

  To provide high quality teaching to medical undergraduates and members of other health care professions as required by the Clinical Director.

  To act as educational supervisor and appraiser as delegated by the Clinical Director to ensure external accreditation of training post.

  Performance Management

  To work with medical, nursing and managerial colleagues to ensure high performance in the following areas:

  Clinical efficiency e.g. LOS reductions, reducing cancelled operations and DNA rates.

  Quality of outcomes e.g. infection control targets, reducing re-admission rates.

  Financial management e.g. identification, implementation and achievement of cost improvement programmes and participating in efforts to ensure services are provided cost effectively e.g. managing locum agency spend, monitoring and managing the drug budget to target, ensuring accuracy of clinical data for the team.

  Operational efficiency e.g. day-case rates, waiting list activity and demand management.

  Medical Staff Management

  To work with colleagues to ensure junior doctors hours are compliant in line with EWTD and New Deal.

  To ensure that adequate systems and procedures are in place to control and monitor leave for junior medical staff and to ensure that there is appropriate cover within the clinical areas, including on-call commitments

  To participate in the recruitment of junior medical staff as and when required.

  To participate in team objective setting as part of the annual job planning cycle.

  To be responsible for the annual appraisal of all doctors in training, Trust doctors, Clinical Fellows and non-consultant grades as delegated by the Clinical Director/General Manager.

  Governance

  To review clinical outcomes in designated area using external benchmarking data where appropriate, to identify and advise variances to the Clinical Director.

  Participate in clinical audit, incident reporting and analysis and to ensure resulting actions are implemented.

  To work closely with the Directorate, Patient and Public Involvement panels in relation to clinical and services developments as delegated by the Clinical Director.

  Participate in ensuring NICE requirements are reviewed and implemented and monitored in the speciality areas.

  To ensure clinical guidelines and protocols are adhered to by junior medical staff and updated on a regular basis.

  To keep fully informed about best practice in the speciality areas and ensure implications for practice changes are discussed with the Clinical Director.

  To role model good practice for infection control to all members of the multidisciplinary team.

  Strategy and Business Planning

  To participate in the business planning and objective setting process for the directorate and Trust where appropriate.

  To represent the Trust at appropriate clinical networks/other external clinical meetings, as delegated by the Clinical Director.

  Leadership and Team Working

  To demonstrate excellent leadership skills with regards to individual performance, clinical teams, the Trust and when participating in national or local initiatives.

  To work collaboratively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and Kings Health Partners as required.

  To chair regular meetings for the specialties.

  To resolve conflict and difficult situations through negotiation and discussion, involving appropriate parties.

  Adhere to Trust/departmental guidelines on leave including reporting absence.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Diagnostic Cytopathology:

  The department has an established FNA service (approx. 3000 cases annually) including EBUS & EUS FNA with onsite provisional reporting by consultant cytopathologists. A palpable FNA service is also provided by the cytopathologists in clinics, wards and theatres, which is requested through the cytology office and Epic. The cytology team provides an FNA service with Rapid Onsite Evaluation (ROSE) every working day at Guys & St Thomas sites to cover Navigational bronchoscopy, head & neck, melanoma, haematology and other rapid access clinics including Interventional Radiology.

  At some clinics including Thyroid & other ultrasound guided FNA lists, where a pathologist is not in attendance, cytology Biomedical Scientists (BMS) assist radiologists in the assessment of sample adequacy by ROSE.

  Other types of exfoliative cytology specimens (fluids, urine, washings and brushings) are also received in the department.

  The Andrology service receives approx. 3600 specimens annually and is signed off by trained BMS staff with clinical oversight by the lead cytopathologist.

  Cervical cytology and colposcopy MDMs are delivered by consultant pathologists and BMS at the London hub and is not a requirement for this post.

  Cytology input is provided into the H&N, thyroid, lung, breast, haemato-oncology, gynaecological & gastro-intestinal MDMs. There is a consultant led multi-header teaching session every Monday 1-2pm for trainees and cytology BMS. The consultants are actively involved in teaching and presenting at national and international conferences, and support trainees and new consultants in their career development in Cytopathology.

  Lung pathology:

  The successful candidate will be joining an existing team of 4 substantiative lung consultants and 2 locums. The current lung consultants also have other speciality interests.

  Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust is a specialised thoracic tertiary referral centre and receives referrals from the South East London network and wider including Canterbury and Reading. The histopathology service is currently provided by a team of three consultants. There are six thoracic surgeons based at Guys Hospital, making it one of the largest centres in the UK covering 17 referring hospitals and 14 MDMs. There were over 1400 operative resections in 2024 and frozen sections are relatively frequent. There is a expanding navigational bronchoscopy service of approximately 30 cases per month with plans to expand to 500 per year by the end of 2025 We receive a wide variety of surgical specimens from biopsies to lobectomies and pneumonectomies and well as thymectomies and decortications. There is one MDM a week (Friday 8am).

  We routinely do molecular analysis on our tumours which we integrate into our reports. We provide thoracic tissue for a bank which provides material for research and is of great value to the Academic Health Science Centre and the Biomedical Research Centre. All the clinicians are keen on research and running trials so there is ample opportunity for participation in this.

  We are committed to teaching postgraduate students as well as being involved in the university teaching of undergraduate students.

  Provide High Quality Care to Patients

  The post holder must be medically qualified and maintain GMC specialist registration and hold a licence to practice

  To develop and maintain the competencies required to carry out the duties required of the post.

  To ensure prompt attendance at agreed direct clinical care Programmed Activities.

  To provide expert histopathology and cytopathology services with the object of ensuring a high standard of patient care To participate in the provision of the gastro-intestinal pathology service To participate in clinical and other service activities with the object of ensuring a high standard of patient care

  Research, Teaching and Training

  Where possible to collaborate with academic and clinical colleagues to enhance the Trusts translational research portfolio, at all times meeting the full requirements of Research Governance.

  To provide high quality teaching to medical undergraduates and members of other health care professions as required by the Clinical Director.

  To act as educational supervisor and appraiser as delegated by the Clinical Director to ensure external accreditation of training post.

  Performance Management

  To work with medical, nursing and managerial colleagues to ensure high performance in the following areas:

  Clinical efficiency e.g. LOS reductions, reducing cancelled operations and DNA rates.

  Quality of outcomes e.g. infection control targets, reducing re-admission rates.

  Financial management e.g. identification, implementation and achievement of cost improvement programmes and participating in efforts to ensure services are provided cost effectively e.g. managing locum agency spend, monitoring and managing the drug budget to target, ensuring accuracy of clinical data for the team.

  Operational efficiency e.g. day-case rates, waiting list activity and demand management.

  Medical Staff Management

  To work with colleagues to ensure junior doctors hours are compliant in line with EWTD and New Deal.

  To ensure that adequate systems and procedures are in place to control and monitor leave for junior medical staff and to ensure that there is appropriate cover within the clinical areas, including on-call commitments

  To participate in the recruitment of junior medical staff as and when required.

  To participate in team objective setting as part of the annual job planning cycle.

  To be responsible for the annual appraisal of all doctors in training, Trust doctors, Clinical Fellows and non-consultant grades as delegated by the Clinical Director/General Manager.

  Governance

  To review clinical outcomes in designated area using external benchmarking data where appropriate, to identify and advise variances to the Clinical Director.

  Participate in clinical audit, incident reporting and analysis and to ensure resulting actions are implemented.

  To work closely with the Directorate, Patient and Public Involvement panels in relation to clinical and services developments as delegated by the Clinical Director.

  Participate in ensuring NICE requirements are reviewed and implemented and monitored in the speciality areas.

  To ensure clinical guidelines and protocols are adhered to by junior medical staff and updated on a regular basis.

  To keep fully informed about best practice in the speciality areas and ensure implications for practice changes are discussed with the Clinical Director.

  To role model good practice for infection control to all members of the multidisciplinary team.

  Strategy and Business Planning

  To participate in the business planning and objective setting process for the directorate and Trust where appropriate.

  To represent the Trust at appropriate clinical networks/other external clinical meetings, as delegated by the Clinical Director.

  Leadership and Team Working

  To demonstrate excellent leadership skills with regards to individual performance, clinical teams, the Trust and when participating in national or local initiatives.

  To work collaboratively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and Kings Health Partners as required.

  To chair regular meetings for the specialties.

  To resolve conflict and difficult situations through negotiation and discussion, involving appropriate parties.

  Adhere to Trust/departmental guidelines on leave including reporting absence.

  Person Specification

  Professional Qualifications

  Essential

  • Full and Specialist registration (and with a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC), or be eligible for registration within six months 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.
  • FRCPath or equivalent.

  Desirable

  • PhD or other Higher Postgraduate degree in Medicine or Science
  • Any additional medical or sub-speciality qualifications either national or international.

  Clinical Experience

  Essential

  • Comprehensive clinical experience in lung histopathology and cytopathology.
  • Proven record of experience as a trainee in histopathology and cytopathology.
  • Continuing and recent diagnostic practice experience in cytopathology as a major specialist interest
  • Continuing and recent diagnostic practice experience in lung pathology as a major specialist interest

  Clinical Skills

  Essential

  • Ability to work as an effective member of a multidisciplinary team.
  • Familiarity with modern morphological and molecular diagnostic techniques

  Desirable

  • Experience in clinical guideline development.

  Audit Management & IT

  Essential

  • Evidence of contribution to effective clinical governance, audit clinical risk management, and IT skills.
  • Understanding of principles of audit.
  • Evidence of understanding of the role of clinical management.

  Desirable

  • Management training or qualification.
  • Evidence of leadership in the development of clinical services.

  Research, Teaching skill & experience

  Essential

  • Understanding of the principles and applications of clinical research.
  • Evidence of original research.
  • Ability to supervise junior staff in diagnostic work.
  • Experience of teaching and training undergraduates, postgraduates and junior medical staff.

  Desirable

  • Appraisal training.
  • Teaching qualification.
  • Evidence of original research and publication in Cytopathology & lung pathology.

  Leadership/Management skills

  Essential

  • Communication; Ability to communicate with clarity and intelligently in written and spoken English; ability to build rapport, listen, persuade/ negotiate.
  • Accountability; Ability to take responsibility, lead, make decisions and exert appropriate authority.
  • Interpersonal Skills; Empathy, understanding, listening skills, patience and ability to work co-operatively with others.
  • Able to change and adapt, respond to changing circumstances and to cope with setbacks or pressure.
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Staff Management; Experience of performance management, developing and motivating staff.
  • Finance; Knowledge of finance and budgets.

  Desirable

  • Previous experience in management positions, e.g. speciality lead, clinical lead, clinical director.

  Person Specification

  Professional Qualifications

  Essential

  • Full and Specialist registration (and with a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC), or be eligible for registration within six months 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.
  • FRCPath or equivalent.

  Desirable

  • PhD or other Higher Postgraduate degree in Medicine or Science
  • Any additional medical or sub-speciality qualifications either national or international.

  Clinical Experience

  Essential

  • Comprehensive clinical experience in lung histopathology and cytopathology.
  • Proven record of experience as a trainee in histopathology and cytopathology.
  • Continuing and recent diagnostic practice experience in cytopathology as a major specialist interest
  • Continuing and recent diagnostic practice experience in lung pathology as a major specialist interest

  Clinical Skills

  Essential

  • Ability to work as an effective member of a multidisciplinary team.
  • Familiarity with modern morphological and molecular diagnostic techniques

  Desirable

  • Experience in clinical guideline development.

  Audit Management & IT

  Essential

  • Evidence of contribution to effective clinical governance, audit clinical risk management, and IT skills.
  • Understanding of principles of audit.
  • Evidence of understanding of the role of clinical management.

  Desirable

  • Management training or qualification.
  • Evidence of leadership in the development of clinical services.

  Research, Teaching skill & experience

  Essential

  • Understanding of the principles and applications of clinical research.
  • Evidence of original research.
  • Ability to supervise junior staff in diagnostic work.
  • Experience of teaching and training undergraduates, postgraduates and junior medical staff.

  Desirable

  • Appraisal training.
  • Teaching qualification.
  • Evidence of original research and publication in Cytopathology & lung pathology.

  Leadership/Management skills

  Essential

  • Communication; Ability to communicate with clarity and intelligently in written and spoken English; ability to build rapport, listen, persuade/ negotiate.
  • Accountability; Ability to take responsibility, lead, make decisions and exert appropriate authority.
  • Interpersonal Skills; Empathy, understanding, listening skills, patience and ability to work co-operatively with others.
  • Able to change and adapt, respond to changing circumstances and to cope with setbacks or pressure.
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Staff Management; Experience of performance management, developing and motivating staff.
  • Finance; Knowledge of finance and budgets.

  Desirable

  • Previous experience in management positions, e.g. speciality lead, clinical lead, clinical director.

  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.

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  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.

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  St Thomas' Hospital

  London

  SE1 7EH

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  St Thomas' Hospital

  London

  SE1 7EH

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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