East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Anatomical Pathology Technologist

The closing date is 20 November 2025

Job summary

We are pleased to invite applications to join our mortuary team at Colchester Hospital.

Ideally, you will hold the Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology (or above/equivalent) along with a proven years post qualification experience working within a mortuary environment. It is essential that you are competent to deal with all types of Post Mortem examinations; including high-risk cases.

We will also consider your application if you are part qualified or if you are new to Anatomical Pathology possessing the right attitude and some relevant experience in a related field. You will be recruited as a trainee ATP starting at a lower band. Training will be provided for you subject to Trust terms and conditions.

You will possess a positive and flexible attitude and ensure you uphold the Trust's core values at all times. Providing efficient and high quality post mortem services to HM Coroner on behalf of ESNEFT, you will be expected to maintain compliance with the Human tissue Authority Standards and codes of Practice.

You will be based at Colchester Hospital Mortuary; though there may be an occasional requirement to work at our Ipswich Hospital Mortuary site.

Reporting to the Senior Anatomical Pathology Technologist, you shall ensure day to day services are delivered to the highest standards.

You shall participate in provision of the out of hour's service to the Trust and HM Coroner.

Main duties of the job

  • The daily administration, cleaning, disinfection and care of the Mortuary Department and to ensure that it is hygienic, safe and efficient at all times.
  • The daily cleaning, sterilising and maintenance of equipment and instruments required by Consultant Histopathologists and Mortuary personnel and to report deficiencies to the Mortuary Manager.
  • Arrange for relatives and police to identify the deceased and offer support to the bereaved.
  • Ensure that only accepted religious rites are observed in the Mortuary as authorised.
  • To take part in the out of hours on-call service to H.M. Coroner and the Trust.
  • To offer advice and assistance to funeral directors on matters pertaining to mortuary issues as necessary

About us

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you

Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Details

Date posted

06 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

432-HR856-25

Job locations

Colchester Hospital

Turner Road

Colchester

CO4 5JL


Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of safe manual handling of deceased
  • Communicating with bereaved/distressed families
  • Proven experience of post mortem work post qualification including experience of forensic post mortem work

Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or equivalent

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of a range of post mortem dissection techniques
  • Knowledge of Health & Safety Regulations and issues, including infectious diseases, dangerous chemicals & gases.

Desirable

  • Information Technology skills (experience of database systems)
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of safe manual handling of deceased
  • Communicating with bereaved/distressed families
  • Proven experience of post mortem work post qualification including experience of forensic post mortem work

Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or equivalent

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of a range of post mortem dissection techniques
  • Knowledge of Health & Safety Regulations and issues, including infectious diseases, dangerous chemicals & gases.

Desirable

  • Information Technology skills (experience of database systems)

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.

Employer details

Employer name

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Colchester Hospital

Turner Road

Colchester

CO4 5JL


Employer's website

https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Colchester Hospital

Turner Road

Colchester

CO4 5JL


Employer's website

https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Matron, Cancer and Diagnostic Division

Nicola Surman-Wells

nicola.surmanwells@esneft.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

06 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

432-HR856-25

Job locations

Colchester Hospital

Turner Road

Colchester

CO4 5JL


Supporting documents

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