Earn £140,000 Per Year As a Consultant in The UK

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, headquartered in Taunton, England, has undergone significant transformations to enhance healthcare delivery in Somerset. The Trust’s origins trace back to the establishment of Musgrove Park Hospital, which began as the 67th General Hospital commissioned by the U.S. Army in 1941 during World War II. Post-war, it transitioned to the National Health Service (NHS) in 1951, serving as a general hospital. In April 2020, a pivotal merger occurred between Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, integrating acute hospital services with community and mental health services.

Further consolidation happened in April 2023 when the Trust merged with Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, creating a unified organization that provides comprehensive healthcare services across the county.
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The Trust operates several key healthcare facilities, with Musgrove Park Hospital being the largest. Established in 1941 as a U.S. Army General Hospital, it became part of the NHS in 1951. The hospital has evolved over the decades, adding significant facilities like the Queen’s Building in 1987 and the Duchess Building in 1995, enhancing its capacity to provide a wide range of medical services.

Another notable facility is Yeovil Hospital, which originated from a general dispensary established in 1858 and evolved through various iterations before the current hospital was opened in 1973. These facilities, along with others under the Trust’s management, play a crucial role in delivering acute, community and mental health services to the Somerset population.

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As an NHS Foundation Trust, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust operates within the public sector, funded by the UK government and accountable to NHS England and the local community. The Trust is led by a Chief Executive Officer and governed by a Board of Directors, including Non-Executive Directors who provide strategic oversight. The Trust employs approximately 14,000 staff members making it one of the largest employers in the region.

Its comprehensive service provision includes acute hospital care, mental health services, community health services and a significant portion of primary care services, reflecting its commitment to integrated healthcare delivery.

Salary Range

£105,504 – £139,882 per annum

Job Type

Permanent
Full-time

Work Schedule

Includes overtime options

Location

Taunton, Somerset (TA1 5DA)

Employee Benefits

The role includes several benefits designed to support work-life balance and career development:

Annual leave entitlement
Company pension scheme
Employee discount programs
UK visa sponsorship available
Hybrid work options (Work from home, subject to agreement)

Application Deadline

Closing Date: 18th March 2025

Job Summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is actively recruiting for a Consultant in Histopathology to join its highly skilled team. This opportunity arises as a replacement for a retiring consultant. The selected candidate will work closely with eight consultant colleagues and one specialist-grade professional to ensure the delivery of a high-quality, cost-efficient cellular pathology service.

Responsibilities for this role primarily involve working within cellular pathology and contributing to multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings. The expected workload covers up to 8 Programmed Activities (PAs), which may extend to 9 PAs if an additional session is accepted.

Additional responsibilities include:

Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
External Quality Assurance (EQA) and audit work
Attending required training
Overseeing clinical governance initiatives
Engaging in job planning, appraisals and preparation for related activities

Flexible scheduling is available, ensuring that duties align with a mutually agreed work plan and daily roster.

Remote Work Option: Some work-from-home opportunities may be available upon agreement with the Clinical Lead.

Teaching & Training: The role involves providing training and contributing to clinical audit programs both within the department and across associated institutions.

Base Hospital

The consultant’s primary workplace will be Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Musgrove Park Hospital. However, occasional cross-county service coverage for Yeovil District Hospital may be required.

Core Responsibilities & Required Skills

Department Overview

The pathology department provides services to:

Local NHS Trust hospitals
Community-based treatment centers
General Practices across Somerset

The department follows a subspecialist model where larger specimens and specific biopsies are assigned to dedicated consultants who also oversee related MDT discussions.

Key Duties

Rotational Schedule: Responsibilities are distributed among consultants on a rotating basis to ensure balanced workloads.
Post-Mortem Work & Cytology: Some consultants may opt out of performing post-mortem examinations and non-gynae cytology duties.
Overtime Compensation: Any backlog or extra workload outside standard contracted hours will be compensated through additional paid activities.
Workload Allocation System: Performance will be assessed using the Royal College of Pathologists’ 2024 guidelines (“Staffing and Workload for Cellular Pathology Departments – Ref: G107”). Work exceeding the agreed threshold is eligible for additional payment.

Why Join Somerset NHS Foundation Trust?

The Trust values employee well-being and professional growth offering a range of benefits to enhance both professional and personal life:

Flexible working arrangements to accommodate work-life balance
Comprehensive NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
Competitive annual leave allowance to ensure proper rest and relaxation
Professional development programs to help employees achieve career goals

Additionally, employees receive exclusive perks such as:

Blue Light Card membership for discounts on shopping, dining and leisure activities
Access to NHS-specific benefits to support both workplace and personal well-being

Why Choose Somerset?

Somerset is an ideal place to live and work offering:

A mix of countryside and coastal attractions
Proximity to major cities like Bristol, Bath and Exeter
Affordable housing and excellent educational institutions
Easy access to London (approximately two-hour drive)

This region provides the perfect balance between peaceful rural living and urban convenience, making it a great location for career development and personal life.

Detailed Job Description

Primary Responsibilities

Delivering high-quality diagnostics in histopathology and cytology
Managing histology and cytology cases in collaboration with hospital teams
Ensuring compliance with Trust policies and procedures
Supervising junior doctors, coordinating their teaching schedules and professional development activities
Providing mentorship to trainees, conducting appraisals and addressing any performance-related concerns
Participating in medical student education within the department
Leading and supervising audit initiatives to maintain high clinical quality standards
Undertaking continuous professional development (CPD)
Engaging in quality assurance (QA) schemes related to histology and subspecialties
Contributing to service improvement projects to enhance patient care
Conducting research as agreed upon with the Clinical Lead
Handling administrative responsibilities related to patient care and departmental management
Providing cover for absent colleagues and responding to emergency situations when necessary
Ensuring completion of all required training programs
Participating in annual appraisals and performance reviews

Eligibility Criteria & Qualifications

Essential Requirements

General Medical Council (GMC) registration with a license to practice in the UK
Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register (or expected Certificate of Completion of Training [CCT] within six months of the interview)
Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

Higher degree or additional specialist diploma

Experience Requirements

Comprehensive expertise in general histopathology and non-gynae cytology
Understanding of clinical risk management
Experience working independently without direct supervision

Desirable Experience

Specialist interest in histopathology
Experience conducting Coroner’s post-mortem examinations and attending inquests
Demonstrated leadership in mentoring junior clinical staff

Additional Selection Criteria

Essential Qualities

Ability to prioritize patient care needs
Self-awareness regarding professional limitations
Proven involvement in clinical audits
Willingness to contribute to departmental management and service development
Demonstrated teaching experience

Desirable Attributes

Exposure to diverse teaching methods
Advanced qualification in medical education
Prior management experience in a clinical setting

Additional Information

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check

This role falls under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring applicants to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applicants needing a Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship to work in the UK will be considered.

Additional UK Visa Requirements (Post-April 2017):

Applicants must provide a criminal record certificate from any country they have resided in for 12 months or more within the last 10 years.
Adult dependents of applicants (aged 18+) must also provide criminal record certificates.

Further details on criminal record checks for international applicants can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Professional Registration Requirement

Applicants must have valid UK professional registration. More details can be found on the NHS Careers website.

Application Assistance Contact:

For further queries, applicants may contact:
Dr. Surabhi Agrawalsurabhi.agrawal@somersetft.nhs.uk