Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Lead Anatomical Pathology Technician

The closing date is 12 January 2026

Job summary

The Lead APT is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the mortuary service, ensuring highest standards of dignified, safe andeffective care of deceased patients.

The role combines advanced technical expertise in anatomical pathology, with leadership and mentoring responsibilities of APT's and TraineeAPT's.

Assisting the Care After Death and mortuary Services Directorate Support Manager with ensuring adherence to Human Tissue Authorityregulations and other relevant legislation relating to quality and health and safety.

Ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the post-mortem service, supporting Pathologists, Coroners and Clinical teams.

Works independently within occupational, departmental policies, procedures.

Main duties of the job

o Assisting pathologists in a wide range of post-mortem examinations (routine and high-risk cases).

o Preparing patients for post-mortem examination.

o Performing evisceration, dissection, meticulous reconstruction and cleaning of the deceased patient to ensure a high standard ofpresentation for viewing.

o Taking, handling, accurate documentation and traceability of samples (tissue, fluids etc) for further analysis, storage, or disposal in linewith HTA compliance.

o Receive and store specimens taken for analysis and laboratory examination in a safe manner, in line with HTA requirements.

o Preparing deceased patients for viewings, communication with bereaved families, conducting viewings.

o Overseeing Police, family, DNA and dental record identifications.

o To ensure all mortuary equipment is serviced and maintained according to schedules.

o Assisting with training Care After Death team members, Porter staff and other staff groups in safe and correct use of mortuaryequipment and departmental procedures.

o Communication with bereaved families, clinical staff, police, coroners, funeral directors and other internal/external stakeholders.

o To take part in the out of hours on-call service to H.M. Coroner and the Trust.

Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply

About us

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi-award-winning NHS organisation with a passion for caring. The Health Board provides an exceptional workplace where you can feel trusted and valued. Whatever your specialty or stage in your career, we have opportunities for everyone to start, grow and build your career. The health board provides integrated acute, primary and community care serving a population of 650,000 and employing over 16,000 staff.

We offer a fantastic benefits package and extensive training and development opportunities with paid mandatory training, excellent in-house programmes, opportunities to complete recognised qualifications and professional career pathways including a range of management development programmes. We offer flexible working and promote a healthy work life balance, provide occupational health support and an ambitious plan for a Wellbeing Centre of Excellence to support you at work.

Our Clinical Futures strategy continues to enhance and promote care closer to home as well as high quality hospital care when needed. Join us on our journey to pioneer new ways of working and deliver a world-class healthcare service fit for the future.

Details

Date posted

02 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,263 to £47,280 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

040-HS001-0126

Job locations

Grange University Hospital

Cwmbran

NP44 8YN


Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply now" to view in Trac

  • Assisting pathologists in a wide range of post-mortem examinations (routine and high-risk cases).

Preparing patients for post-mortem examination.

Performing evisceration, dissection, meticulous reconstruction and cleaning of the deceased patient to ensure a high standard ofpresentation for viewing.

Taking, handling, accurate documentation and traceability of samples (tissue, fluids etc) for further analysis, storage, or disposal in linewith HTA compliance.

Receive and store specimens taken for analysis and laboratory examination in a safe manner, in line with HTA requirements.

Preparing deceased patients for viewings, communication with bereaved families, conducting viewings.

Overseeing Police, family, DNA and dental record identifications.

To ensure all mortuary equipment is serviced and maintained according to schedules.

Assisting with training Care After Death team members, Porter staff and other staff groups in safe and correct use of mortuaryequipment and departmental procedures.

Communication with bereaved families, clinical staff, police, coroners, funeral directors and other internal/external stakeholders.

To take part in the out of hours on-call service to H.M. Coroner and the Trust.

Please see attached Job Description for more information.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply now" to view in Trac

  • Assisting pathologists in a wide range of post-mortem examinations (routine and high-risk cases).

Preparing patients for post-mortem examination.

Performing evisceration, dissection, meticulous reconstruction and cleaning of the deceased patient to ensure a high standard ofpresentation for viewing.

Taking, handling, accurate documentation and traceability of samples (tissue, fluids etc) for further analysis, storage, or disposal in linewith HTA compliance.

Receive and store specimens taken for analysis and laboratory examination in a safe manner, in line with HTA requirements.

Preparing deceased patients for viewings, communication with bereaved families, conducting viewings.

Overseeing Police, family, DNA and dental record identifications.

To ensure all mortuary equipment is serviced and maintained according to schedules.

Assisting with training Care After Death team members, Porter staff and other staff groups in safe and correct use of mortuaryequipment and departmental procedures.

Communication with bereaved families, clinical staff, police, coroners, funeral directors and other internal/external stakeholders.

To take part in the out of hours on-call service to H.M. Coroner and the Trust.

Please see attached Job Description for more information.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or equivalent practical experience within post-mortem and mortuary setting.
  • Excellent level of health and safety, quality management systems and governance awareness.
  • Extensive experience in a range of mortuary duties

Desirable

  • Recognised Management Qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience in working in a mortuary setting and the provision of a post-mortem service under the instruction of H.M. Coroner and proven leadership skills.
  • Knowledge and experience of a range of postmortem dissection techniques.
  • Successful mentoring and training APT's/Trainee APT's.
  • A thorough understanding of HTA regulations, standards and expectations.

Skills

Essential

  • Experience of writing SOPs, conducting risk assessments and use of quality management systems.
  • Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to a range of stakeholders and to bereaved families in an empathetic and professional manner.
  • Ability to organise own workload and that of a team of APT's in response to departmental need.
  • Cultural awareness and respect for varying religious and cultural practices surrounding death.

Desirable

  • Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh

Other

Essential

  • Flexible to the needs of the service and partake in the on-call rota.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or equivalent practical experience within post-mortem and mortuary setting.
  • Excellent level of health and safety, quality management systems and governance awareness.
  • Extensive experience in a range of mortuary duties

Desirable

  • Recognised Management Qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience in working in a mortuary setting and the provision of a post-mortem service under the instruction of H.M. Coroner and proven leadership skills.
  • Knowledge and experience of a range of postmortem dissection techniques.
  • Successful mentoring and training APT's/Trainee APT's.
  • A thorough understanding of HTA regulations, standards and expectations.

Skills

Essential

  • Experience of writing SOPs, conducting risk assessments and use of quality management systems.
  • Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to a range of stakeholders and to bereaved families in an empathetic and professional manner.
  • Ability to organise own workload and that of a team of APT's in response to departmental need.
  • Cultural awareness and respect for varying religious and cultural practices surrounding death.

Desirable

  • Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh

Other

Essential

  • Flexible to the needs of the service and partake in the on-call rota.

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

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Address

Grange University Hospital

Cwmbran

NP44 8YN


Employer's website

https://abuhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Address

Grange University Hospital

Cwmbran

NP44 8YN


Employer's website

https://abuhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Mortuary Manager

Heather Hughes

Heather.j.Hughes@wales.nhs.uk

01633493907

Details

Date posted

02 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,263 to £47,280 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

040-HS001-0126

Job locations

Grange University Hospital

Cwmbran

NP44 8YN


Supporting documents

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