Anatomical Pathology Technician - Higher (XR05)
Applicationsare invited from candidates who hold the RSPH Certificate and Diploma/Level 3Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology for a full-time permanent post inthe Mortuaries.
Applicationsmay be considered from candidates with relevant mortuary experience who arewilling to complete the necessary qualifications. These candidates would beemployed under annex 21 until completion of their qualification.
Thepost is suitable for someone who is highly motivated, enthusiastic and a goodteam worker. This is a challenging and varied role in a busy and sometimesdistressing environment. The postholder will be required to demonstrate high levels of sensitivity andconfidentiality, good verbal and written communication skills, a high degreeof organisation and time management, and the ability to work closely with theMortuary team on a daily basis for the benefit of the community we serve. Youmust be able to work flexibly and be able to adapt to the changing demandswithin the team.
Theposition will include rotation, working between the LGI & SJUHmortuaries.
Thedepartment operates an out of hours On-call rota for evenings, Bank holidaysand weekends, participation in the rota will be required.
Thedepartment is well equipped, fully computerised and HTA accredited.
ExpectedInterview date - w/c 4th November
Main duties of the job
Asan Anatomical Pathology Technician (APT) you will be a member of a team ofAPTs working in the mortuary. You will be required to perform the day-to-daytasks of the mortuary including routine and infectious cases advancedpost-mortem procedures. You will also be required to work alone andindependently, for example when working on-call or when performing highlyspecialized tasks. You will be a competent member of the department havingthe specialist knowledge and skills necessary to perform a wide range of specialisttechniques that contribute towards the provision of the mortuary service tothe Trust and to HM Coroner.
Youwill assist in the implementation of policies and procedures includingstandard operating procedures SOPs:
relevant to the mortuary servicewhich operates on two sites
relevant to service changes whichimpact externally i.e. portering services and funeral directors
Youwill be expected to apply professional judgements and specialist skills tocomplex and sometimes emotive situations eg assessing infection risk. You will be required to communicateinformation to colleagues, clinicians, undertakers, HM Coroner, and HMCoroners Officers. You willdemonstrate empathetic skills when communicating with bereaved relatives.
Subjectto consultation you may be required to undertake additional tasks in supportof the general management of the department.
About us
Thedepartment provides the Mortuary and Post mortem services for the Trust andH.M. Coroner for Leeds from the mortuaries at the Leeds General Infirmary(LGI) and St James's University Hospital at Leeds (SJUH) as well as providingHistopathology, Non Gynae Cytology, Andrology, Muscle, Nerve,Immunohistochemistry, and Molecular services for Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
Weare a well equipped and innovative department, we process circa 58,000surgical cases, 3000 andrology cases, 2,000 autopsy cases and 6000non-gynaecological cytology cases per annum.
Weare a continually improving department, striving for high quality staff andprocesses. As a training hospital we serve to expand the knowledge and skillsof all grades of staff. There are plenty of opportunities to become involvedin, and further development is encouraged.
Weendeavour to follow 'The Leeds Way' at all times, and our focus is to put thepatient first at all times.
LeedsTeaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job advertsare subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or removeadverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in theshortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while thisprocess is completed, and contact the named contact if you have anyquestions.
Job responsibilities
JOBPURPOSE
Toperform routine day to day tasks of the mortuary
Tocarry out routine and advanced post mortem procedures
Toprepare bodies for viewing and communicate with bereaved relatives.
Totrain and supervise other AP Technicians (APT's).
Tocommunicate with colleagues, clinicians, undertakers, HM Coroner, and HMCoroners Officers.
Toassist in the general management requirements of the department
KNOWLEDGE,SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Inorder to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you will havesuccessfully studied for a Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology(RIPHH).
Inaddition you will have wide experience within the speciality, including athorough understanding of the range of working practices relating to advancedautopsy, forensic and infection procedures. You will have developed a rangeof competencies and specialist knowledge within the discipline through widepractical experience, in house training and structured study and willcontinue to develop your skills and knowledge.
Youmay be required to assist in the general management of the department. Anytraining required for this will be provided.
Inaddition, basic computer skills are essential to carry out your work.
COREBEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
Inorder to work effectively in the role you as the jobholder must be able todemonstrate a number of attributes and abilities. These will include:
- to gain new knowledge throughexperience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes
- to be a leading member of a teamproviding a clinical technical service
- to train others and demonstraterelevant tasks to others as appropriate
- to work independently when and asrequired by the service, for instance when working on-call.
- to communicate clearly andeffectively whether orally, graphically or electronically
- to plan, and prioritise, theworkload of the section in the absence ofthe Chief APT or Senior APT Site lead
- to work with precision and followaccurately the documented standard operating procedures
- to operate highly complex mortuaryequipment safely and efficiently
- to perform routine, infectious andadvanced post mortem procedures
- to prepare bodies for viewing
- to comply with the Health andSafety requirements of the mortuary service
- to maintain accurate andconfidential records relating to patient information
- to input, manage, extract andinterpret patient data using the departmental computer system
- to contribute actively towards theimprovement of general service quality by participation in relevantdiscussions with other team members and leaders of other sections within thespeciality
- to remain competent in establishedprocedures and to develop new skills subject to the requirements of theservice
- to undertake tasks that contributeto the general management of the speciality
- to take account of changes inservice delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work
COREKNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Asthe jobholder you will acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding to:
- Coordinate the day-to-dayactivities of the mortuary in the absence of the Chief APT or Senior APT SiteLead.
- Perform a wide range of routine andadvanced post mortem procedures including advanced autopsy, forensic andinfection procedures. These procedureswill include the safe and effective use of highly complex laboratoryequipment. Your level of knowledge and understanding of these procedures willbe consistent with that to allow you to recognise system failures and errors.You will understand the need to report adverse events in the event of errorsand failures.
- Teach and train other anatomicalpathology technicians. Demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate.
- Communicate and liaise with staffwithin the Department and with pathologists, clinical staff, bereavementnurses, HM Coroner, HM Coroners Officers, police officers, funeral directorsand bereaved relatives.
- Handle property belonging to thedeceased in a secure manner. Maintain stock control and requisition items asrequired.
- Have knowledge and understanding ofcurrent national legislation and guidelines relevant to the speciality
- Have knowledge and understanding ofthe Human Tissue Act and the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and its impact onthe Mortuary Services
- Understand the Trusts HTAPathology Licence structure and your responsibilities
- Participate actively indepartmental quality assurance activities. Your level of knowledge andunderstanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels of qualityhave not been met together with the ability to recommend appropriateimprovements.
- Participate in performing auditsfor UKAS and the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) Licensing requirements
- Participate in maintaining externalaccreditation compliance, by UKAS and the Human Tissue Authority.
- Participate in the maintenance of asafe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazardsassociated with your work. In addition you will be aware of any suitableactions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazardsinclude fire, manual handling, breaches of security, controlled anduncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.
- Maintain patient confidentiality.You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive informationthat is related to patient care.
- Observe the requirements ofdepartmental policies relating to service provision, for example samplelabeling and adverse event reporting.
- Observe the requirements of Trustpolicies relating to clinical and people governance.
PRINCIPALDUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
- To perform a wide range of routineand advanced post mortem procedures including advanced autopsy, forensic andinfection procedures. These are highly developed physical skills whereaccuracy is important. Eg dissection and reconstruction of bodies (includingfacial reconstruction), suturing, evisceration of organs.
- Assist in dealing with all aspectsof "High Risk" cases Hazard group 3 eg. HIV, Hepatitis C,Creutzfeldt-Jacob
- To perform tasks accurately and inaccordance with departmental standard operating procedures.
- To plan the day-to-day activitieswithin the mortuary in the absence of the Chief APT or Senior APT Site Lead ,and to provide cover on other sites as required.
- To give professional advice, and tocommunicate accurately sensitive and / or complex information to users of theservice in a manner that is in accordance with departmental procedures.(Examples of users are: pathologists, clinical staff, HM Coroner, HMCoroners Officers, police officers, funeral directors and bereavementnurses).
- To give professional advice toundertakers and bereaved relatives.
- To communicate with bereavedrelatives regarding sensitive situations, and where there may be barriers tounderstanding.
- To enter, manage, retrieve andinterpret complex patient information using the laboratory computer system.
- To provide body registration andrelease using manual backup procedures when necessary using the correctpaperwork
- To participate in equipment testingand adaptation as a function of service development
- To provide training to support andtechnical staff
- To ensure the security of themortuaries is maintained at all times
- To undertake training that may bedeemed appropriate for personal and professional development within the post
- To contribute to generaldepartmental management by performing, subject to consultation, such tasks asdelegated by the Mortuary Manager
Thislist is not exhaustive and the changing needs of the service from time totime may require the development of other appropriate tasks and skills. Thesewill be fully discussed with the post holder in advance of theirimplementation.
SPECIALWORKING CONDITIONS
Thejobholder will have frequent exposure to highly unpleasant working conditionseg frequent exposure, in controlled conditions, to body fluids, contaminatedtissues and fluids (infection risks), and handling decomposed bodies.
Thenature of this work is highly distressing and highly emotional eg dealingwith child and infant deaths, disfigured bodies and communicating withbereaved relatives.
Thisjob requires a high degree of dexterity and precision eg dissection techniqueand reconstitution of bodies.
Thisjob may require the holder to participate in stock control, includingmovement of goods, and the movement of bodies, some of which will require theuse of lifting equipment. This will require frequent movement of light andmoderate loads up to 15kg, and occasionally heavy loads.
Asa general requirement of this job, the holder will be expected to carry out anumber of specialist technical procedures, where concentration is required.These periods of concentration will be daily and prolonged.
Occasionalexposure to physical aggressive behaviour eg when dealing with bereavedrelatives. Occasional exposure toverbal aggression via the telephone can occur.
Theservice is delivered from a two different sites and you will be required, towork on either site on rotation and may be required, to travel between sitesat short notice.
Youwill be required to participate in the On-Call Rota for provision of mortuaryservices.
Person Specification
Additional Requirements
* Physically able to move around and between sites
* Physically able to assist in movement of moderate to heavy loads
Skills & behaviours
* Good interpersonal skills, good communicator
* Ability to work flexibly
* Ability to work under pressure
* Dexterity - Good hand / eye coordination
* Knowledge of conventional IT software
Experience
* Wide experience within the discipline (mortuaries)
Qualifications
* RSPH Certificate & Diploma or Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology
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.
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