Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Anatomical Pathology Technologist

The closing date is 10 February 2026

Job summary

An exciting job opportunity has arisen at GWH Mortuary & Bereavement Services

We are seeking a qualified Anatomical Pathology Technologist to join the Mortuary and Bereavement Services team at Great Western Hospital. The post holder will work within a multi-skilled team to provide a safe, effective and respectful service for deceased patients and their families. Knowledge of Human Tissue Authority regulations is essential.

The Mortuary and Bereavement Services team provides a professional and supportive service to patients, families and partner organisations. You will be joining a team committed to high standards of care and continuous improvement.

Main duties of the job

Main Duties of the Job

o Ensure all mortuary activities comply with HTA standards and Trust policies.

o Support the completion of legal documentation.

o Provide clear and sensitive information to bereaved families, clinical teams and external users.

o Arrange and facilitate viewings and formal identifications.

o Maintain a safe, secure and dignified environment for all deceased patients.

About us

Our STAR values - Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect - are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.

Details

Date posted

27 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

249-7578462-2

Job locations

Great Western Hospital

Marlbrough Road

Swindon

SN3 6BB


Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder is responsible for assisting in the provision to deliver a safe, secure, effective and comprehensive dual service at the Mortuary and Bereavement Service within Great Western Hospital.

Required to undertake duties to assist in the delivery of the service, this will include facilitation of the completion of, Medical Certificate of Cause of Deaths (MCCD), free from infections certificates and other legal forms required.

Provide specialist, knowledge, expertise and sensitive information to the bereaved, external users and Trust staff, regarding the process that needs to be undertaken following a death in Trust or the community.

To arrange, prepare and facilitate all viewings and formal identifications of the patient.

To assist in delivering a robust Post Mortem service for the H M Coroner of Wiltshire and Swindon as set out in the Service Level Agreement.

Complying with the Human Tissue Act and Human Tissue Authority to ensure the establishment is maintained within the scope of the licence parameters.

To ensure the capacity of the Mortuary is maintained appropriately under the direct of the senior APTs or Mortuary and Bereavement service Manager.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder is responsible for assisting in the provision to deliver a safe, secure, effective and comprehensive dual service at the Mortuary and Bereavement Service within Great Western Hospital.

Required to undertake duties to assist in the delivery of the service, this will include facilitation of the completion of, Medical Certificate of Cause of Deaths (MCCD), free from infections certificates and other legal forms required.

Provide specialist, knowledge, expertise and sensitive information to the bereaved, external users and Trust staff, regarding the process that needs to be undertaken following a death in Trust or the community.

To arrange, prepare and facilitate all viewings and formal identifications of the patient.

To assist in delivering a robust Post Mortem service for the H M Coroner of Wiltshire and Swindon as set out in the Service Level Agreement.

Complying with the Human Tissue Act and Human Tissue Authority to ensure the establishment is maintained within the scope of the licence parameters.

To ensure the capacity of the Mortuary is maintained appropriately under the direct of the senior APTs or Mortuary and Bereavement service Manager.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE English, Maths and Science
  • Hold Level 3 or diploma in RSPH
  • Willing to work towards RSPH level 4
  • Informed Consent HTA qualification

Desirable

  • Biology, or Forensic qualification
  • Bereavement qualification
  • MEO training 26 Modles RCpath

Experience

Essential

  • Experience working in a Mortuary and hold a level 3 qualification in RSPH
  • Demonstrate an understanding of customer care when liaising with the public on the telephone, electronic and / or face to face.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively.
  • Able to explain complex medical conditions
  • Ability to lift and manoeuvre deceased patients
  • Dealing with bereaved and confrontational persons, either in person or over the telephone.

Desirable

  • Bereavement training
  • Working with Medical Examiner and Bereavement teams
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE English, Maths and Science
  • Hold Level 3 or diploma in RSPH
  • Willing to work towards RSPH level 4
  • Informed Consent HTA qualification

Desirable

  • Biology, or Forensic qualification
  • Bereavement qualification
  • MEO training 26 Modles RCpath

Experience

Essential

  • Experience working in a Mortuary and hold a level 3 qualification in RSPH
  • Demonstrate an understanding of customer care when liaising with the public on the telephone, electronic and / or face to face.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively.
  • Able to explain complex medical conditions
  • Ability to lift and manoeuvre deceased patients
  • Dealing with bereaved and confrontational persons, either in person or over the telephone.

Desirable

  • Bereavement training
  • Working with Medical Examiner and Bereavement teams

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Great Western Hospital

Marlbrough Road

Swindon

SN3 6BB


Employer's website

https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Great Western Hospital

Marlbrough Road

Swindon

SN3 6BB


Employer's website

https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Service Manager

Samantha Cunningham

samantha.cunningham3@nhs.net

01793604392

Details

Date posted

27 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

249-7578462-2

Job locations

Great Western Hospital

Marlbrough Road

Swindon

SN3 6BB


Supporting documents

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