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. Following training, you will work from your base site at Darlington Memorial Hospital, with rotation to University Hospital North Durham as needed. 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. Previous experience of working in an NHS mortuary is desirable. Main duties of the job Main tasks include: Post mortem work, including forensic. 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 From April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary, If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post. Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents Date posted 24 October 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary £29,970 to £36,483 a year pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number C9439-24-1084 Job locations Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust Hollyhurst Road Darlington County Durham DL3 6HX 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 Special Requirements Essential Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post Participate in 24/7 oncall rota. Hold a valid Drivers License Physically fit able to lift, carry and manoeuvre Experience Essential Experience in a similar or larger establishment as an APT Experience of dealing with bereaved relatives Desirable Interaction of hospital services with external users ie. funeral directors Qualifications Essential Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology from the Royal Institute of Public Health (RIPH) or equivalent relevant experience. 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 Statutory Registration Desirable Membership of the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology Special Skills & 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 Special Requirements Essential Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post Participate in 24/7 oncall rota. Hold a valid Drivers License Physically fit able to lift, carry and manoeuvre Experience Essential Experience in a similar or larger establishment as an APT Experience of dealing with bereaved relatives Desirable Interaction of hospital services with external users ie. funeral directors Qualifications Essential Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology from the Royal Institute of Public Health (RIPH) or equivalent relevant experience. 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 Statutory Registration Desirable Membership of the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology Special Skills & 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. 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 County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Address Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust Hollyhurst Road Darlington County Durham DL3 6HX Employer's website https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)