Trainee/Junior Anatomical Pathology Technologist

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 07 May 2025

Job summary

This post is based within the mortuary department at Princess Royal University Hospital Orpington. The Mortuary provides services to the Trust, Bromley & Bexley council. The Mortuary provides storage facility, a post mortem service for HM Coroners and the Trust inc. High Risk, Routine, Forensic and Private Post Mortem Service, a facility for relatives to visit, police identification facility and a 24 hour on call service.

The post holder is managed by the Service Lead for Mortuary & Bereavement Services and Senior APT. They will participate in all areas of the Mortuary service . The post holder must play an active role in providing a high quality Mortuary service, thus meeting the requirements of the Trust, relevant legislation, HM Coroners and the local Borough Councils.

To engage in meaningful communication with staff, colleagues and users/stakeholders to ensure that quality standards are met and that the overall service is in keeping with changing needs and legislation. To work towards gaining qualifications which will lead to attaining the level 3 Diploma and then level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology awarded by Royal Institute of Public Health (If level 3 qualified will be placed onto the level 4 Diploma). The post holder will be required to work directly in most areas of the Mortuary. This will include assisting in conducting post mortems, recording samples for laboratory analysis, release and receipt of deceased and organising viewings for relatives.

Main duties of the job

To assist in the day to day running of the mortuary department as well as work with the Bereavement service team at Princess Royal University Hospital.
The post holder will undertake a broad range of routine and specialist activities, ensuring the provision of a high quality and responsive service, meeting both regulatory and accreditation requirements specifically HTA.
The post holder will participate in all aspects of the department including post mortem provision, on call, audits, quality management, SOP's, training, appraisals, health and safety, bereavement services, incident reporting and HTA.
The post holder will assist in the management of trainees.
The post holder will work with all in the continuous improvement of service delivery and quality within all areas of mortuary.
The post holder is expected to carry out Administration duties and assist in smooth running of the office.
Post holder will be trained in Post Mortems services for Trust and Coroner Cases. This includes Routine and Forensic Post Mortems. (If post holder is already level 3 qualified will be expected to carry out Cat 3 High Risk)
The post hold is also required to part take in the on-call rota for both Trust and Coroners Service. Candidates MUST be able to attend site within an hour of the on call request, so that they can attend the mortuary for call out in a suitable time frame.

About us

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1.8 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Date posted

23 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£31,081 to £33,665 a year per annum, including high cost allowance

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

213-PRUH-7118822-A

Job locations

Princess Royal University Hospital

Farnborough Common

Orpington

BR6 8ND

Job description

Job responsibilities

General Duties:

To participate in the daily workload of the mortuary, including office duties, body management and viewing areas, whilst adhering to departmental protocols.

To ensure all patient demographic details are quality checked and any amendments/ corrections are carried out in an accurate and timely fashion, whilst adhering to departmental protocols.

To ensure the smooth running of the mortuary office and post mortem service on a daily basis.

To organise daily office routines, such as keeping databases and relevant paperwork up to date.

To support the Mortuary team with administrative needs including managing the mortuary diary.

To ensure that all records are maintained accurately within line to GDPR.

To liaise with the Mortuary & Bereavement Team and relatives to arrange body viewings as required.

Manage and resolve potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner.

Participate in the utilisation of appropriate document management system.

To present the department in a positive light, by maintaining a courteous, friendly and helpful manner at all times

Participate in regular departmental meetings and assist in the production of documented minutes

Assist with investigations and responding to complaints in line with Trust Policy.

To ensure that relatives are supported, offered advice if requested, and treated with courtesy and consideration at all times.

To ensure that any relatives complaints and concerns are dealt with or passed on to the appropriate person in a timely manner.

To maintain mortuary equipment on a day to day basis in accordance with policies/procedures and in accordance with manufacturers guidelines.

Maintain appropriate records within the department Mortuary database (Eden), Post Mortem scheduling database (Huddle), Post Mortem log, Equipment servicing log and Fridge/Freezer temperatures log.

Post Mortem:

Participate in all other aspects of mortuary and bereavement services ensuring the effective, professional, cost effective service.

Liaison with external agencies including the Coroners office, Police, GPs, Treasury Solicitors, councils and financial institutions.

To ensure all organs, tissue, blood and other samples are appropriately labelled, recorded and tracked and disposal records maintained.

Arrange documentation and deactivation of defibrillators and perform removal of pacemakers and defibrillators where required during post mortem examination.

To take an active role in Health and Safety ensuring safe, and appropriate working practises within the Post Mortem Room.

Participate in routine and specialised post mortem provision ensuring HTA, AAPT and RCPATH Guidelines at all times. Post Mortem including Forensic Post Mortems,if level 3 qualified in High Risk Post Mortems.

Quality Management:

To assist in audits and reviewing of SOPs to ensure that all procedures undertaken, within the department, are covered and updated.

To engage and participate as required in the departmental Quality Management System, including document control, audits and continuous improvement of the Mortuary department, Eden and Q-Pulse.

To liaise with funeral directors or authorised persons. To be responsible for the release of deceased in line with departmental, Trust and HTA policies, ensuring all appropriate documentation is received/given as appropriate.

Take an active role in quality and quality management to ensure the departments obligations for HTA compliance.

Training/Development:

Attend appropriate training courses as agreed with Service Lead. Compile a personal portfolio.

Work with senior staff in professional development.

To work toward gaining the level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology examination. Or if Level 3 qualified working towards Level 4 qualification.

To keep up to date with current mortuary practice and guidance from the Health and Safety Executive and any other professional bodies relating to mortuaries, post mortem rooms and retained organs.

To be responsible for his/her own continuing professional development to maintain the effectiveness and quality of the Mortuary service.

To attend all mandatory training sessions as set out by the Trust.

To work in a timely, logical manner to ensure maximum use of professional time, good time management skills and skill mix.

Other:

Ensure efficient and professional liaison with clinical, nursing and clerical staff.

To assist Histopathology and Bereavement with the sensitive disposal of POCs, ensuring compliance with Trust policy and national guidelines.

Participate in cleaning/disinfection/maintenance of the department, ensuring the creation and maintaining of cleaning and maintenance records.

Participate in departmental meetings and minute taking.

Cleaning etc, ensuring compliance with HTA and AAPT Standards.

To ensure that all relevant risk assessments are read and understood, to make sure all health & safety risks are known.

Ensure cultural and religious beliefs are respected and complied with at all times.

Participate in the future development of Mortuary and Bereavement services.

To deal with stock take and linen.

Participate in on call service rota.

RISK AND CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

Understand and interpret Trust, HTA and AAPT standards to ensure implementation of local policies and compliance with legislation/targets within the designated service.

To undertake regular audits within the department.

Understanding of HTARI reporting and complaint reporting as well as process of reporting.

Assist in review of SOPs with senior member of staff

Actively participate in incident reporting.

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING and EXPERIENCE:

To satisfy entry criteria for enrolment on the level 3 Diploma or Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology course offered by the Royal society of Public Health.

To progress toward completing a portfolio associated with the level 3 Diploma or Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology.

To comply with good mortuary practices required for the standards of Human Tissue Authority.