Job summary
Applications are invited from committed and hardworking candidates for a Senior APT to join our busy mortuary team.
The successful applicant should possess continuous mortuary practice and have experience following the completion of the RSPH Certificate in Anatomical Pathology Technology (Level 3), as well as holding / working towards/ or planning to complete the RSPH Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology ( Level 4).
The successful candidate will have excellent written and oral communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
You will have the ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines. It is essential you possess a pleasant and approachable disposition whilst being sympathetic and understanding.
You will be expected to take part in all aspects of mortuary work and responsible for assisting in the day to day running of the department, maintaining our high quality mortuary and post-mortem examination service to the Local Authority , H.M.Coroner and the Worcesterhsire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
Main duties of the job
As part of the team, the post holder will have
developed knowledge skills and competency in anatomical pathology techniques.
It is a primary role of the senior APT to carry out both routine and advanced
post mortem procedures including the preparation of the deceased for viewing,
post-mortem and police identification.
The post holder will provide support to qualified
and unqualified APTs, porters, security staff, nurse bleep holders/managers,
and students.
You will be expected to assist in developing and
maintaining effective operating procedures, which comply with Health and
Safety, legal, UKAS, HTA and Trust policies, guidelines and legislation.
In addition, assist to develop effective systems
implemented to provide an efficient and safe mortuary service countywide.
As a senior APT, you will perform and assist with
mortuary audits monthly and quarterly for, and FOI requests.
You will be expected to provide appropriate
assistance in the absence of senior staff.
About us
Our purpose is simple - Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester
Our workforce is nearly 6,800 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision - working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities, leading and supporting our teams to move 4ward. Our 4ward behaviours, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
Our objectives are simple:
- Best services for local people
- Best experience of care and best outcomes for our patients
- Best use of resources
- Best people
Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services and our role in the wider health and care system.
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose:
- To provide and supervise an efficient and high quality mortuary and post mortem examination Service to the Local Authority, H.M. Coroner and the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust at the WRH & the Alexandra Hospital.
- To provide supervision, training and support to qualified and unqualified APTs, porters, security staff, nurse bleep holders/managers, and students
- Assist to develop and maintain effective operating procedures, which comply with Health and Safety, legal, UKAS, HTA and Trust policies, guidelines and legislation.
- Assist to develop effective systems implemented to provide an efficient and safe mortuary service countywide.
- To assist with the update of existing/production of new mortuary SOPs and staff competencies.
- To perform and assist with mortuary audits monthly and quarterly for, and FOI requests.
- To provide appropriate assistance in the absence of senior staff
General Duties:
Clinical / Scientific / Technical
- To participate in the provision of a reliable high quality service that meets nationally accepted standards (UKAS or HTA).
- To assist in the arrangement of autopsies through liaison with the Chief Anatomical Pathology Technician, Consultant Histopathologists, Medical Secretaries, Medical Staff, HM Coroner, Coroners Officer and Bereavement Services.
- To help maintain proper orderliness of the mortuary. Cleaning and disinfection of instruments after post mortem examination. Cleaning and disinfection of the post mortem examination room, body stores and general areas daily.
- Accept deceased into the mortuary, both hospital deaths and deaths from the community. Ensure deceased are tagged appropriately with 3 points of ID in accordance with current HTA guidelines for post mortem examinations on behalf of the H.M.Coroner.
- Undressing of deceased, using safe manual handling techniques.
- Release of deceased to appointed Funeral Director, ensuring all relevant paperwork is in place ( HMC release, Green cert, Cremation forms, Out of England form, organise free from infection certificate and consent forms ). Ensuring Funeral Directors provide 3 points of ID.
- To complete daily checks for deceased received out of working hours. This includes checking ID, recording valuables and condition of deceased, checking for pacemaker and identifying potential ICD devices for deactivation.
- To participate in the on-call rota providing an out of hours service (viewings including paediatric, Home Office post mortems , reception and release of bodies, formal identification of bodies, liaising with on site engineers in the event of equipment failure. Relocation of deceased if required).To prepare the post mortem suite, provide safe utilisation of tools and equipment during post mortem processes, and disinfect all equipment at the end of the activity
- To undertake specialist duties and supervise APTs in all duties associated with the preparation of the deceased prior to, during and subsequent to post mortem examinations including:
- Evisceration of deceased, in accordance with Consultant Pathologist specific instructions.
- Specialist dissection, Spinal cord removal, removal of femoral bones, middle ear exposure, D.V.T exposure, iliac crest /vertebral bone samples.
- Reconstruction (Routine and complex)
- Detailed suturing
- Collection of samples/specimens/DNA analysis/tissue donation. This can include samples of blood, CSF, vitreous humor, psoas and bone for toxicology. Microbiology samples including swabs and heart culture.
- Thorough cleaning of deceased, ensuring dignified and respectful storage until collection. Knowledge of current HTA guidelines for storage of deceased.
- Occasional handling of super bariatric deceased, including risk assessments to ensure safe transfer into fridges, and adjusting PM room practice in accordance with departmental SOPs.
- Use of Winpath database and PM ledger to record cause of death and then fax the form to the coroners officers and for further investigations.
- Collection of samples / organs for Research departments.
- To participate in the viewing service (including foetuses, babies and children), involving interacting with the bereaved, giving professional advice following sudden death, etc. This will include dealing with sensitive deaths, including suicides and young adults from fatal RTCs. The post holder must decide if the deceased is suitable for viewing, and give professional advice.
- To assist with disposal of wet tissue/blocks/slides and/or whole organs following next of kin wishes, ensuring that all documentation is completed correctly, and ensuring compliance with current HTA legislation. Occasional taking consent from NOK for Hospital Post Mortems. Explaining the process, and potential options for limiting the PM, and ensuring correct consent is given for retaining tissue, and subsequent disposal.
- To ensure that the deceased and those in qualifying relationships to them are treated at all times with respect and dignity.
- To assist with and perform quarterly whole organ and tissue/blocks and slides audits.
- To maintain appropriate stocks of materials and consumables with a weekly stock take to enable service provision.
- To be responsible for the recording and safe keeping of deceased personal effects and valuables.
- To provide advice to other professionals (e.g. in assessing identification, state of decomposed/mutilated bodies for HM Coroner and Senior Police Officers, assessing bariatric bodies for post mortem examinations and informing HM Coroner of the risk factors involved.
- To complete capacity spreadsheets, and ensure the capacity folder is kept up to date.
- To train internal staff using our facilities e.g. porters, security, nurse bleep holders/managers etc. Ensure compliance with departmental SOPs and HTA guidelines.
- To maintain a flexible approach in order to adjust to an extremely variable workload and work patterns. This can include travelling across county at short notice
- To ensure that all documentation/communication forms/data bases that are specific/relevant to the area of responsibility are maintained in a timely, safe, confidential nature to ensure that audit and information flows are easily shown and understood.
- To ensure that all accidents/incidents occurring within the area of responsibility are reported, within Datix, in a timely manner and in accordance within the Trust Policies
- To regularly manoeuvre, transfer and lift bodies (average weight 65kg-115kg) using the equipment provided
- To regularly manoeuvre, transfer and lift bariatric bodies and assist in/perform post mortem examinations on bariatric bodies (250kg+) with the use of the hydraulic hoist and Patslide.
- To perform any other duties covered by the post holders competencies after consultation and agreement with the line manager
- To use the Tutela system to monitor fridge temperatures, act on alarm calls received, and log in to the website to sign off alarm calls.
- To deputise for the senior staff in their absence
- To perform validation and verification and re-verification checks on new and existing pieces of equipment to ensure they are for purpose, working correctly following UKAS guidelines.
Service Delivery & Development
- To be actively involved in the planning of service improvements and developments within the area of expertise covered
- Participate in teaching, training and developing staff in the designated field.
- To assist with production and review of Standard Operating Procedures for the mortuary in line with current practices/standards (H & S, legal, HTA, UKAS & Trust policies).
- Promote up to date knowledge and understanding of mortuary and related services and develop effective working relationships with staff, users, colleagues and HM Coroner (e.g. through givinginstructive talks, advising bereaved relatives on procedures following a sudden death, arranging activities with Coroners Officers).
- To maintain a safe and healthy workplace through compliance with Trust and Directorate Health and Safety policies.
- To engage in meaningful communication with staff, colleagues and users ensuring that quality standards are maintained, services are provided within an appropriate time frame and that there is an awareness of changing requirements and legislation.
- Establish and maintains safe systems of work within the department and specialist work areas.
Professional
- Take all necessary measures to keep up to date with CPD in the discipline. This will include the reading of medical and scientific journals and attendance and participation in courses, seminars and scientific meetings (local, regional and national) as required.
- Attend departmental meetings including quarterly HTA meetings.
- Be able to work independently and manage own workload working to local and national standards within the APT professional code of conduct.
- Be responsible for ensuring that consistently high standards of customer service are delivered.
- To deputise for the senior staff in their absence
- To supervise and participate in the training of APTs
Education and Training
- To ensure all mandatory training is completed by required dates.
- To keep ones own and staffs training and development needs and action plans up to date through conducting regular reviews, and individual performance appraisal.
- To promote and develop teamwork.
- To encourage good time management skills and use of skill mix.
- To promote and develop a culture of good communication methods and ensure that effective systems are in place to obtain views from all staff both from within and outside the areas of responsibility that impact on the service or service delivery. To promote education and training of internal/external users in order to optimize use of the service (e.g. one to one practical training, giving talks, tours and demonstrations).
- To supervise and participate in the training of APTs
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose:
- To provide and supervise an efficient and high quality mortuary and post mortem examination Service to the Local Authority, H.M. Coroner and the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust at the WRH & the Alexandra Hospital.
- To provide supervision, training and support to qualified and unqualified APTs, porters, security staff, nurse bleep holders/managers, and students
- Assist to develop and maintain effective operating procedures, which comply with Health and Safety, legal, UKAS, HTA and Trust policies, guidelines and legislation.
- Assist to develop effective systems implemented to provide an efficient and safe mortuary service countywide.
- To assist with the update of existing/production of new mortuary SOPs and staff competencies.
- To perform and assist with mortuary audits monthly and quarterly for, and FOI requests.
- To provide appropriate assistance in the absence of senior staff
General Duties:
Clinical / Scientific / Technical
- To participate in the provision of a reliable high quality service that meets nationally accepted standards (UKAS or HTA).
- To assist in the arrangement of autopsies through liaison with the Chief Anatomical Pathology Technician, Consultant Histopathologists, Medical Secretaries, Medical Staff, HM Coroner, Coroners Officer and Bereavement Services.
- To help maintain proper orderliness of the mortuary. Cleaning and disinfection of instruments after post mortem examination. Cleaning and disinfection of the post mortem examination room, body stores and general areas daily.
- Accept deceased into the mortuary, both hospital deaths and deaths from the community. Ensure deceased are tagged appropriately with 3 points of ID in accordance with current HTA guidelines for post mortem examinations on behalf of the H.M.Coroner.
- Undressing of deceased, using safe manual handling techniques.
- Release of deceased to appointed Funeral Director, ensuring all relevant paperwork is in place ( HMC release, Green cert, Cremation forms, Out of England form, organise free from infection certificate and consent forms ). Ensuring Funeral Directors provide 3 points of ID.
- To complete daily checks for deceased received out of working hours. This includes checking ID, recording valuables and condition of deceased, checking for pacemaker and identifying potential ICD devices for deactivation.
- To participate in the on-call rota providing an out of hours service (viewings including paediatric, Home Office post mortems , reception and release of bodies, formal identification of bodies, liaising with on site engineers in the event of equipment failure. Relocation of deceased if required).To prepare the post mortem suite, provide safe utilisation of tools and equipment during post mortem processes, and disinfect all equipment at the end of the activity
- To undertake specialist duties and supervise APTs in all duties associated with the preparation of the deceased prior to, during and subsequent to post mortem examinations including:
- Evisceration of deceased, in accordance with Consultant Pathologist specific instructions.
- Specialist dissection, Spinal cord removal, removal of femoral bones, middle ear exposure, D.V.T exposure, iliac crest /vertebral bone samples.
- Reconstruction (Routine and complex)
- Detailed suturing
- Collection of samples/specimens/DNA analysis/tissue donation. This can include samples of blood, CSF, vitreous humor, psoas and bone for toxicology. Microbiology samples including swabs and heart culture.
- Thorough cleaning of deceased, ensuring dignified and respectful storage until collection. Knowledge of current HTA guidelines for storage of deceased.
- Occasional handling of super bariatric deceased, including risk assessments to ensure safe transfer into fridges, and adjusting PM room practice in accordance with departmental SOPs.
- Use of Winpath database and PM ledger to record cause of death and then fax the form to the coroners officers and for further investigations.
- Collection of samples / organs for Research departments.
- To participate in the viewing service (including foetuses, babies and children), involving interacting with the bereaved, giving professional advice following sudden death, etc. This will include dealing with sensitive deaths, including suicides and young adults from fatal RTCs. The post holder must decide if the deceased is suitable for viewing, and give professional advice.
- To assist with disposal of wet tissue/blocks/slides and/or whole organs following next of kin wishes, ensuring that all documentation is completed correctly, and ensuring compliance with current HTA legislation. Occasional taking consent from NOK for Hospital Post Mortems. Explaining the process, and potential options for limiting the PM, and ensuring correct consent is given for retaining tissue, and subsequent disposal.
- To ensure that the deceased and those in qualifying relationships to them are treated at all times with respect and dignity.
- To assist with and perform quarterly whole organ and tissue/blocks and slides audits.
- To maintain appropriate stocks of materials and consumables with a weekly stock take to enable service provision.
- To be responsible for the recording and safe keeping of deceased personal effects and valuables.
- To provide advice to other professionals (e.g. in assessing identification, state of decomposed/mutilated bodies for HM Coroner and Senior Police Officers, assessing bariatric bodies for post mortem examinations and informing HM Coroner of the risk factors involved.
- To complete capacity spreadsheets, and ensure the capacity folder is kept up to date.
- To train internal staff using our facilities e.g. porters, security, nurse bleep holders/managers etc. Ensure compliance with departmental SOPs and HTA guidelines.
- To maintain a flexible approach in order to adjust to an extremely variable workload and work patterns. This can include travelling across county at short notice
- To ensure that all documentation/communication forms/data bases that are specific/relevant to the area of responsibility are maintained in a timely, safe, confidential nature to ensure that audit and information flows are easily shown and understood.
- To ensure that all accidents/incidents occurring within the area of responsibility are reported, within Datix, in a timely manner and in accordance within the Trust Policies
- To regularly manoeuvre, transfer and lift bodies (average weight 65kg-115kg) using the equipment provided
- To regularly manoeuvre, transfer and lift bariatric bodies and assist in/perform post mortem examinations on bariatric bodies (250kg+) with the use of the hydraulic hoist and Patslide.
- To perform any other duties covered by the post holders competencies after consultation and agreement with the line manager
- To use the Tutela system to monitor fridge temperatures, act on alarm calls received, and log in to the website to sign off alarm calls.
- To deputise for the senior staff in their absence
- To perform validation and verification and re-verification checks on new and existing pieces of equipment to ensure they are for purpose, working correctly following UKAS guidelines.
Service Delivery & Development
- To be actively involved in the planning of service improvements and developments within the area of expertise covered
- Participate in teaching, training and developing staff in the designated field.
- To assist with production and review of Standard Operating Procedures for the mortuary in line with current practices/standards (H & S, legal, HTA, UKAS & Trust policies).
- Promote up to date knowledge and understanding of mortuary and related services and develop effective working relationships with staff, users, colleagues and HM Coroner (e.g. through givinginstructive talks, advising bereaved relatives on procedures following a sudden death, arranging activities with Coroners Officers).
- To maintain a safe and healthy workplace through compliance with Trust and Directorate Health and Safety policies.
- To engage in meaningful communication with staff, colleagues and users ensuring that quality standards are maintained, services are provided within an appropriate time frame and that there is an awareness of changing requirements and legislation.
- Establish and maintains safe systems of work within the department and specialist work areas.
Professional
- Take all necessary measures to keep up to date with CPD in the discipline. This will include the reading of medical and scientific journals and attendance and participation in courses, seminars and scientific meetings (local, regional and national) as required.
- Attend departmental meetings including quarterly HTA meetings.
- Be able to work independently and manage own workload working to local and national standards within the APT professional code of conduct.
- Be responsible for ensuring that consistently high standards of customer service are delivered.
- To deputise for the senior staff in their absence
- To supervise and participate in the training of APTs
Education and Training
- To ensure all mandatory training is completed by required dates.
- To keep ones own and staffs training and development needs and action plans up to date through conducting regular reviews, and individual performance appraisal.
- To promote and develop teamwork.
- To encourage good time management skills and use of skill mix.
- To promote and develop a culture of good communication methods and ensure that effective systems are in place to obtain views from all staff both from within and outside the areas of responsibility that impact on the service or service delivery. To promote education and training of internal/external users in order to optimize use of the service (e.g. one to one practical training, giving talks, tours and demonstrations).
- To supervise and participate in the training of APTs
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Education equivalent to 4 GCSEs including mathematics, English and a science subject at Grade C or above.
- Level 3 Diploma in APT or equivalent.
- Previous experience of working in a mortuary or funeral directors in whatever capacity
- Good spoken and written English.
Desirable
- Registered with AAPT
- Aggression Training
- Bereavement Training
- Evidence of on-going CPD.
- Management qualification NVQ3 or equivalent.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a mortuary.
- Previous experience in working with the general public on a one to one basis.
- Experience in working under pressure.
- Experience of working with the bereaved in sometimes emotive/distressing situations.
- Previous experience in a profession allied to medicine.
- Ability to adopt a professional approach with exposure to unavoidable unpleasant working conditions for prolonged periods
Desirable
- Desirable previous supervisory experience.
- Experience in mentoring trainee APTs.
- Experience in risk assessments and quality audits.
- Experience in reviewing SOPs and propose changes to mortuary service
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Evidence of an aptitude in science.
- In-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
- Able to keep accurate records.
- Able to communicate information accurately and concisely with a pleasant and courteous telephone manner.
- Knowledge of Health and Safety and Manual Handling procedures and COSHH
- Good organisational skills.
- Good numeric skills.
- Able to assess and interact with the bereaved in emotive and highly distressing situations
- Administrative and computer experience.
- Knowledge of HTA regulations.
- Able to work to quality performance standards
- Ability to maintain prolonged concentration and accuracy.
- Ability to adopt a professional approach with distressing situations and images.
- Knowledge in mortuary law in relation to reportable deaths to H.M.Coroner
- Ability to maintain standards of supervision and technical work in a busy environment
- Knowledge of database and spreadsheets.
- Ability to problem solve.
- Knowledge of quality management systems.to include; SOPs, risk assessments, audits.
- Knowledge of advanced post-mortem techniques.
Desirable
- Ability to problem solve.
- Knowledge of quality management systems.to include; SOPs, risk assessments, audits.
- Knowledge of advanced post-mortem techniques.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Emotional stability and Maturity.
- Tact and sensitivity.
- Responsibility.
- Flexible attitude to routine/non-routine work.
- Ability to work within a Team and independently.
- Ability to relate to all levels of personal and ability to assess and interact with the bereaved in emotional situations.
- Awareness of self-presentation to relatives and users of the mortuary.
- Responds well to change and innovation.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Displays enthusiasm and energy.
- Ability to identify personal development needs.
- Ability to motivate staff and promote team culture.
Desirable
Other job requirements
Essential
- Understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
- As frequent intense physical effort is an integral part of mortuary duties, the applicant must be physically capable of carrying out this aspect of the post.
- This post is deemed to require Enhanced Disclosure Clearance
- Understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
Desirable
- On call and overtime to meet the demands of the service (eg. Home Office autopsies).
- Willing to undertake training and self-development
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Education equivalent to 4 GCSEs including mathematics, English and a science subject at Grade C or above.
- Level 3 Diploma in APT or equivalent.
- Previous experience of working in a mortuary or funeral directors in whatever capacity
- Good spoken and written English.
Desirable
- Registered with AAPT
- Aggression Training
- Bereavement Training
- Evidence of on-going CPD.
- Management qualification NVQ3 or equivalent.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a mortuary.
- Previous experience in working with the general public on a one to one basis.
- Experience in working under pressure.
- Experience of working with the bereaved in sometimes emotive/distressing situations.
- Previous experience in a profession allied to medicine.
- Ability to adopt a professional approach with exposure to unavoidable unpleasant working conditions for prolonged periods
Desirable
- Desirable previous supervisory experience.
- Experience in mentoring trainee APTs.
- Experience in risk assessments and quality audits.
- Experience in reviewing SOPs and propose changes to mortuary service
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Evidence of an aptitude in science.
- In-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
- Able to keep accurate records.
- Able to communicate information accurately and concisely with a pleasant and courteous telephone manner.
- Knowledge of Health and Safety and Manual Handling procedures and COSHH
- Good organisational skills.
- Good numeric skills.
- Able to assess and interact with the bereaved in emotive and highly distressing situations
- Administrative and computer experience.
- Knowledge of HTA regulations.
- Able to work to quality performance standards
- Ability to maintain prolonged concentration and accuracy.
- Ability to adopt a professional approach with distressing situations and images.
- Knowledge in mortuary law in relation to reportable deaths to H.M.Coroner
- Ability to maintain standards of supervision and technical work in a busy environment
- Knowledge of database and spreadsheets.
- Ability to problem solve.
- Knowledge of quality management systems.to include; SOPs, risk assessments, audits.
- Knowledge of advanced post-mortem techniques.
Desirable
- Ability to problem solve.
- Knowledge of quality management systems.to include; SOPs, risk assessments, audits.
- Knowledge of advanced post-mortem techniques.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Emotional stability and Maturity.
- Tact and sensitivity.
- Responsibility.
- Flexible attitude to routine/non-routine work.
- Ability to work within a Team and independently.
- Ability to relate to all levels of personal and ability to assess and interact with the bereaved in emotional situations.
- Awareness of self-presentation to relatives and users of the mortuary.
- Responds well to change and innovation.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Displays enthusiasm and energy.
- Ability to identify personal development needs.
- Ability to motivate staff and promote team culture.
Desirable
Other job requirements
Essential
- Understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
- As frequent intense physical effort is an integral part of mortuary duties, the applicant must be physically capable of carrying out this aspect of the post.
- This post is deemed to require Enhanced Disclosure Clearance
- Understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
Desirable
- On call and overtime to meet the demands of the service (eg. Home Office autopsies).
- Willing to undertake training and self-development
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.
