Job summary
We are seeking to appoint a fully qualified mortuary
anatomical pathology technician to join our Cellular Pathology team. The
successful candidate will work closely with anatomical pathology technicians,
mortuary assitants and Pathologists during the making of a post mortem and will
spend time in all areas of the mortuary. Following training, you will work from
Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital North Durham as needed.
Part of the training will be provided from neighbouring NHS Trusts. You will
also take part in the on call rota. The ability to travel across sites is
essential. Please refer to the Job Description and Personal Specification for
full details.
The ideal candidate will be a team player that
possesses excellent communication skills, organisation and manual dexterity
skills and have a keen eye for detail. Manual handling is a core part of the
role. You will also have the ability to concentrate for long periods of time
and have a keen interest in pathology. You should be able to demonstrate good
keyboard skills and be computer literate. A trainee post could also be offered
to a candidate with current experience of working in an NHS mortuary.
Main duties of the job
Main tasks include:
Post mortem work, including forensic. This may be in a
neighbouring NHS Trust.
Receipt and registration of deceased patients.
Release of deceased patients to funeral directors.
Entering patient details onto the laboratory computer system
and inputting the correct tests, maintaining all required logs.
Answering reception and telephone queries and liaising with
other Trust staff and the general public.
Preparing bodies for the purpose of relative viewings and
police identification.
Organising referral work, packaging and sending of samples
to other Trust sites and to other Trusts nationwide.
Stock control including receiving and receipting deliveries,
documenting and organising batches of reagents and performing verification
tasks.
Cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas.
Demonstrating duties to other staff.
Error logging and trouble shooting.
Please refer to the Job Description and Personal
Specification for full details.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years
of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider
sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and
have a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and personal
specification for full details.
This APT role involves working closely with Pathologists,
Anatomical Pathology Technicians and Medical Laboratory Assistants. You will
follow the laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and complete the
relevant quality documentation as required.
Upon completion of training and gaining competency, you will
rotate throughout the specialist areas of the mortuary. Performing duties in
accordance to local policy to a high degree of standards whilst conforming to
health and safety requirements. This includes working in the post mortem room,
body store, and viewing room of the mortuary. Using a variety of specialist
laboratory equipment to perform tasks and are responsible for the maintenance
of equipment and completing maintenance documentation. This includes
temperature and formalin monitoring.
The role requires handling of body fluids and human tissue
samples which can be of a sensitive nature. Work within the mortuary can often
be upsetting. Manual handling is required daily.
Stock is managed by all staff. This includes monitoring
stock levels of consumables, signing for deliveries, receipting goods
delivered, unpacking, verifying if appropriate and ensuring paperwork is
complete before placing in appropriate storage area in an orderly organised
manner.
Provide supervision, training and leadership to junior
staff.
In order to perform daily tasks effectively, the
APT role requires the ability to focus for long periods of time, have great
attention to detail and possess the ability to organise tasks in priority
order. Requires computer literacy skills as they are expected to use
spreadsheets, access LIMS, write SOPs and perform audits as needed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and personal
specification for full details.
This APT role involves working closely with Pathologists,
Anatomical Pathology Technicians and Medical Laboratory Assistants. You will
follow the laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and complete the
relevant quality documentation as required.
Upon completion of training and gaining competency, you will
rotate throughout the specialist areas of the mortuary. Performing duties in
accordance to local policy to a high degree of standards whilst conforming to
health and safety requirements. This includes working in the post mortem room,
body store, and viewing room of the mortuary. Using a variety of specialist
laboratory equipment to perform tasks and are responsible for the maintenance
of equipment and completing maintenance documentation. This includes
temperature and formalin monitoring.
The role requires handling of body fluids and human tissue
samples which can be of a sensitive nature. Work within the mortuary can often
be upsetting. Manual handling is required daily.
Stock is managed by all staff. This includes monitoring
stock levels of consumables, signing for deliveries, receipting goods
delivered, unpacking, verifying if appropriate and ensuring paperwork is
complete before placing in appropriate storage area in an orderly organised
manner.
Provide supervision, training and leadership to junior
staff.
In order to perform daily tasks effectively, the
APT role requires the ability to focus for long periods of time, have great
attention to detail and possess the ability to organise tasks in priority
order. Requires computer literacy skills as they are expected to use
spreadsheets, access LIMS, write SOPs and perform audits as needed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology from the Royal Institute of Public Health (RIPH)
- Additional training acquired to fulfil the role
Desirable
- Bereavement counselling skills
- Conflict management
- Eye /Corneal Retrieval Training
- First aid certificate
- Evidence of Continual Professional development
Experience
Essential
- Experience in a similar or larger establishment as an APT or mortuary attendant
- Experience of dealing with bereaved relatives
Desirable
- Interaction of hospital services with external users i.e. funeral directors
Statutory Registration
Desirable
- Membership of the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology
Special Requirments
Essential
- Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
- Participate in 24/7 on-call rota.
- Hold a valid Drivers License
- Physically fit able to lift, carry and manoeuvre
Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of Post Mortem dissection techniques including advanced reconstruction and infection control measures.
- Able to prioritise and meet deadlines.
- Manual dexterity
- Automation in Mortuary settings
- Interpersonal
- Keyboard and mouse
- Numeracy-Statistical & mathematics Interpretation
- Basic quality Control & assurance awareness
- Medical / Scientific terminology
- Able to deal with emotionally distressing situations, in a sympathetic and professional manner
- Able to respond appropriately in emergency situations.
Desirable
- Basic IT, e.g. Word, Excel etc.
- Aware of Health care system
- Understanding of Health & safety
- Experience of Training & Staff development.
- Experience of Forensic external examination and home office Post mortems.
- Knowledge of HTA guidance and legislation
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology from the Royal Institute of Public Health (RIPH)
- Additional training acquired to fulfil the role
Desirable
- Bereavement counselling skills
- Conflict management
- Eye /Corneal Retrieval Training
- First aid certificate
- Evidence of Continual Professional development
Experience
Essential
- Experience in a similar or larger establishment as an APT or mortuary attendant
- Experience of dealing with bereaved relatives
Desirable
- Interaction of hospital services with external users i.e. funeral directors
Statutory Registration
Desirable
- Membership of the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology
Special Requirments
Essential
- Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
- Participate in 24/7 on-call rota.
- Hold a valid Drivers License
- Physically fit able to lift, carry and manoeuvre
Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of Post Mortem dissection techniques including advanced reconstruction and infection control measures.
- Able to prioritise and meet deadlines.
- Manual dexterity
- Automation in Mortuary settings
- Interpersonal
- Keyboard and mouse
- Numeracy-Statistical & mathematics Interpretation
- Basic quality Control & assurance awareness
- Medical / Scientific terminology
- Able to deal with emotionally distressing situations, in a sympathetic and professional manner
- Able to respond appropriately in emergency situations.
Desirable
- Basic IT, e.g. Word, Excel etc.
- Aware of Health care system
- Understanding of Health & safety
- Experience of Training & Staff development.
- Experience of Forensic external examination and home office Post mortems.
- Knowledge of HTA guidance and legislation
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.
