Consultant Histopathologist – Cellular Pathology

NHS health board in South West Wales | Regional tertiary referral centre | Fully digitised diagnostic services

Posted: 09/09/2026 | Wales consultant pay scale £114,099 - £166,585 dependent on experience | Fixed-Term or Substantive, 10 sessions

A substantive consultant histopathologist post of 10 sessions is available with a university health board in South West Wales, joining a department of thirteen consultants providing the cellular pathology service across the health board. The post is a replacement appointment and is based across two acute hospital sites five miles apart.

Subspecialty interests are negotiable and can be agreed following appointment. The department covers the full range of diagnostic surgical pathology with the exception of neuropathology and paediatric pathology.

The department

The department serves a population of approximately 850,000 and acts as a regional tertiary referral centre for specialist haematopathology, soft tissue, cardiothoracic, medical renal biopsies, pancreatico-biliary surgery, maxillofacial and head and neck surgery, plastic surgery and the breast screening service. The annual workload is in the region of 42,000 histology specimens, 1,850 non-cervical cytology specimens and 750 autopsies.

The laboratories are UKAS accredited to ISO 17025 and provide an extensive immunocytochemistry repertoire, in-situ hybridisation for lymphoma and breast pathology, and locally available flow cytometry. Frozen section and urgent histology facilities, including medical renal biopsies, are provided on the second site.

Workload is distributed using a pull system based on RCPath scoring, allowing consultants to manage their own direct clinical care commitments against their specialty interests.

The department has two digital slide scanners and has fully digitised several of its regional diagnostic services for routine reporting, including haematopathology, thoracic, soft tissue and prostate. Digital reporting supports home working, flexible working and case collaboration between colleagues. Digital dictation and voice recognition software are in use throughout, and the department works on the All Wales laboratory information system with access to patient records across NHS Wales.

The post

The job plan is 10 sessions, comprising 7 DCC and 3 SPA, with the option of discussing an increase to 12 sessions. Two SPA sessions are allocated for core activity and a third is allocated for induction during the first three months, reviewed at an interim job plan meeting.

The appointee will participate in multidisciplinary team meetings across the diagnostic specialties, including regional MDTs, and in the 1 in 12 on-call rota with prospective cover, which attracts Intensity Band 1 remuneration. Participation in the coroner's autopsy service is optional and at the discretion of HM Coroner.

The health board holds university status with established links to two medical schools, and the appointee will contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. There are opportunities to develop a formal teaching interest with remunerated sessions built into the job plan, and to participate in research through the job planning process. Mentoring arrangements and a consultant development programme are available.

Person specification

Essential

• FRCPath or evidence of an equivalent qualification
• Full registration and a licence to practise with the GMC, or eligibility for registration within six months of interview
• Experience of working within the NHS
• Evidence of teaching and training of undergraduate and postgraduate clinical staff
• Evidence of initiating, progressing and completing audit
• Ability to undertake on-call duties

Desirable

• Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register, or eligibility within six months of interview. UK-trained applicants must hold a CCT or be within six months of award; non-UK trained applicants must show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
• Experience in a substantive or locum consultant post within the NHS
• A further relevant degree or diploma
• A teaching qualification or higher qualification in medical education
• Experience of research in histopathology or autopsy practice

Pathologists not yet on the Specialist Register

The department may consider a locum consultant appointment for a histopathologist who holds FRCPath and GMC registration but is not yet on the Specialist Register, provided the applicant has previous NHS experience. A locum consultant post carries consultant-level responsibility and provides NHS evidence towards a Portfolio Pathway application.

The area

The post is based in a coastal city in South West Wales, with the sea and a designated area of outstanding natural beauty on the doorstep and a national park within easy reach. The M4 runs east towards Cardiff and Bristol, with direct rail links to Cardiff and London. Housing costs across the region remain well below the national average, and free staff parking is available on all health board sites.

Making an application

All CVs should be submitted through BDI Resourcing. BDI Resourcing will handle the introduction, keep you updated on shortlisting, and support you through compliance and relocation.

For a confidential discussion, please contact: Nicola Humroy, Director of Diagnostics, BDI Resourcing nicolahumroy@bdiresourcing.com | 07507 565 111

BDI Resourcing offers a referral fee for successful recommendations.