Job summary
Qualified Anatomical Pathology Technologist (APT) Band 5 or Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technologist Band 5 Annex 21 - 70% of top of pay scale rising to 75% until qualified.
The mortuary service at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is looking for either a qualified anatomical pathology technologist or a trainee who is a degree graduate with a biological or forensic degree and wishes to start a career in anatomical pathology.
To qualify as an anatomical pathology technologist you will need to complete the RSPH level 3 diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology. We encourage staff to continue their training with the level 4 diploma to become specialist anatomical pathology technologists. Both qualifications are supported by the Trust.
Candidates need a flexible approach to work with a positive attitude and ability to cope with the varied and demanding work supporting end of life care.
Successful candidates will participate in cross site working and when trained, participate in an on call out of hours service.
Main duties of the job
To work as part of a team to assist in the provision of mortuary services -
1. assist in the preparation of the bodies for post-mortem
2. assist pathologists during post-mortem examination
3. prepare deceased for viewings
4. perform receipt and release of deceased
5. liaise with internal and external colleagues associated with end of life care porters, clinical staff, pathologists, funeral directors, bereavement team
6. participate in on call out of hours
To undertake training to for the Level 4 Diploma in Healthcare Science (Anatomical Pathology Technology) if qualified, and Level 3 Diploma if trainee APT.
About us
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. Find out more here
The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.
Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice
7. Receive and record the receipt of cadavers from wards and other sources
8. Undress cadavers as required and place in refrigerator, using mechanical hoist when possible.
9. Safeguard any property and valuables accompanying the cadaver in line with Trust and Coroners procedures.
10. Assist in the preparation of cadavers for post mortem examination, assisting the pathologist as required during the examination, at all times having due regard for the dignity of the deceased and any constraints imposed by the relatives consent to post mortem
11. Assist in the removal of tissues or organs for use in diagnosis, medical education or research, or for medico-legal investigations, preserving samples in formaldehyde if required.
12. Remove cardiac implants
13. Assist in more complex anatomical dissections removal of spinal cord
14. Participate in high risk an forensic post-mortem examinations.
15. Replace organs and restore the external structure of the cadaver by suturing.
16. Liaise with undertakers and record the release and removal of cadavers (and property) from hospital premises, ensuring compliance with all necessary paperwork (local release consent forms; Coroners Burial Certificate, Certificate E, Interim Death Certificate, or Out of England Certificate; Registrars Form 9; Cremation Certificates B and C; Free from Infection Certificate)
17. Participate in the preparation of disinfectants in accordance and perform routine decontamination and cleaning of the post mortem rooms, refrigerators, and their environs.
18. Help to monitor the adequacy of resources and equipment, reporting any deficiencies to the designated Senior Mortuary Technician.
19. Despatch biological samples to testing laboratories ensuring that sample packaging is compliant with specimen transport guidelines
Management and organisational role
20. Practice in accordance with the professional, ethical and legal codes for HTA and the Trustsprotocols and guidelines. Is accountable for own practice.
21. Develop own skills, taking responsibility for Continuing Professional Development andperformance
22. Communicate with other members of the team, demonstrating good work relations with allmembers of staff to promote effective team working.
23. Communicate effectively with other staff groups, both internal and external. To includehealthcare professionals, external agencies designated officers of HM coroner and visitingpolice personnel, commercial suppliers, service engineers and visitors to the mortuary.
24. When required liaise with hospital officers and porter staff to facilitate viewing of cadavers byrelatives and others, ensuring that the Viewing Rooms provide a sensitive and dignified settingfor the purpose
25. When required by the mortuary manager liaise with nursing staff in the Womens Centre andother hospitals to facilitate receipt and return of foetuses and babies sent for post-mortemexamination, facilitating viewings by relatives and others
26. Liaise with designated officers of HM Coroner and visiting police personnel
27. Provide training support and assistance to newly appointed APTs, Trainee APTs andbereavement staff. Role includes the demonstration of procedures to less experienced staff.
28. Monitor and maintain the adequacy of resources and equipment.
29. Prepare weekly / monthlyorder lists as requested
30. Be aware of Clinical Governance, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and local Health and Safety polices, reporting problems, errors or breaches to the immediate supervisor completing incident reports as required.
31. Assist with work required to maintain UKAS accreditation and the HTA licence, audit and SOP review
32. Demonstrate continuing ability to work individually and unsupervised to a level required in the provision of the out of hours service for lone working on shift or on call.
33. Attend departmental and Trust-wide staff meetings as appropriate.
34. Demonstrate an awareness of, and compliance with, health and safety regulations, the Data Protection Act and Standard Operating Procedures.
35. Treat everyone associated with the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with courtesy and respect, maintaining good work relations with all members of Cellular Pathology staff and to promote effective team working taking action when own or others behaviour undermines equality and diversity.
Information Technology Role
36. Display and maintain an appropriate level of IT skills, in order to input patient and post mortem data, maintain and amend patient records and interrogate the post mortem databases.
37. Perform a range of administrative tasks in the mortuary as required. This includes retrieval and disposal of specimens and data, maintenance of associated records and the collection of data for audits.
Teaching, Training and Research Responsibilities
38. Participate in the supervision and training of anatomical pathology technologists
Professional development and Education
39. Undertake suitable study to gain the Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology
40. Attend mandatory training sessions required by the Trust.
41. Attend any areas of further development as suggested in their Personal Development Plan (PDP)
42. Attend regular appraisal, maintain competence levels within the Department and ensure own personal and professional development
Person Specification
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
43. Practical post mortem experience for qualified APT post
Desirable
44. Previous mortuary or funeral directory experience for trainee post
Education and Qualifications
Essential
45. BSc in a biological / forensic science
46. Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology for qualified APT post
Desirable
47. Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology
Other
Essential
48. Reside within a reasonable travelling distance of the main mortuary site (John Radcliffe Hosptial)
Desirable
49. Car Owner
50. Clean driving licence
Skills and abilities
Essential
51. Basic keyboard skills Microsoft word, Excel
52. Experience of training other staff
Desirable
53. Good communication both verbal and written skills
54. IT qualification ECDL