Job Description

Band 8a: 55,690 - 62,682
Hours: 37.5 per week
Permanent contract
Why should you join us
Join a friendly, highly skilled Cellular Pathology team at the Pathology Centre, Queen Alexandra Hospital, and train towards consultantlevel practice in dermatopathology. Youll do meaningful, handson work with real clinical impact, learn from experienced Consultant Histopathologists, and play a visible role in patient care across the region.
Main duties of the job

• Work at trainee consultant level, developing specialist reporting skills in dermatopathology under a supportive Consultant Histopathologist team.
• Highimpact role contributing to a department processing 40,000 tests pa and supporting regional/supraregional work.
• Access to structured development: Management Essentials and Leadership Insights programmes, protected CPD time and opportunities to lead R&D, audits and service developments.
• Hands-on experience with advanced microscopy, digital pathology imaging and complex specimen dissection, plus involvement in MDTs and policy/service design.

About us
Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Details
Date posted
24 October 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
55,690 to 62,682 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
REF1776O
Job locations
Queen Alexandra Hospital
Cosham
PO6 3LY
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key responsibilities

• Train and report defined dermatopathology caseloads consistent with RCPath competencies, under Consultant supervision.
• Provide specialist analytical and advisory input to clinical teams and participate in MDTs.
• Support technical staff management, training and appraisal; supervise specimen dissection and mentor junior staff and advanced practitioners.
• Lead and contribute to clinical audit, research and service development; support ISO15189 and other regulatory compliance.
• Assist with quality management, equipment procurement/evaluation and laboratory informatics activities.

What we offer

• A collaborative, patientcentred clinical environment and the chance to shape a specialist service.
• Formal leadership and management training, protected time for CPD, and opportunities to present scientific work nationally/internationally.
• Involvement in service development, procurement decisions and quality improvement across the department.
• Supportive mentorship from Consultant Histopathologists and experienced Band 7+ BMS colleagues.

Who were looking for

• HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist with a BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent and substantial practical experience.
• MSc, FIBMS, IBMS advanced practice diploma, DipRCPath or working towards relevant specialist qualifications.
• Strong technical skills in complex dissection and histopathology reporting, with excellent attention to detail.
• Confident communicator who enjoys teaching, working in MDTs and building positive relationships across teams.
• Someone curious, collaborative and keen to grow into a consultantlevel role.

Job description
Job responsibilities
Key responsibilities

• Train and report defined dermatopathology caseloads consistent with RCPath competencies, under Consultant supervision.
• Provide specialist analytical and advisory input to clinical teams and participate in MDTs.
• Support technical staff management, training and appraisal; supervise specimen dissection and mentor junior staff and advanced practitioners.
• Lead and contribute to clinical audit, research and service development; support ISO15189 and other regulatory compliance.
• Assist with quality management, equipment procurement/evaluation and laboratory informatics activities.

What we offer

• A collaborative, patientcentred clinical environment and the chance to shape a specialist service.
• Formal leadership and management training, protected time for CPD, and opportunities to present scientific work nationally/internationally.
• Involvement in service development, procurement decisions and quality improvement across the department.
• Supportive mentorship from Consultant Histopathologists and experienced Band 7+ BMS colleagues.

Who were looking for

• HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist with a BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent and substantial practical experience.
• MSc, FIBMS, IBMS advanced practice diploma, DipRCPath or working towards relevant specialist qualifications.
• Strong technical skills in complex dissection and histopathology reporting, with excellent attention to detail.
• Confident communicator who enjoys teaching, working in MDTs and building positive relationships across teams.
• Someone curious, collaborative and keen to grow into a consultantlevel role.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registration as a Biomedical or Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• BSc in Biomedical Science or assessed equivalent knowledge with extensive practical experience.
• MSc, FIBMS or assessed equivalent knowledge within Cellular Pathology.
• IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice or Advanced Diploma in Histological Dissection. Diplomateship of the Royal College of Pathologists (DipRCPath) (or equivalent qualification)
• Evidence of working towards attaining the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath)/IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma in Histopathology Reporting.

Desirable

• The post holder will be a training towards becoming a BMS Consultant member of the specialist reporting team.

Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience as a Biomedical Scientist/Advanced Practitioner, including complex dissection technical skill and knowledge.
• Specialist expertise in all areas of Cellular Pathology
• Ability to communicate with consultant medical staff in relation to patient investigations and clinical research.
• Excellent organisational and management skills.
• Evidence of CPD (Continuous Professional Development).
• Firm understanding of RCPath reporting guidelines and datasets pertaining to the area of specialisation (e.g. Dermatopathology.)

Desirable

• A network of personal contacts with consultant medical and scientific colleagues in other units, including Laboratories offering specialised services and Clinical units.
• Keyboard and IT related skills
• Training experience
• Multi-disciplinary Team meeting experience
• Writing and Implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Enrolled in National Quality Assurance Reporting Scheme for area of specialist reporting.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registration as a Biomedical or Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• BSc in Biomedical Science or assessed equivalent knowledge with extensive practical experience.
• MSc, FIBMS or assessed equivalent knowledge within Cellular Pathology.
• IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice or Advanced Diploma in Histological Dissection. Diplomateship of the Royal College of Pathologists (DipRCPath) (or equivalent qualification)
• Evidence of working towards attaining the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath)/IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma in Histopathology Reporting.

Desirable

• The post holder will be a training towards becoming a BMS Consultant member of the specialist reporting team.

Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience as a Biomedical Scientist/Advanced Practitioner, including complex dissection technical skill and knowledge.
• Specialist expertise in all areas of Cellular Pathology
• Ability to communicate with consultant medical staff in relation to patient investigations and clinical research.
• Excellent organisational and management skills.
• Evidence of CPD (Continuous Professional Development).
• Firm understanding of RCPath reporting guidelines and datasets pertaining to the area of specialisation (e.g. Dermatopathology.)

Desirable

• A network of personal contacts with consultant medical and scientific colleagues in other units, including Laboratories offering specialised services and Clinical units.
• Keyboard and IT related skills
• Training experience
• Multi-disciplinary Team meeting experience
• Writing and Implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Enrolled in National Quality Assurance Reporting Scheme for area of specialist reporting.

Skills Required