Senior Anatomical Pathology Technician

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust has an exciting opportunity for a Band 5 Senior Anatomical Pathology Technician to join our excellent Mortuary team at the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth.

The Mortuary department boasts state of the art facilities, run by a highly respected and experienced team who have received multiple awards for their dedication and commitment to our patients. The mortuary provides a post-mortem service to both the Queen Alexandra hospital and HM Coroner and performs >1400 post mortems per year. The mortuary has full UKAS ISO15189 accreditation and holds a full HTA licence. The mortuary is located within a spacious, modern, purpose-built Pathology complex, which opened in August 2007.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our dynamic team in providing a high quality, patient- focussed service.

You will function as part of a small, dedicated team, providing high quality support to the Consultant Pathologists, Mortuary Manager and other qualified and trainee APTs. You will have an additional area of responsibility such as quality, health and safety or training, and be required to hold the level 3 and level 4 diplomas in Anatomical Pathology Technology. A minimum of three GCSE qualifications grades A-C (preferably Mathematics, English and a scientific subject).

Main duties of the job

You will be working in a modern well equipped department carrying out a wide range of administrative and technical tasks includingthe receipt and release of deceased patients within our care, assisting Pathologists in all aspects of post mortem work for adult, paediatric and high risk cases, following technical post-mortem procedures, safe manual handling and moving of deceased patients, arranging viewings for relatives and Police services, training and supervising junior members of staff and contributing to maintaining the facilities to the highest standards.

About us

The Trust is committed to driving excellence in care for our patients and communities and was rated good by the Care Quality Commission report published 2020 and became a University Hospital. We are ranked as the third in the country for research; embedding education and training across the organisation and we continuously strive to achieve our core values which are at the heart of everything we do. The Trusts main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, starting life as a military hospital over a century ago and now one of the largest hospitals on the south coast and you may have seen us on the TV series Nurses on the Ward. The Trust provides comprehensive secondary care and specialist services to a local population of 675,000 people across South East Hampshire. The Trust employs over 8,000 staff and are #ProudtobePHU; our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because its the right thing to do, but because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for providing outstanding care and support for patients, colleagues and our community you will find a home at PHU. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veterans status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.

Date posted

22 June 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£28,407 to £34,581 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C8192-CD-23-0681

Job locations

Queen Alexandra Hospital

Southwick Hill Road

Cosham

Portsmouth

PO6 3LY

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

To assist the Mortuary Manager in the provision of a safe and comprehensive mortuary service from receipt to discharge including all areas of autopsy work.
To contribute to the training and development of new and less experienced staff.
Carry out both routine & advanced postmortem procedures.
Prepare bodies for viewing, communicate with bereaved families.
Supervises other Anatomical Pathology Technicians.
To assist the consultant histopathologist in performing infectious postmortems.
To be the Lead for Health & Safety/Training and Education/Quality (as applicable) within the Mortuary Department.
To deputise for the Mortuary Manager when required.

Specific Core Functions

Responsibility Scientific and Technical Duties

Maintain a safe and clean working environment, dispose of waste, and monitor mortuary equipment reporting any defects to the estates and facilities departments.
Receive bodies from all sources and assist in the correct identification and storage, ensuring that all valuables are recorded, secured and documented.
To organise and undertake all pre-autopsy preparation of bodies according to departmental policies and procedures including making decisions on appropriate advanced dissection techniques.
Assist the pathologists in the postmortem room in all aspects of postmortem work on both adult and paediatric cases including high risk, bariatric and decomposed cases.
Assist junior registrars with postmortem techniques.
Provide clinical technical services, obtaining samples for diagnosis.
Follow postmortem procedures; undertake dissection and reconstruction, including suturing of bodies, evisceration of organs, and removal of pacemakers, internal cardiac defibrillators and reveal devices.
Provide specialist dissection practices when required. This can include removal of spinal cord for neurological examination, removal of long bones, exposure/removal of the middle ear and exposure of DVTs and removal of pituitary gland.
Take samples for analysis at postmortem such as microbiology, toxicology, and histology.
Record and monitor the postmortem retained tissue database to comply with HTA licensing standards and regulations.
To assist mortuary manager in filing and storage of postmortem tissue blocks and slides.
Assist the mortuary manager in disposal/returning of postmortem retained tissue per next of kin wishes once the tissues are no longer required.
Taking x-ray images to assist the pathologist in perinatal postmortems.
Assist in assessing infection risk.
Ensure that bodies are reconstructed to a high standard so that it can be released to funeral directors.
Undertake post-autopsy storage of bodies.
Lift and manoeuvre bodies, including bariatric bodies, using appropriate health and safety equipment as necessary.
Organise viewings ensuring empathy and sensitivity when dealing with bereaved families including religious rites.
Liaise with internal and external representatives to ensure efficient operation of day-to-day activities including Coroners officers. Police, ambulance and funeral directors.
To release bodies and appropriate paperwork to Funeral Directors as required following Trust protocols and procedures.
To ensure adequate supplies of in-use materials/reagents.
Have a thorough understanding of the Human Tissue Act, assisting the Mortuary Manager, Cellular Pathology Laboratory Manager and Designated Individual to ensure that the Mortuary complies with its standards.
To assist in the planning and execution of training and education activities for less experienced mortuary staff and demonstrate postmortem techniques to other front-line staff.
Be responsible for the recording of incidents both internal to the Trust (DATIX) and as required by HTA governance (HTARI).
To deputise for the Mortuary Manager their absence.
To participate in an out of hours on call service which involves lone working and could entail being required to attend site overnight / weekends / public holidays.

Communication and Relationships

To respond to incoming telephone enquiries in a polite and efficient manner, with due regard for the context of certain conversations, ie with bereaved relatives.
To be regularly involved in assessing and implementing new and revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and policies in own area.
To contribute to sharing good practice within the Department and across Pathology.
To participate in departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the Department.
The ability to communicate sensitive information where there may be barriers to understanding.
Empathetic skills for communicating with bereaved relatives regarding sensitive situations e.g. religious rites.

Financial and Physical

To take receipt of laboratory consumables and transfer to the appropriate laboratory storage areas (room temperature and +4C).
Replace stocks of consumables and reagents when required and inform senior staff when stocks are low.
Regularly handles patients valuables, records and secures deceased's valuables.

Staff / HR / Leadership / Training

Maintain, update and develop personal and professional knowledge and skills by participating in the Trust Performance Review System including an annual appraisal.
To act as Lead for either Health and Safety/Education and Training/Quality (as applicable) within the Mortuary be responsible for all aspects ensuring that all policies and procedures are followed to maintain a safe working environment for all employees and visitors. To maintain all departmental health and safety/training and education/ quality records and documentation. To ensure that all staff are aware of current associated protocols. To represent the department on the Cellular Pathology and Pathology committee meetings as appropriate.
Plan and organise straightforward activities and organise work priorities to take Health and Safety role into account.
Participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues to promote a cohesive team and the achievement of team objectives.
To coordinate and supervise the activities of less experienced staff and participate in their training and development.
To organise and take part in the departmental audit schedule.

Education

Have a broad range of theoretical and practical knowledge in Anatomical Pathological techniques to Diploma level.
Must develop and improve scientific expertise, which may be through CPD within an appraisal programme and maintain a portfolio of relevant evidence of application of skills.
Assist in the training and supervision of lower grade staff.

Information Resources

Enter patient, test and clinical information onto the laboratory information system (LIMS) in an accurate and timely manner (frequent periods of high concentration).
To enter test results on the Mortuary Database in an accurate and timely manner.
Process deceased records as required following Trust and departmental policies and procedures.

Research and Development

Under direction, participate in the delivery of research, development and audit projects. Collect samples for national surveys, remove body parts for use in trials, assist pathologists with trials of new instruments; undertake equipment testing.

Freedom to Act

To work unsupervised with access to senior members of staff when required.
To be able to organise own and others day-to-day work tasks within parameters determined by the Line Manager.

Working Conditions

Frequent exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions frequent exposure to body fluids and contaminated equipment; exposure to decomposed bodies.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

To assist the Mortuary Manager in the provision of a safe and comprehensive mortuary service from receipt to discharge including all areas of autopsy work.
To contribute to the training and development of new and less experienced staff.
Carry out both routine & advanced postmortem procedures.
Prepare bodies for viewing, communicate with bereaved families.
Supervises other Anatomical Pathology Technicians.
To assist the consultant histopathologist in performing infectious postmortems.
To be the Lead for Health & Safety/Training and Education/Quality (as applicable) within the Mortuary Department.
To deputise for the Mortuary Manager when required.

Specific Core Functions

Responsibility Scientific and Technical Duties

Maintain a safe and clean working environment, dispose of waste, and monitor mortuary equipment reporting any defects to the estates and facilities departments.
Receive bodies from all sources and assist in the correct identification and storage, ensuring that all valuables are recorded, secured and documented.
To organise and undertake all pre-autopsy preparation of bodies according to departmental policies and procedures including making decisions on appropriate advanced dissection techniques.
Assist the pathologists in the postmortem room in all aspects of postmortem work on both adult and paediatric cases including high risk, bariatric and decomposed cases.
Assist junior registrars with postmortem techniques.
Provide clinical technical services, obtaining samples for diagnosis.
Follow postmortem procedures; undertake dissection and reconstruction, including suturing of bodies, evisceration of organs, and removal of pacemakers, internal cardiac defibrillators and reveal devices.
Provide specialist dissection practices when required. This can include removal of spinal cord for neurological examination, removal of long bones, exposure/removal of the middle ear and exposure of DVTs and removal of pituitary gland.
Take samples for analysis at postmortem such as microbiology, toxicology, and histology.
Record and monitor the postmortem retained tissue database to comply with HTA licensing standards and regulations.
To assist mortuary manager in filing and storage of postmortem tissue blocks and slides.
Assist the mortuary manager in disposal/returning of postmortem retained tissue per next of kin wishes once the tissues are no longer required.
Taking x-ray images to assist the pathologist in perinatal postmortems.
Assist in assessing infection risk.
Ensure that bodies are reconstructed to a high standard so that it can be released to funeral directors.
Undertake post-autopsy storage of bodies.
Lift and manoeuvre bodies, including bariatric bodies, using appropriate health and safety equipment as necessary.
Organise viewings ensuring empathy and sensitivity when dealing with bereaved families including religious rites.
Liaise with internal and external representatives to ensure efficient operation of day-to-day activities including Coroners officers. Police, ambulance and funeral directors.
To release bodies and appropriate paperwork to Funeral Directors as required following Trust protocols and procedures.
To ensure adequate supplies of in-use materials/reagents.
Have a thorough understanding of the Human Tissue Act, assisting the Mortuary Manager, Cellular Pathology Laboratory Manager and Designated Individual to ensure that the Mortuary complies with its standards.
To assist in the planning and execution of training and education activities for less experienced mortuary staff and demonstrate postmortem techniques to other front-line staff.
Be responsible for the recording of incidents both internal to the Trust (DATIX) and as required by HTA governance (HTARI).
To deputise for the Mortuary Manager their absence.
To participate in an out of hours on call service which involves lone working and could entail being required to attend site overnight / weekends / public holidays.

Communication and Relationships

To respond to incoming telephone enquiries in a polite and efficient manner, with due regard for the context of certain conversations, ie with bereaved relatives.
To be regularly involved in assessing and implementing new and revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and policies in own area.
To contribute to sharing good practice within the Department and across Pathology.
To participate in departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the Department.
The ability to communicate sensitive information where there may be barriers to understanding.
Empathetic skills for communicating with bereaved relatives regarding sensitive situations e.g. religious rites.

Financial and Physical

To take receipt of laboratory consumables and transfer to the appropriate laboratory storage areas (room temperature and +4C).
Replace stocks of consumables and reagents when required and inform senior staff when stocks are low.
Regularly handles patients valuables, records and secures deceased's valuables.

Staff / HR / Leadership / Training

Maintain, update and develop personal and professional knowledge and skills by participating in the Trust Performance Review System including an annual appraisal.
To act as Lead for either Health and Safety/Education and Training/Quality (as applicable) within the Mortuary be responsible for all aspects ensuring that all policies and procedures are followed to maintain a safe working environment for all employees and visitors. To maintain all departmental health and safety/training and education/ quality records and documentation. To ensure that all staff are aware of current associated protocols. To represent the department on the Cellular Pathology and Pathology committee meetings as appropriate.
Plan and organise straightforward activities and organise work priorities to take Health and Safety role into account.
Participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues to promote a cohesive team and the achievement of team objectives.
To coordinate and supervise the activities of less experienced staff and participate in their training and development.
To organise and take part in the departmental audit schedule.

Education

Have a broad range of theoretical and practical knowledge in Anatomical Pathological techniques to Diploma level.
Must develop and improve scientific expertise, which may be through CPD within an appraisal programme and maintain a portfolio of relevant evidence of application of skills.
Assist in the training and supervision of lower grade staff.

Information Resources

Enter patient, test and clinical information onto the laboratory information system (LIMS) in an accurate and timely manner (frequent periods of high concentration).
To enter test results on the Mortuary Database in an accurate and timely manner.
Process deceased records as required following Trust and departmental policies and procedures.

Research and Development

Under direction, participate in the delivery of research, development and audit projects. Collect samples for national surveys, remove body parts for use in trials, assist pathologists with trials of new instruments; undertake equipment testing.

Freedom to Act

To work unsupervised with access to senior members of staff when required.
To be able to organise own and others day-to-day work tasks within parameters determined by the Line Manager.

Working Conditions

Frequent exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions frequent exposure to body fluids and contaminated equipment; exposure to decomposed bodies.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Broad range of theoretical and practical knowledge in Anatomical Pathological techniques to Diploma 3 and 4 level or equivalent knowledge plus experience.
Successful completion of the IOSH course Managing Safely for Health Care Professionals.

Desirable

Attendance at eye retrieval course.

Experience

Essential

Experience of implementing HTA and ISO15189 standards.

Desirable

Experience of health and safety / training / quality management procedures.
Experience of conducting audits and risk assessments.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

The ability to work using own initiative and without supervision.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Evidence of good manual dexterity and hand eye coordination.
Demonstration of good organisational skills.
Demonstration of good interpersonal skills.
Conscientious, methodical approach to duties.
Basic use of Microsoft Word and Excel.

Personal Qualities

Essential

An understanding of the political sensitivities of the Trust.
Ability to demonstrate confidentiality and trustworthiness.
The ability to communicate sensitive information where there may be barriers to understanding.
Empathetic skills for communicating with bereaved relatives regarding sensitive situations e.g. religious rites.
A willingness to be flexible and part of a team.
Ability to demonstrate a frequent requirement for a high degree of concentration and attention to detail.
Deal calmly and politely with relatives of the deceased who may be highly emotional.
Ability to juggle many priorities at one time, whilst remaining calm
Frequent exposure to highly distressing circumstances.
Be prepared to handle cadavers; Ability to deal with disfigured bodies, untoward deaths; participates in post mortem on babies, children.

Other Criteria

Essential

Highly developed physical skills requiring accuracy high degree of precision; Dissection and reconstruction, including suturing, of bodies, evisceration of organs; scalpel use; suturing for facial reconstruction corneal retrieval, enucleation.
There is a frequent intense effort for several short periods.
Dress, undress, lift, manoeuvre bodies on a daily basis using a body hoist/without aids, oversize bodies.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Broad range of theoretical and practical knowledge in Anatomical Pathological techniques to Diploma 3 and 4 level or equivalent knowledge plus experience.
Successful completion of the IOSH course Managing Safely for Health Care Professionals.

Desirable

Attendance at eye retrieval course.

Experience

Essential

Experience of implementing HTA and ISO15189 standards.

Desirable

Experience of health and safety / training / quality management procedures.
Experience of conducting audits and risk assessments.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

The ability to work using own initiative and without supervision.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Evidence of good manual dexterity and hand eye coordination.
Demonstration of good organisational skills.
Demonstration of good interpersonal skills.
Conscientious, methodical approach to duties.
Basic use of Microsoft Word and Excel.

Personal Qualities

Essential

An understanding of the political sensitivities of the Trust.
Ability to demonstrate confidentiality and trustworthiness.
The ability to communicate sensitive information where there may be barriers to understanding.
Empathetic skills for communicating with bereaved relatives regarding sensitive situations e.g. religious rites.
A willingness to be flexible and part of a team.
Ability to demonstrate a frequent requirement for a high degree of concentration and attention to detail.
Deal calmly and politely with relatives of the deceased who may be highly emotional.
Ability to juggle many priorities at one time, whilst remaining calm
Frequent exposure to highly distressing circumstances.
Be prepared to handle cadavers; Ability to deal with disfigured bodies, untoward deaths; participates in post mortem on babies, children.

Other Criteria

Essential

Highly developed physical skills requiring accuracy high degree of precision; Dissection and reconstruction, including suturing, of bodies, evisceration of organs; scalpel use; suturing for facial reconstruction corneal retrieval, enucleation.
There is a frequent intense effort for several short periods.
Dress, undress, lift, manoeuvre bodies on a daily basis using a body hoist/without aids, oversize bodies.

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