Pathology Education, Training & Research Lead

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Pathology Education, Training & Research Lead (Band 8a) to join the Pathology Directorate within the Clinical Sciences, Cancer & Diagnostics Division at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.

This is a senior professional leadership role responsible for designing, governing and assuring education, training and research activity across Pathology. Working with service and professional leaders across multiple specialties, the postholder will ensure that both registered and non-registered staff are supported by clear training frameworks, consistent competency standards and sustainable workforce development plans aligned to service need, regulatory requirements and future workforce models.

This is not a training delivery or teaching post. The role focuses on creating the systems, standards, governance and assurance that enable high-quality development at scale, working closely with local leaders, Higher Education Institutions, professional bodies and the Peninsula Pathology Network.

The postholder will report to the Pathology Professional Lead and will work across Derriford Hospital and other sites as required.

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

• Leading the development and implementation of a Pathology-wide education and training strategy, aligned to service, workforce and regulatory requirements
• Establishing and assuring consistent training pathways for registered and non-registered staff groups across Pathology
• Developing and maintaining directorate-wide competency, capability and career progression frameworks, supporting standardisation of job descriptions and career pathways
• Acting as Pathology's key interface with HEIs, professional bodies, external training providers and the Peninsula Pathology Network for workforce, education and training
• Enabling a culture of research, innovation and evidence-based practice, supporting staff access to opportunities and collaborations
• Using data to monitor training effectiveness, identify risk and provide assurance for inspections, accreditation and external reviews where education/training evidence is required
• Providing visible, credible professional leadership across Pathology, influencing improvement without direct line management responsibility

• Lead training governance to ensure frameworks support HCPC / IBMS and other relevant professional standards, accreditation and regulatory requirements, and safe, competent and sustainable practice
• Develop and maintain consistent competency, capability and progression frameworks across Pathology; support the standardisation and improvement of job descriptions, role profiles and career pathways in partnership with workforce and HR colleagues
• Work with service and professional leads to embed training plans within workforce planning, establishment review and service redesign; support future workforce models, including skill mix changes, advanced practice and new roles
• Contribute to recruitment and retention by ensuring credible and attractive development pathways

We are a people business where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust offers great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment, and operates in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process, please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles.

Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case.

We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.