Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technician

Job summary

Our NHS Foundation Trust Mortuaries at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and Yeovil District Hospital in Yeovil are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our dynamic mortuary teams in providing a high quality, patient- focussed service.

The successful candidate will be supported and mentored to under take the Level 3 Diploma in healthcare science in anatomical pathology technology (APT).

The candidate will be paid at band 3 until their qualification is completed, this will then increase to band 5.

Our Taunton mortuary department currently has four qualified APT's and Yeovil has two qualified APT's and a mortuary support worker.

You will be required to work across both trusts carrying out a wide range of administrative and technical tasks including: the receipt and release of deceased patients within our care, assisting Pathologists in all aspects of post mortem work. Following technical post-mortem procedures, safe manual handling and moving of deceased patients, arranging viewings for relatives and Police services and contributing to maintaining the facilities to the highest standards.

Qualifications

Minimum of three GCSE qualifications grades A-C / 4-9 (preferably Mathematics, English and Science).

UK resident for a least 3 years.

Full UK driving licence with the ability and willingness to travel across Trust sites as required.

Main duties of the job

To support the mortuary teams in delivering a high standard of care after death.

Experience

Previous experience of working in a mortuary, Funeral Director environment or with deceased patients is is highly desirable.

Bereavement / End of Life care experience is highly desirable.

Skills and Knowledge

A focus for attention to detail and accuracy.

Experience of Microsoft Office, Excel and Word and confidence with IT systems.

Knowledge of manual handling is required as the role does require frequent moving of deceased patients.

Key Responsibilities

Admission & Discharge of deceased patients from the hospital and community.

Assist in the delivery of an effective post-mortem service.

Assist in maintaining a safe and hygienic working environment.

Always working to the strict standards of the human tissue authority (HTA).

Commitment to continue the learning process through academic & practical experience and completion of the Apprenticeship.

About us

As an organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers employees a wide range of benefits including flexible working, NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance and a commitment to career development.

You will be eligible for our Blue Light Card and a wide range of NHS exclusive shopping & leisure discounts.

We are proud of our skilled, diverse workforce and as an inclusive employer we welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Working in Somerset enables you to enjoy the idyllic countryside, areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.

There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable.

Somerset offers the countryside and the cosmopolitan - there is truly something for everyone!