Provision of subspecialist pathology service:

The details of the job plan will be subject to discussion with the clinical leads. An expected 10 PAs will typically be split 9DCC to 1SPA for a short term locum role.  The direct clinical care activities principally include microscopic reporting, macroscopic specimen dissection (increasingly, supervision of scientist led dissection), multidisciplinary team meetings, frozen section cover and option for rapid on-site assessment in cytology clinics.  Slides are allocated using a web based workload management system (SAINTS), developed in-house and based on the RCPath points system to an annualised job plan. The other DCC duties are carried out by rota agreed with the reporting pathologists within each subspecialist team.

As a locum replacement post, you will be joining established subspecialised teams of consultant pathologists, with some flexibility regarding specialties of interest.  There are opportunities to be involved in one or more of lung pathology, gynaecology pathology, breast pathology, skin pathology, GI and HPB pathology.  You will be working within a wider cellular pathology team comprising 23 adult histopathologist covering all subspecialities aside from medical renal biopsies and cardiovascular pathology, four paediatric pathologists and two neuropathology colleagues.

Microscopic reporting is performed via light microscopy, digital pathology (UKAS ISO15189 2022 accredited) or a combination. Once digitally validated, some proportion of work can be delivered remotely. Networked high-end digital reporting equipment, including voice recognition software, will be provided in a dedicated space within the department. Microscope will be provided along with access to shared departmental resources including multiheaded microscopes and digital power walls for teaching and training purposes.  Secretarial support with trust departmental induction will be available.

It is anticipated that you will contribute to the majority of the aspects of this service. A job plan will be agreed with you prior to taking up the post. The work rota will be determined by discussion between you, existing consultants, and the departmental Clinical Leads.  The final Job Plan is submitted for sign-off by the Clinical Lead and the Divisional Clinical Director. This will include a share in the cover arrangements for colleagues during absence or annual leave. Except in an emergency, the post holder must fulfil these commitments unless the Department Clinical Lead and/or Divisional Clinical Director have agreed otherwise.

There will be opportunity to contribute to the postmortem service.  The department boasts a state-of-the-art mortuary with general adult, paediatric and neuropathology postmortem expertise delivering both coroner’s and hospital postmortem work.

Teaching and training:

There is opportunity to contribute to the training of resident doctors of various grades within the Wessex deanery. This includes supervision during DCC activities on a rotational basis and provision of dedicated teaching/training sessions.

There is also the opportunity for involvement with teaching/training of specialist reporting/scientific dissection biomedical scientists.

EQA and CPD:

Within the expected 1 PA’s of SPA provision for specialist EQA is will be provided.  The trust supports CPD activity.