Job summary
An exciting
opportunity is available for a Trainee or entry level (Band 4) Anatomical Pathology Technologist, to
join the well-established and friendly mortuary team at Mid Yorkshire Teaching
NHS Trust.
You must be compassionate,
enthusiastic; self-motivated with good communication skills and have the
ability to work as a team member.
The successful candidate will either have
the level 3 diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology / RSPH Certificate
or must be currently undertaking this qualification.
Candidates that already have the qualification will be salaried at Band 4 rate and those who are currently studying will be salaried at Trainee AXU 75% of band 4.
We encourage
staff to continue their training with the level 4 diploma to become specialist
anatomical pathology technologists.
You will
participate in all mortuary processes providing patient care after death,
cleaning and disinfection, developing knowledge and skills in post mortem
examination techniques, and ensure health and safety regulations are adhered
to and following initial training and achieving
competency, will participate in the out of hours on call rota for the mortuary
service.
Candidates need a flexible approach
to work with a positive attitude and ability to cope with the varied and
demanding and sometimes emotive environment.
For more information regarding this
advert, or to visit the Mortuary, contact Sophia Price (s.price6@nhs)
or Kelly Thompson(Kelly.thompson18@nhs.net) on 01924541242
Main duties of the job
To
work as part of a team to assist in the provision of adult mortuary services:
To
carry out routine and advanced postmortem procedures.
To
prepare bodies for viewing and communicate with bereaved relatives.
To
Accept and release bodies according to written procedures.
To
participate in the on-call rota.
To
train and supervise other Trainee APT and front of house assistants.
To
Ensure that quality standards of the section are met.
To
communicate complex and / or sensitive information to colleagues, clinicians,
undertakers, HM Coroner, and HM Coroners Officers.
About us
We provide care and support to over a million people in
Wakefield and Kirklees in their homes, community settings and across our
three hospital sites at Pontefract, Dewsbury and Pinderfields (Wakefield).
Always striving for excellence, we are at the forefront of
innovation and research, and we invest in teaching and the development of our
workforce.
We live by our values of caring, improving, being respectful
and maintaining high standards. We listen and learn because we aim to make Mid
Yorkshire the best place to work and receive care.
We value diversity and welcome talent and enthusiasm
irrespective of age, disability, neurodivergence, sex, gender identity and
gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation,
or other personal circumstances including providing unpaid carers support to
someone with a health and care need. As ethnic minority groups, members of the
LGBTQ+ community, and people with a disability/neurodivergence are currently
under-represented across the organisation, we encourage applications from
members of these groups. We have policies and procedures to ensure all
applicants are treated fairly and consistently.
We are proud of our staff networks - who offer valuable
guidance and feedback from those with lived experience.
We have a clear vision and you could be part of this! If
you share our values and you want to make a difference to the lives of our
patients and their families and carers, we would love to hear from you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
As
an Anatomical Pathology Technician, you will assist the Mortuaries Manager and Head APT
staff in providing the technical services required at the Mortuary.
As part of the team, you will be expected to work unsupervised (APT), (supervised for trainee) to:
- Maintain High professional and technical standards e.g., following Standard Operating Procedures, undertaking
audits, and adhering to Trust and National policies ensuring they are in line with UKAS/ISO and
Human Tissue Act (HTA) guidelines.
- Comment on the implementation of policies and
procedures:
Relevant to the mortuary
service which operates on two sites
Relevant to service changes
which impact externally i.e., portering services and funeral directors
- Apply professional judgements and specialist skills
to complex and sometimes emotive situations. Eg assessing infection risk.
- Communicate information to colleagues, clinicians,
undertakers, HM Coroner, and HM Coroners Officers.
- Demonstrate empathetic skills when communicating
with bereaved relatives
- Perform a wide range of routine and advanced postmortem
procedures including advanced autopsy and infection procedures. These are
highly developed physical skills where accuracy is important. E.g., dissection
and reconstruction of bodies (including facial reconstruction), suturing,
evisceration of organs.
- Perform tasks accurately and in accordance with
departmental standard operating procedures.
- Assist in the provision of a high-quality mortuary
service in line with national and organisational protocols.
- Provide and monitor
efficient and effective body registration and release procedures, ensuring the
correct recording of all information and documentation involving the body
including completion of the mortuary register, release forms, cremation forms,
burial orders and property receipts as required by statute. Ensure all the
relevant documentation including medical notes are present and, in order for
the post-mortem to take place.
- Ensure
all relevant documentation is completed correctly, and all Mortuary records are
kept up to date, including an accurate record is maintained regarding valuables
and property accompanying the deceased to the Mortuary
- Check
that all statutory documentation e.g., consent forms, cremation forms, release
forms have been completed correctly and follow up any mistakes, ensuring all
documents pertaining to foetal death are completed correctly
- Enter, manage, retrieve,
and interpret complex patient information using the laboratory computer
system.
- Participate in clinical
trials that are relevant to the section
- Provide training to
support, technical, scientific, and medical staff
- Assist in dealing with all
aspects of High Risk cases Hazard group 3 / 4 e.g., HIV, Hepatitis C,
Creutzfeldt-Jakob.
- Ensure correct consent is
in place and that accurate records are kept of any transplant events.
- Assist
in the retrieval/dissection of donor tissue and bone for transplant purposes.
- Carry
out reconstruction of the body after post-mortem examination.
- Assist
in taking photographs and arranging processing of film or digital images, including
taking pictures of foreign objects for legal cases. Organise X-rays for
post-mortems when appropriate.
- Carry
out removal of cardiac pacemakers, radio-active implants and the deactivation
and removal of defibrillators from the body prior to cremation.
- Maintain
post-mortem instruments and equipment in good condition and working order.
Ensure appropriate cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation is carried out on
instruments, equipment and on the fabric of the mortuary.
- Prepare
bodies for viewing and official identification, enabling bereaved relatives to view
their loved ones as required offering advice, comfort, and support.
- Assist
with the organisation and provision of containers and fixatives for further
studies of tissues/fluids and for the packing and arranging transportation of
tissues to other hospitals when required.
- Adhere
all protocols and guidance regarding retention of tissue and disposal of organs
and tissue
- Be conversant
with the current health and safety protocols, Standard Operating Procedures,
and all other protocols within the departmental code of practice.
- Undertake
training that may be deemed appropriate for personal and professional
development within the post.
- Will
participate in an agreed on-call rota system giving full cover for the mortuary
outside normal working hours, providing full on-call services to Her Majestys
Coroner and to the hospital when required.
- Maintain patient
confidentiality. You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect
sensitive information that is related to patient care.
- Operate highly complex mortuary
equipment safely and efficiently
- Responsible
for domestic cleaning of the fridge room and body fridges
- Subject to consultation you may be required to undertake additional
tasks in support of the general management of the department.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
As
an Anatomical Pathology Technician, you will assist the Mortuaries Manager and Head APT
staff in providing the technical services required at the Mortuary.
As part of the team, you will be expected to work unsupervised (APT), (supervised for trainee) to:
- Maintain High professional and technical standards e.g., following Standard Operating Procedures, undertaking
audits, and adhering to Trust and National policies ensuring they are in line with UKAS/ISO and
Human Tissue Act (HTA) guidelines.
- Comment on the implementation of policies and
procedures:
Relevant to the mortuary
service which operates on two sites
Relevant to service changes
which impact externally i.e., portering services and funeral directors
- Apply professional judgements and specialist skills
to complex and sometimes emotive situations. Eg assessing infection risk.
- Communicate information to colleagues, clinicians,
undertakers, HM Coroner, and HM Coroners Officers.
- Demonstrate empathetic skills when communicating
with bereaved relatives
- Perform a wide range of routine and advanced postmortem
procedures including advanced autopsy and infection procedures. These are
highly developed physical skills where accuracy is important. E.g., dissection
and reconstruction of bodies (including facial reconstruction), suturing,
evisceration of organs.
- Perform tasks accurately and in accordance with
departmental standard operating procedures.
- Assist in the provision of a high-quality mortuary
service in line with national and organisational protocols.
- Provide and monitor
efficient and effective body registration and release procedures, ensuring the
correct recording of all information and documentation involving the body
including completion of the mortuary register, release forms, cremation forms,
burial orders and property receipts as required by statute. Ensure all the
relevant documentation including medical notes are present and, in order for
the post-mortem to take place.
- Ensure
all relevant documentation is completed correctly, and all Mortuary records are
kept up to date, including an accurate record is maintained regarding valuables
and property accompanying the deceased to the Mortuary
- Check
that all statutory documentation e.g., consent forms, cremation forms, release
forms have been completed correctly and follow up any mistakes, ensuring all
documents pertaining to foetal death are completed correctly
- Enter, manage, retrieve,
and interpret complex patient information using the laboratory computer
system.
- Participate in clinical
trials that are relevant to the section
- Provide training to
support, technical, scientific, and medical staff
- Assist in dealing with all
aspects of High Risk cases Hazard group 3 / 4 e.g., HIV, Hepatitis C,
Creutzfeldt-Jakob.
- Ensure correct consent is
in place and that accurate records are kept of any transplant events.
- Assist
in the retrieval/dissection of donor tissue and bone for transplant purposes.
- Carry
out reconstruction of the body after post-mortem examination.
- Assist
in taking photographs and arranging processing of film or digital images, including
taking pictures of foreign objects for legal cases. Organise X-rays for
post-mortems when appropriate.
- Carry
out removal of cardiac pacemakers, radio-active implants and the deactivation
and removal of defibrillators from the body prior to cremation.
- Maintain
post-mortem instruments and equipment in good condition and working order.
Ensure appropriate cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation is carried out on
instruments, equipment and on the fabric of the mortuary.
- Prepare
bodies for viewing and official identification, enabling bereaved relatives to view
their loved ones as required offering advice, comfort, and support.
- Assist
with the organisation and provision of containers and fixatives for further
studies of tissues/fluids and for the packing and arranging transportation of
tissues to other hospitals when required.
- Adhere
all protocols and guidance regarding retention of tissue and disposal of organs
and tissue
- Be conversant
with the current health and safety protocols, Standard Operating Procedures,
and all other protocols within the departmental code of practice.
- Undertake
training that may be deemed appropriate for personal and professional
development within the post.
- Will
participate in an agreed on-call rota system giving full cover for the mortuary
outside normal working hours, providing full on-call services to Her Majestys
Coroner and to the hospital when required.
- Maintain patient
confidentiality. You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect
sensitive information that is related to patient care.
- Operate highly complex mortuary
equipment safely and efficiently
- Responsible
for domestic cleaning of the fridge room and body fridges
- Subject to consultation you may be required to undertake additional
tasks in support of the general management of the department.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Certificate (level 3 diploma) in Anatomical Pathology Technology RSPH Certificate.
- For trainee post must be studying or willing to study the above.
Knowledge and Awareness
Essential
- Understands the nature of patient confidentiality.
- Awareness of own limitations.
Desirable
- A knowledge of Health and Safety laws.
- Knowledge of conventional IT software e.g., Microsoft Office
Experience
Essential
- Previous work within mortuary environment
- (For Trainee position this is not applicable)
Desirable
- Previous experience within a hospital/medical environment.
- For Trainee - Previous work within mortuary environment
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to work in a team.
- Able to work independently (qualified only).
- Flexible approach to work.
- Good communicator.
- Friendly attitude.
Desirable
- Ability to use initiative.
Practical Skills
Essential
- Dexterity.
- Good hand / eye coordination.
- Basic computer skills.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Pleasant disposition.
- Self-motivation.
- Emotionally resilient.
- Trustworthy and honest.
Other
Essential
- Physically able to move around and between sites.
- Physically able to assist in movement of moderate to heavy loads.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Certificate (level 3 diploma) in Anatomical Pathology Technology RSPH Certificate.
- For trainee post must be studying or willing to study the above.
Knowledge and Awareness
Essential
- Understands the nature of patient confidentiality.
- Awareness of own limitations.
Desirable
- A knowledge of Health and Safety laws.
- Knowledge of conventional IT software e.g., Microsoft Office
Experience
Essential
- Previous work within mortuary environment
- (For Trainee position this is not applicable)
Desirable
- Previous experience within a hospital/medical environment.
- For Trainee - Previous work within mortuary environment
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to work in a team.
- Able to work independently (qualified only).
- Flexible approach to work.
- Good communicator.
- Friendly attitude.
Desirable
- Ability to use initiative.
Practical Skills
Essential
- Dexterity.
- Good hand / eye coordination.
- Basic computer skills.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Pleasant disposition.
- Self-motivation.
- Emotionally resilient.
- Trustworthy and honest.
Other
Essential
- Physically able to move around and between sites.
- Physically able to assist in movement of moderate to heavy loads.
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).
