Locum Consultant - Cellular Pathology
The closing date is 14 July 2026

Job summary
The cellular pathology department is increasing its capacity and therefore we have an opportunity for consultant posts to come onboard, we have digital reporting available and are currently in the process of looking to implement home reporting.

Applicants are invited to apply for a Locum Consultant position (Fixed term from 16th May 2026 until 15th June 2027) in Cellular Pathology at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

This is a replacement post, offering 10 programmed activities.

This post completes a team of seven consultant histopathologists. The post is full time, and applicants who, for personal reasons, are unable to work full time are also eligible to apply. If such a person is appointed, modification of the job content will be discussed on a personal basis with the Trust, in consultation with consultant colleagues.

Doctors considering an application are encouraged to visit the hospital and to meet with potential clinical colleagues.

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service Check.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Milton Keynes is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment

Main duties of the job
This is a replacement post and completes a team of eight Consultant Cellular Pathologists. The post is full time, and applicants who, for personal reasons, are unable to work full time are also eligible to apply. If such a person is appointed, modification of the job content will be discussed on a personal basis with the Trust, in consultation with consultant colleagues.

Candidates must hold full and specialist registration with the General Medical Council with a licence to practise or be eligible for registration within six months of interview. The appointee must also hold Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists or show evidence of equivalent.

The post holder will be contracted to provide histopathology and non-gynaecological cytology services at Milton Keynes Hospital Foundation Trust, alongside colleagues in Cellular Pathology.

The post-holder will work within the team of Consultant Cellular Pathologists to provide a comprehensive Cellular Pathology service for the University Hospital Foundation Trust and the local GP services of north Buckinghamshire. The role involves reporting an equal (pro rata) share of the Cellular Pathology workload in histopathology and non-gynaecological cytology, and there is a requirement to provide a reliable and expeditious service. Participation in private histopathology is optional and is undertaken on a weekly rota basis by those participating.

About us
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:

• Free on-site parking
• Free tea and coffee
• Great flexible working opportunities
• Discounted gym membership
• Lease car scheme
• Generous annual leave and pension scheme
• On site nursery (chargeable)
• Extensive staff health and well-being programme

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.

Details
Date posted: 30 June 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Salary: £113,565 to £150,569 a year per annum pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 430-CC26-680A-A
Job locations: Pathology - Med Staff (Dept), Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
The job plan (10 P.A. on appointment) will consist of a split of DCC and SPA (up to 2.5 SPA on appointment). The SPA component is made up of 1 P.A. of core activities (appraisal, revalidation, CME, routine departmental meetings etc.) and non-core activities. Non-core activities are discussed and agreed within the Trust (via an agreed tariff and, on occasion, through a personal agreement). Non-core SPA may reflect activities such as educational supervision, research, leadership and quality improvement. Following appointment, non-core SPA may be used to participate in our consultant development programme, or in acquiring or consolidating specific skills and expertise. Non-core SPA is only available if specific activities and objectives are mutually agreed in job planning and these outputs are evaluated at annual job plan review.

Through its inclusive and comprehensive job planning process, the trust commits to providing equitable working conditions to medical colleagues across specialties and their sub-specialties. Delivery of job plans, whilst owned by consultants and their Clinical Service Unit Leads, is overseen by the Divisional Director and subject to peer challenge at divisional level, thus enabling a further layer objectivity to our commitment in this regard.

Allocation of time in programmed activities (PAs)
The allocation of time between various duties of the post (including SPA) will be open to adjustment in consultation with the Head of Department, CSU Lead and the Trust, but initially will be as follows. A further allocation of up to 2.5 SPA is available for specific roles with defined objectives, these can be taken on in agreement with other colleagues and clinical director. The job plans will be reviewed, initially at three months and then on an annual basis

• DCC 7.5PAs
• SPA 2.5 PAs

This includes cut-up (gross examination and block selection of Consultant cut up cases), diagnostic reporting, MDT meetings (preparation and attendance), internal peer case reviews, external referrals, administration (relating to case reports), and NHS autopsies. These duties will be undertaken on a shared rota basis with colleagues.

This includes core SPA of 1 for job planning, appraisal, departmental meetings, statutory and mandatory training. Other agreed SPA roles may be undertaken in agreement with the CSU lead, dependent on departmental and Trust needs

Person Specification
Qualifications / Registration
Essential

• Medical degree
• FRCPath or equivalent
• Full and specialist registration (and a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC)

Desirable

• 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 nonUK trained, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT

Experience/Training
Essential

• Broad experience in all aspects of the speciality of Cellular Pathology to provide effective and safe management of outpatients, elective and emergency patients
• Significant postgraduate experience required, including relevant higher medical training as a Specialist Trainee or Senior Registrar. This period may be in a post of equivalent responsibility and training potential.
• Sufficient experience in histopathology, and cytopathology
• Experience in reporting fine needle aspirates.

Desirable

• Special experience in surgical pathology and cytopathology excluding cervical cytology
• Sufficient experience in autopsy

Knowledge
Essential

• Appropriate level of clinical knowledge
• Knowledge and application of up to date evidence-based practice.

Desirable

• IT skills
• Breadth of experience within and outside speciality

Clinical Skills
Essential

• Experience in contributing to the multidisciplinary management of patients.
• Understanding of clinical risk management.

Communication Skills and Teaching
Essential

• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Evidence of ability to communicate with patients, colleagues and staff at all levels
• A proven background in organising and delivering undergraduate and post-graduate teaching and research with evidence of training for the role is highly desirable

Desirable

• Teaching experience, teaching medical students and supervising speciality trainees
• Ability to be able to appraise both trainees and other staff
• A qualification in Medical education, such as a Diploma

Leadership/ Management skills
Essential

• Ability to motivate and develop training of medical and non-medical staff.

Desirable

• Interest in medical management

Other requirements
Essential

• Ability to work independently as well as part of the Pathology Division.
• To balance individual requirements against those of the Directorate and the Trust as a whole.
• Ability to gain the trust and confidence of colleagues and patients.

Desirable

• Ability and desire to take part in clinical directorate management
• IT and computer skills.

Health
Essential

• Be in good health. Demonstration of immunisation against Hepatitis B, plus proof of Hepatitis B antigen negative status

Personality
Essential

• Enthusiastic and able to inspire enthusiasm in others
• Innovative

Research and Audit
Essential

• Able to appraise research
• Thorough understanding of the principles of audit

Desirable

• Publications in peer reviewed journals in the field of cellular pathology.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Pathology - Med Staff (Dept), Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Consultant Histopathologist
Dr Moyna Dwyer
Moyna.Dwyer@mkuh.nhs.uk