Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Anatomical Pathology Technician - Higher (XR05)

This job is now closed

Job summary

Expected Shortlisting Date

14/03/2025

Planned Interview Date

21/03/2025

Applications are invited from candidates who hold the RSPH Certificate and Diploma/Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology for a full-time permanent post in the Mortuaries.

Applications may be considered from candidates with relevant mortuary experience who are willing to complete the necessary qualifications. These candidates would be employed under annex 21 until completion of their qualification.

The post is suitable for someone who is highly motivated, enthusiastic and a good team worker. This is a challenging and varied role in a busy and sometimes distressing environment. The post holder will be required to demonstrate high levels of sensitivity and confidentiality, good verbal and written communication skills, a high degree of organisation and time management, and the ability to work closely with the Mortuary team on a daily basis for the benefit of the community we serve. You must be able to work flexibly and be able to adapt to the changing demands within the team.

The position will include rotation, working between the LGI & SJUH mortuaries.

The department operates an out of hours On-call rota for evenings, Bank holidays and weekends, participation in the rota will be required.

The department is well equipped, fully computerised and HTA accredited.

Expected Interview date - Friday 21st March

Main duties of the job

As an Anatomical Pathology Technician (APT) you will be a member of a team of APTs working in the mortuary. You will be required to perform the day-to-day tasks of the mortuary including routine and infectious cases advanced post-mortem procedures. You will also be required to work alone and independently, for example when working on-call or when performing highly specialized tasks. You will be a competent member of the department having the specialist knowledge and skills necessary to perform a wide range of specialist techniques that contribute towards the provision of the mortuary service to the Trust and to HM Coroner.

You will assist in the implementation of policies and procedures including standard operating procedures SOPs:

relevant to the mortuary service which operates on two sites

relevant to service changes which impact externally i.e. portering services and funeral directors

You will be expected to apply professional judgements and specialist skills to complex and sometimes emotive situations eg assessing infection risk. You will be required to communicate information to colleagues, clinicians, undertakers, HM Coroner, and HM Coroners Officers. You will demonstrate empathetic skills when communicating with bereaved relatives.

Subject to consultation you may be required to undertake additional tasks in support of the general management of the department.

About us

The department provides the Mortuary and Post mortem services for the Trust and H.M. Coroner for Leeds from the mortuaries at the Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) and St James's University Hospital at Leeds (SJUH) as well as providing Histopathology, Non Gynae Cytology, Andrology, Muscle, Nerve, Immunohistochemistry, and Molecular services for Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

We are a well equipped and innovative department, we process circa 58,000 surgical cases, 3000 andrology cases, 2,000 autopsy cases and 6000 non-gynaecological cytology cases per annum.

We are a continually improving department, striving for high quality staff and processes. As a training hospital we serve to expand the knowledge and skills of all grades of staff. There are plenty of opportunities to become involved in, and further development is encouraged.

We endeavour to follow 'The Leeds Way' at all times, and our focus is to put the patient first at all times.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Date posted

24 February 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9298-PATH-414

Job locations

Leeds General Infirmary

Great George Street

Leeds

LS1 3EX

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

To perform routine day to day tasks of the mortuary

To carry out routine and advanced post mortem procedures

To prepare bodies for viewing and communicate with bereaved relatives.

To train and supervise other AP Technicians (APT's).

To communicate with colleagues, clinicians, undertakers, HM Coroner, and HM Coroners Officers.

To assist in the general management requirements of the department

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

In order to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you will have successfully studied for a Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology (RIPHH).

In addition you will have wide experience within the speciality, including a thorough understanding of the range of working practices relating to advanced autopsy, forensic and infection procedures. You will have developed a range of competencies and specialist knowledge within the discipline through wide practical experience, in house training and structured study and will continue to develop your skills and knowledge.

You may be required to assist in the general management of the department. Any training required for this will be provided.

In addition, basic computer skills are essential to carry out your work.

CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

In order to work effectively in the role you as the jobholder must be able to demonstrate a number of attributes and abilities. These will include:

- to gain new knowledge through experience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes

- to be a leading member of a team providing a clinical technical service

- to train others and demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate

- to work independently when and as required by the service, for instance when working on-call.

- to communicate clearly and effectively whether orally, graphically or electronically

- to plan, and prioritise, the workload of the section in the absence of the Chief APT or Senior APT Site lead

- to work with precision and follow accurately the documented standard operating procedures

- to operate highly complex mortuary equipment safely and efficiently

- to perform routine, infectious and advanced post mortem procedures

- to prepare bodies for viewing

- to comply with the Health and Safety requirements of the mortuary service

- to maintain accurate and confidential records relating to patient information

- to input, manage, extract and interpret patient data using the departmental computer system

- to contribute actively towards the improvement of general service quality by participation in relevant discussions with other team members and leaders of other sections within the speciality

- to remain competent in established procedures and to develop new skills subject to the requirements of the service

- to undertake tasks that contribute to the general management of the speciality

- to take account of changes in service delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work

CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

As the jobholder you will acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding to:

- Coordinate the day-to-day activities of the mortuary in the absence of the Chief APT or Senior APT Site Lead.

- Perform a wide range of routine and advanced post mortem procedures including advanced autopsy, forensic and infection procedures. These procedures will include the safe and effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. Your level of knowledge and understanding of these procedures will be consistent with that to allow you to recognise system failures and errors. You will understand the need to report adverse events in the event of errors and failures.

- Teach and train other anatomical pathology technicians. Demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate.

- Communicate and liaise with staff within the Department and with pathologists, clinical staff, bereavement nurses, HM Coroner, HM Coroners Officers, police officers, funeral directors and bereaved relatives.

- Handle property belonging to the deceased in a secure manner. Maintain stock control and requisition items as required.

- Have knowledge and understanding of current national legislation and guidelines relevant to the speciality

- Have knowledge and understanding of the Human Tissue Act and the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and its impact on the Mortuary Services

- Understand the Trusts HTA Pathology Licence structure and your responsibilities

- Participate actively in departmental quality assurance activities. Your level of knowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels of quality have not been met together with the ability to recommend appropriate improvements.

- Participate in performing audits for UKAS and the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) Licensing requirements

- Participate in maintaining external accreditation compliance, by UKAS and the Human Tissue Authority.

- Participate in the maintenance of a safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards associated with your work. In addition you will be aware of any suitable actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards include fire, manual handling, breaches of security, controlled and uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.

- Maintain patient confidentiality. You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information that is related to patient care.

- Observe the requirements of departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample labeling and adverse event reporting.

- Observe the requirements of Trust policies relating to clinical and people governance.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

- To perform a wide range of routine and advanced post mortem procedures including advanced autopsy, forensic and infection procedures. These are highly developed physical skills where accuracy is important. Eg dissection and reconstruction of bodies (including facial reconstruction), suturing, evisceration of organs.

- Assist in dealing with all aspects of "High Risk" cases Hazard group 3 eg. HIV, Hepatitis C, Creutzfeldt-Jacob

- To perform tasks accurately and in accordance with departmental standard operating procedures.

- To plan the day-to-day activities within the mortuary in the absence of the Chief APT or Senior APT Site Lead , and to provide cover on other sites as required.

- To give professional advice, and to communicate accurately sensitive and / or complex information to users of the service in a manner that is in accordance with departmental procedures. (Examples of users are: pathologists, clinical staff, HM Coroner, HM Coroners Officers, police officers, funeral directors and bereavement nurses).

- To give professional advice to undertakers and bereaved relatives.

- To communicate with bereaved relatives regarding sensitive situations, and where there may be barriers to understanding.

- To enter, manage, retrieve and interpret complex patient information using the laboratory computer system.

- To provide body registration and release using manual backup procedures when necessary using the correct paperwork

- To participate in equipment testing and adaptation as a function of service development

- To provide training to support and technical staff

- To ensure the security of the mortuaries is maintained at all times

- To undertake training that may be deemed appropriate for personal and professional development within the post

- To contribute to general departmental management by performing, subject to consultation, such tasks as delegated by the Mortuary Manager

This list is not exhaustive and the changing needs of the service from time to time may require the development of other appropriate tasks and skills. These will be fully discussed with the post holder in advance of their implementation.

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS

The jobholder will have frequent exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions eg frequent exposure, in controlled conditions, to body fluids, contaminated tissues and fluids (infection risks), and handling decomposed bodies.

The nature of this work is highly distressing and highly emotional eg dealing with child and infant deaths, disfigured bodies and communicating with bereaved relatives.

This job requires a high degree of dexterity and precision eg dissection technique and reconstitution of bodies.

This job may require the holder to participate in stock control, including movement of goods, and the movement of bodies, some of which will require the use of lifting equipment. This will require frequent movement of light and moderate loads up to 15kg, and occasionally heavy loads.

As a general requirement of this job, the holder will be expected to carry out a number of specialist technical procedures, where concentration is required. These periods of concentration will be daily and prolonged.

Occasional exposure to physical aggressive behaviour eg when dealing with bereaved relatives. Occasional exposure to verbal aggression via the telephone can occur.

The service is delivered from a two different sites and you will be required, to work on either site on rotation and may be required, to travel between sites at short notice.

You will be required to participate in the On-Call Rota for provision of mortuary services.