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Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technologist

The closing date is 31 October 2025

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Job summary

Applications are invited for the post of Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technologist for the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Mortuary Service.

We are looking for a highly-motivated trainee to join our enthusiastic team in maintaining and developing service quality.

Main duties of the job

  • Applicants must have excellent communication skills, display meticulous attention to detail and have a will to develop a detailed knowledge of Mortuary function and end-of-life care and a good understanding of mortuary services. For trainee posts interview preference will be given to individuals with transferrable skills or direct experience of working in end-of-life care or allied services.
  • Our service is comprised of an HTA-licensed mortuary site providing hospital and Coronial services for South Devon. In total, around 600 Coronial Post Mortems are carried out annually.
  • Applicants should have some awareness of the HTA. The successful candidate will have either direct experience or a detailed understanding of working with community partners, The Coroner's Office and Bereavement services, with an innate empathic approach towards the bereaved and a supportive attitude to colleagues in an emotionally and physically demanding workplace.
  • The role will include participating in the 24/7 on-call service. We strongly encourage potential applicants to evaluate the practical elements of being available to respond to calls and be on site out-of-hours 1 week in 4 before applying
  • Permanent position: 37.5 hours per week + on call

About us

Why Work With Us

At Torbay Hospital Mortuary, the team pride ourselves on our caring and empathic approach to deceased patients and bereaved relatives. We believe that care doesn't stop when a patient passes away, and endeavour to continue to care for that individual whilst they are in our care, with respect and dignity for the patient being paramount. We are looking for someone to join our team who will share these values.

Details

Date posted

16 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Pa

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

388-7461287-PC&S

Job locations

Torbay Hospital

Lowes Bridge

Torquay

TQ2 7AA


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Admission & Release of deceased patients
  • Assisting the Pathologist in Post Mortem examinations
  • Facilitating viewing of deceased patients by their relatives
  • Participating in a 24/7 on call rota, once competent
  • Maintaining accurate Mortuary records using the Eden computer system
  • Work towards attaining the Diploma Level 3 in Anatomical Pathology Technology.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Admission & Release of deceased patients
  • Assisting the Pathologist in Post Mortem examinations
  • Facilitating viewing of deceased patients by their relatives
  • Participating in a 24/7 on call rota, once competent
  • Maintaining accurate Mortuary records using the Eden computer system
  • Work towards attaining the Diploma Level 3 in Anatomical Pathology Technology.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Achieved 5 GCSE passes to include Maths, English and Biology

Desirable

  • Health & Safety Training
  • Bereavement training
  • Conflict Management training
  • Manual Handling Training

Knowledge

Essential

  • Experience of working with the public
  • Keyboard & Computer skills

Desirable

  • Experience in a hospital or laboratory environment
  • Direct patient experience or experience of working in an allied end of life setting
  • Demonstration of Computer and Keyboard skills, e.g. European computer driving licence or relevant experience.

Specific Skill

Essential

  • Meticulous, conscientious, enthusiastic & Self motivated (Displays evidence of having researched the role)
  • Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
  • Able to act under supervision
  • Able to adopt a professional approach in distressing situations in a sympathetic and professional manner
  • Able to respond appropriately in emergency situations

Requirements due to environment

Essential

  • Holds a current UK driving licence
  • Eligible to participate in a 24/7 on call rota
  • Able to meet Occupational health standards
  • Good attendance record
  • Flexibility to adapt quickly and efficiently to changing work environments
  • Willing and able to work unsociable hours
  • Capable of lone working
  • Physically fit - able to lift, carry and manoeuvre sometimes heavy loads
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Achieved 5 GCSE passes to include Maths, English and Biology

Desirable

  • Health & Safety Training
  • Bereavement training
  • Conflict Management training
  • Manual Handling Training

Knowledge

Essential

  • Experience of working with the public
  • Keyboard & Computer skills

Desirable

  • Experience in a hospital or laboratory environment
  • Direct patient experience or experience of working in an allied end of life setting
  • Demonstration of Computer and Keyboard skills, e.g. European computer driving licence or relevant experience.

Specific Skill

Essential

  • Meticulous, conscientious, enthusiastic & Self motivated (Displays evidence of having researched the role)
  • Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
  • Able to act under supervision
  • Able to adopt a professional approach in distressing situations in a sympathetic and professional manner
  • Able to respond appropriately in emergency situations

Requirements due to environment

Essential

  • Holds a current UK driving licence
  • Eligible to participate in a 24/7 on call rota
  • Able to meet Occupational health standards
  • Good attendance record
  • Flexibility to adapt quickly and efficiently to changing work environments
  • Willing and able to work unsociable hours
  • Capable of lone working
  • Physically fit - able to lift, carry and manoeuvre sometimes 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Torbay Hospital

Lowes Bridge

Torquay

TQ2 7AA


Employer's website

https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Torbay Hospital

Lowes Bridge

Torquay

TQ2 7AA


Employer's website

https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Mortuary Manager

Simon hughes

simon.hughes1@nhs.net

01803655251

Details

Date posted

16 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Pa

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

388-7461287-PC&S

Job locations

Torbay Hospital

Lowes Bridge

Torquay

TQ2 7AA


Supporting documents

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