Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Anatomical Pathology Technician

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Job summary

The post holder will support the Senior/Chief Anatomical Technician in the efficient and effective operation of the Post Mortem Room and Mortuary Services for Frimley Park Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Wexham park hospital site.

They will assist, under the supervision of the Senior Anatomical Technician, to ensure compliance with standards of the Human Tissue Authority in all aspects of body storage, scheduled purposes and governance.

Main duties of the job

To assist in the running of all aspects of the Mortuary Service, in accordance with Trust and Pathology specific policies and standard operating procedures (SOP's) and the provisions of the Human Tissue Act

To liaise with respective multi-disciplinary teams within, and outside the Trust.

To ensure at all times that policies in relation to the identification of patients are enacted and that storage facilities are checked each day to ensure the hygienic and safe storage of bodies until removal by authorised persons.

To apply to knowledge expected of an Anatomical Pathology Technician, to the preparation of bodies for Post Mortem and be responsible to the Senior/Chief Technician in the delivery of high quality Post Mortem services.

To ensure the appropriate management of specimens collected at Post Mortem, that is; collection, labelling, safe handling, storage and transportation.

To participate in the On Call Service.

About us

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.

Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.

We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.

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Date posted

03 February 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,469 to £38,308 a year per annum incl HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

151-SL0417

Job locations

Wexham Park Hospital

Slough

SL2 4HL

Job description

Job responsibilities

PURPOSE OF JOB:

To participate in the provision of an efficient and cost-effective Mortuary service within Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services.

KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

To contribute to the management of the mortuary storage facility ensuring HTA guidelines and departmental protocols are followed.

1. Financial & Management

1.1 To be aware of the financial constraints within the NHS and Pathology and ensure that there is no unnecessary wastage of supplies or resources.

2. Personnel & Training

2.1 To work closely with fellow mortuary technicians.

2.2 To host mortuary tours for working groups within the trust and visiting FDs, clinicians and retrieval teams

2.3 In conjunction with the Senior APT, to provide and certify training of porters and visiting Funeral Directors in use of mortuary equipment, mortuary process and handling of deceased within the mortuary environment.

3. Service Delivery and Quality

3.1 Assist and support the Site Leads and other staff with all mortuary activities using local SOPs and trust policies.

3.2 To apply to knowledge expected of an Anatomical Pathology Technician, to the preparation of bodies for Post Mortem and be responsible to the Senior/Chief Technician in the delivery of high quality Post Mortem services.

3.3 To ensure the appropriate management of specimens collected at Post Mortem, that is; collection, labelling, safe handling, storage and transportation.

3.4 Assist and maintain clear communication with Consultant Pathologist(s) within the postmortem room.

3.5 To engage in continued growth of the department across site through the quality management systems, HTA, and previous mortuary experience(s).

3.6 Admit and release of deceased patients and understanding the legal documentation in accordance with HTA and trust policies.

3.7 To maintain accurate records of all property that may accompany deceased.

3.8 Understanding of documentation required for the admission, post-mortem, release and disposal of bodies, personal effects, and tissue retention for a scheduled purpose.

3.9 To liaise with the bereavement officer(s), funeral directors and coroners officer in the documentation and release of deceased patients from the mortuary. and with other partners and stakeholders both internal and external to the trust.

3.10 Ensure specimens are labelled and handled in accordance with local pathology policies and HTA requirements.

3.11 To prepare viewings and when necessary, accompanying the relatives into the viewing room includes sympathetic engagement of persons viewing the deceased, to ensure relatives are supported and treated with courtesy, respect, and consideration always. Assist the bereavement officer when required for viewings, collection of forms.

3.12 To assist in the identification of a deceased patient on behalf of HM Coroner and the Police

3.13 Participate and work with colleagues to provide 24-hour service, working flexibly in accordance with needs of the department. The standard on-call for this post is 1 in 3.

3.14 Encouraged to seek further learning opportunities both internal and external to the trust.

3.15 Must ensure mandatory training is completed in a timely manner. Actively participate in team meetings and continued development of the service.

3.16 Have a good working knowledge of the Human Tissue authority Guidance and maintain these standards

3.17 Undertake cross-site working at the direction of the mortuary operations manager, or via the site leads in the absence of to support the effective running of the service.