Job summary
The Cellular Pathology Department provides Histology, Neuropathology, Diagnostic Cytology, Research and Mortuary Services. We have an exciting opportunity in support of our autopsy service expansion for which a full-time qualified Anatomical Pathology Technician (APT) are required to support our service expansion.
We provide a regional centralised autopsy service including CT scanning alongside end of life and post mortem care. As a specialist centre we conduct forensic, perinatal and neuropathology post mortem, and receive multiple coroner jurisdiction referrals. We work closely with the chaplaincy and bereavement teams in supporting families and facilitate viewings.
NUTH occupies two mortuary sites at Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospitals. Applicants will be working alongside the APT team, and should meet the essential criteria of the role.
We have out of hours for CT scanning and on-call rotas to support the growing service delivery. Previous NHS Mortuary experience is essential, and we will consider trainee applicants, and have a good experience of training and developing our staff.
- Interview Date Wednesday 30 July 2025
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
Knowledge of how a mortuary operates and previous experience is desirable for trainee applicants, although full training will be provided the successful applicant will train in practical skills and complete the required diploma.
Any trainee post will be at Band 5 Annex 21, 1st year 70% Top of Band 5/ 2nd year 75% Top of Band 5, leading to Band 5 qualified position, with expected completion within two years of appointment.
- Apply their in depth technical knowledge of pathological dissection techniques including advanced autopsy reconstruction and infection control measures.
- To have knowledge and experience of advanced autopsy, forensic and infection control procedures.
- To have previous experience of working in a mortuary and autopsy theatre.
- To have experience of dealing with bereaved relatives.
- To have ability to communicate at all levels and apply empathy/counselling skills appropriately.
- To contribute to some unsociable hours and on call rota as required.
- If not already qualified, apply as Annex 21 trainee to complete the diploma qualification as per job description.
About us
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
o Freeman Hospital
o Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
o Newcastle Dental Hospital
o Newcastle Fertility Centre
o Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
o Northern Genetics Service
o Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To participate as part of a team in providing a mortuary and autopsy service to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NuTH), North regional NHS Hospitals, Medical Staff, Police, and HM Coroners together with Funeral Directors and other legitimate users of the service.
- To assist the Senior APTs in co-ordinating and supervising the mortuary staff in providing a quality service.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To participate as part of a team in providing a mortuary and autopsy service to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NuTH), North regional NHS Hospitals, Medical Staff, Police, and HM Coroners together with Funeral Directors and other legitimate users of the service.
- To assist the Senior APTs in co-ordinating and supervising the mortuary staff in providing a quality service.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- oDiploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology from the Royal Institute of Public Health (RIPH)
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- oPrevious experience of working in a mortuary and autopsy theatre
- oIn depth technical knowledge of pathological dissection techniques including advanced autopsy reconstruction and infection control measures
- oKnowledge and experience of advanced autopsy, forensic and infection control procedures
- oExperience of dealing with bereaved relatives
- oManagement, supervision and training of staff
- oExperience of dealing with bereaved relatives
- oEvidence of professional development
Desirable
- oExperience of paediatric and perinatal autopsy
- oExperience of Neuropathology autopsy
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- oAbility to communicate at all levels and apply empathy/counselling skills appropriately
- oPossess proven skills, e.g. leadership and communication skills and organisation ability
- oAble to prioritise and meet deadlines
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- oDiploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology from the Royal Institute of Public Health (RIPH)
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- oPrevious experience of working in a mortuary and autopsy theatre
- oIn depth technical knowledge of pathological dissection techniques including advanced autopsy reconstruction and infection control measures
- oKnowledge and experience of advanced autopsy, forensic and infection control procedures
- oExperience of dealing with bereaved relatives
- oManagement, supervision and training of staff
- oExperience of dealing with bereaved relatives
- oEvidence of professional development
Desirable
- oExperience of paediatric and perinatal autopsy
- oExperience of Neuropathology autopsy
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- oAbility to communicate at all levels and apply empathy/counselling skills appropriately
- oPossess proven skills, e.g. leadership and communication skills and organisation ability
- oAble to prioritise and meet deadlines
Desirable
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).
