Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technologist (Band 4) to join our well-established mortuary team of 3 qualified APT's and 1 ATO,
The ideal candidate should have excellent communication / interpersonal skills and must always maintain patient confidentiality, they must be well organised and motivated; be a good team player with the capability to support the team in maintaining the existing current high standards of patient care provided to our deceased and their families
Some knowledge / understanding of the HTA and of H&S within the mortuary environment is desirable, as is a keen eye for detail and accurate record keeping.
The successful applicant will be enrolled on the Royal Society for Public Health course of Anatomical Pathology Technology after a probationary period, this course is run annuallyand works towards achieving the level 3 diploma. The course takes approximately 2 years and involves participation in 5 online theory modules with set assignments followed by examinations. There are also 5 practical assessments which will be based on portfolio a of evidence and competencies completed in the work place while working towards the Level 3 qualification awarded by the RSPH.
Main duties of the job
The main responsibilities of the post while working towards their qualification will be to carry out under close supervision a full range of mortuary duties including receipt of the deceased, postmortem examinations, identifications / viewings, and release of the deceased for all hospital and community deaths. Other work will involve liaising closely with a variety of services / people including Bereaved families, Police, Pathologist's, Medical Examiner officers, bereavement officers, funeral directors, HM Coroner's staff, local authority registrars and trust staff.
About us
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy department' .
The team deliver an excellent care after death service to the bereaved and their families of both the hospital and local borough community. The staff take pride in the excellent working relationships they have with visiting Funeral Directors, Coronial Officers, and other uses of the mortuary service.
Our main mortuary premises are situated at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary which undertakes the Coronial work for the Wigan Borough, on behalf of H.M.Coroner for Greater Manchester West. There is an additional body storage facility at our sister site at Leigh Infirmary which will require staff to undertake occasional cross site working
On-Call
The department operates an out of hour's on-call service for H.M. Coroner.
The successful candidate will be expected to participate in the on-call rota once they have attained a level of knowledge and experience to enable them to fulfil the on-call service requirements. The candidate will have a flexible approach to meet the needs of the service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Planning and Organisational Duties
- Work alongside APTs to receive deceased into the mortuary from the community on behalf of HM Coroner. Including train deaths and deceased that may have been RIP for several weeks /months
- Work alongside APTs in discharging of deceased patients from the mortuary and across site storage facilities to designated Funeral Directors ensuring dignity and respect is maintained at all times.
- Work in partnership with HM Coroners office and associated staff, Funeral Directors, Coroners Removal Service, Trust personnel
- Informs Bereavement Office / MEO office of any additional deaths during the working day preventing a delay in the issuing of relevant paperwork.
- Work alongside APTs carrying out dignity checks of deceased patients under the care of the mortuary including identification and pacemaker checks.
- Inputs and retrieves patient information onto the Mortuary & Bereavement database recording essential information creating individual records for deceased cared for in the mortuary including uploading of documentation.
- Work alongside APTs preparing post-mortem room i.e. setting up instrument packs, necropsy saw etc.
- Assists Pathologists with external examinations of deceased carrying out ID checks and recording of marks and scars.
- Work under the supervision of qualified APTs to become competent in routine post mortem evisceration procedures.
- Weighs organs and records the information on behalf of the Pathologist.
- Acts as an internal circulator when required for qualified APTs and Pathologist for the recording of information during specialised post mortem examinations.
- Work under supervision of qualified APTs to become competent with the full reconstruction of deceased patients following post mortem examinations.
- Works alongside APTs washing, cleaning and wrapping of deceased in a dignified manner to ensure a high standard of presentation for viewings and transfer to Funeral Directors.
- Completes documentation and prepares appropriate containers for the storage of specimens requiring further examination e.g. histology and toxicology in line with HTA Guidelines.
- Delivers and collects histology samples to/from the trust laboratory.
- Works with APTs carrying out full cleaning and decontaminating all patient areas in the mortuary.
- Notifies external transport agencies when samples are prepared for transportation on behalf of HM Coroner.
- Assists with the preparation of deceased patients for viewing and identification ensuring they are presented in a dignified manner for any visitors to the mortuary i.e. relatives, Police coroners officers.
- Supports bereaved relatives over the phone or face to face providing them with relevant information and support around the death of their loved one.
- Communicates with Funeral Directors when all documentation has been prepared and ready for the deceased to be transferred into their care.
- Ensure awareness and compliance of patient confidentiality.
- Assists in the delivery of a quality service to customers within agreed timescales.
- Displays empathy and a pleasant helpful manner when dealing with bereaved relatives, visitors and staff.
- Schedule visits for trust medical staff and GPs regarding death certification and cremation purposes.
- Works alongside APTs undressing the deceased where appropriate.
- Daily use of appropriate equipment and manual handling techniques trolleys, pat slide etc.
- Collaborates with all other users of the mortuaries to ensure all Health and Safety regulations are complied with.
- Facilitates NHSBT with preparation of deceased prior to donation including assisting with the identification process.
- Records statistical government figures in relation to patients who have died with contagious infections.
- To assist under supervision with the handling of bodies contaminated by way of infection, infestation or radiation.
- Records and maintains foetal loss register.
- Assists in the release of foetal tissue / still births as per mortuary and HTA guidelines for burial or cremation.
- Assists with arranging transportation of babies and foetus to designated paediatric mortuary facilities for postmortem examination.
Communications and Key Working Relationships
- HM Coroner and associated staff.
- Trust Personnel
- External pathologists
- Bereavement staff.
- NHSB
Responsibility for Finance
- Assists in the receipt and recording of cheques from funeral directors for collection of completed cremation forms.
- Ensure stock is kept at appropriate levels reporting deficiencies to senior staff.
- Shares responsibility for the recording and safe storage of patient valuables that remain on a deceased patient in the mortuary.
- Shares responsibility for the security and care of deceased, buildings, and equipment
Responsibility for Human Resources
- Ensure that personal work activity is managed to make effective use of time.
- Undertake mandatory training according to Trust and departmental guidelines.
- Participate in the Trust Personal Development review.
- Comply with trust and departmental policies and procedures
Responsibility for Health & Safety
Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
Responsibility for Teaching
- Share knowledge and experience within house colleagues
Job description
Job responsibilities
Planning and Organisational Duties
- Work alongside APTs to receive deceased into the mortuary from the community on behalf of HM Coroner. Including train deaths and deceased that may have been RIP for several weeks /months
- Work alongside APTs in discharging of deceased patients from the mortuary and across site storage facilities to designated Funeral Directors ensuring dignity and respect is maintained at all times.
- Work in partnership with HM Coroners office and associated staff, Funeral Directors, Coroners Removal Service, Trust personnel
- Informs Bereavement Office / MEO office of any additional deaths during the working day preventing a delay in the issuing of relevant paperwork.
- Work alongside APTs carrying out dignity checks of deceased patients under the care of the mortuary including identification and pacemaker checks.
- Inputs and retrieves patient information onto the Mortuary & Bereavement database recording essential information creating individual records for deceased cared for in the mortuary including uploading of documentation.
- Work alongside APTs preparing post-mortem room i.e. setting up instrument packs, necropsy saw etc.
- Assists Pathologists with external examinations of deceased carrying out ID checks and recording of marks and scars.
- Work under the supervision of qualified APTs to become competent in routine post mortem evisceration procedures.
- Weighs organs and records the information on behalf of the Pathologist.
- Acts as an internal circulator when required for qualified APTs and Pathologist for the recording of information during specialised post mortem examinations.
- Work under supervision of qualified APTs to become competent with the full reconstruction of deceased patients following post mortem examinations.
- Works alongside APTs washing, cleaning and wrapping of deceased in a dignified manner to ensure a high standard of presentation for viewings and transfer to Funeral Directors.
- Completes documentation and prepares appropriate containers for the storage of specimens requiring further examination e.g. histology and toxicology in line with HTA Guidelines.
- Delivers and collects histology samples to/from the trust laboratory.
- Works with APTs carrying out full cleaning and decontaminating all patient areas in the mortuary.
- Notifies external transport agencies when samples are prepared for transportation on behalf of HM Coroner.
- Assists with the preparation of deceased patients for viewing and identification ensuring they are presented in a dignified manner for any visitors to the mortuary i.e. relatives, Police coroners officers.
- Supports bereaved relatives over the phone or face to face providing them with relevant information and support around the death of their loved one.
- Communicates with Funeral Directors when all documentation has been prepared and ready for the deceased to be transferred into their care.
- Ensure awareness and compliance of patient confidentiality.
- Assists in the delivery of a quality service to customers within agreed timescales.
- Displays empathy and a pleasant helpful manner when dealing with bereaved relatives, visitors and staff.
- Schedule visits for trust medical staff and GPs regarding death certification and cremation purposes.
- Works alongside APTs undressing the deceased where appropriate.
- Daily use of appropriate equipment and manual handling techniques trolleys, pat slide etc.
- Collaborates with all other users of the mortuaries to ensure all Health and Safety regulations are complied with.
- Facilitates NHSBT with preparation of deceased prior to donation including assisting with the identification process.
- Records statistical government figures in relation to patients who have died with contagious infections.
- To assist under supervision with the handling of bodies contaminated by way of infection, infestation or radiation.
- Records and maintains foetal loss register.
- Assists in the release of foetal tissue / still births as per mortuary and HTA guidelines for burial or cremation.
- Assists with arranging transportation of babies and foetus to designated paediatric mortuary facilities for postmortem examination.
Communications and Key Working Relationships
- HM Coroner and associated staff.
- Trust Personnel
- External pathologists
- Bereavement staff.
- NHSB
Responsibility for Finance
- Assists in the receipt and recording of cheques from funeral directors for collection of completed cremation forms.
- Ensure stock is kept at appropriate levels reporting deficiencies to senior staff.
- Shares responsibility for the recording and safe storage of patient valuables that remain on a deceased patient in the mortuary.
- Shares responsibility for the security and care of deceased, buildings, and equipment
Responsibility for Human Resources
- Ensure that personal work activity is managed to make effective use of time.
- Undertake mandatory training according to Trust and departmental guidelines.
- Participate in the Trust Personal Development review.
- Comply with trust and departmental policies and procedures
Responsibility for Health & Safety
Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
Responsibility for Teaching
- Share knowledge and experience within house colleagues
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
Skills
Essential
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Keyboard Skills & Ability to use MS outlook, Excel, and word.
- Must have a strong disposition and not be squeamish.
- Capable of working under pressure.
- Capable of working in difficult environment/ emotive conditions
- Motivated to learn new skills
- Accuracy and eye for detail
- Problem Solving
Additional requirements
Essential
- Flexible approach to work including out of hours (on call)
- Access to own vehicle to facilitate cross site working
- A passion for improving patient experience
- Post-holder must comply with professional code of conduct.
- Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation
Qualifications
Essential
- 5 G.C.S.E.s or equivalent grades 4-9 including English, Maths & Biology
Knowledge
Essential
- Basic Knowledge of Human Anatomy
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
Skills
Essential
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Keyboard Skills & Ability to use MS outlook, Excel, and word.
- Must have a strong disposition and not be squeamish.
- Capable of working under pressure.
- Capable of working in difficult environment/ emotive conditions
- Motivated to learn new skills
- Accuracy and eye for detail
- Problem Solving
Additional requirements
Essential
- Flexible approach to work including out of hours (on call)
- Access to own vehicle to facilitate cross site working
- A passion for improving patient experience
- Post-holder must comply with professional code of conduct.
- Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation
Qualifications
Essential
- 5 G.C.S.E.s or equivalent grades 4-9 including English, Maths & Biology
Knowledge
Essential
- Basic Knowledge of Human Anatomy
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.
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.
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
Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Royal Albert Edward Infirmary
Wigan Lane
Wigan
WN1 2NN
Employer's website
http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
