Anatomical Pathology Technician - Mortuary

Job summary

We are recruiting for an Anatomical Pathology Technicianwho share/s our vision to be trusted to provide consistently outstanding care and exemplary service to our patients.

As we promote exceptional patient care to our deceased and their families, we are looking to recruit a highly motivated and enthusiastic Anatomical Pathology Technician to join our Mortuary Team based at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage.

You will be working alongside the Bereavement Team to ensure the service meets HTA Codes of Practice, provides a service which observes patient dignity and supports other stakeholders to carry out their roles and responsibilities.

At the heart of everything we do are our core values:Include,Respect, andImprove. We encourage you to embrace these values throughout the recruitment process and in your role with us.

We will consider applications for a Trainee APT, where Agenda for Change conditions will apply.

Main duties of the job

Liaise with service users, medical staff, senior management, technical staff and other departments/services within ENHT (including ward staff, hospital administration staff, porters, clinical coordinators, chaplaincy) on a regular basis on matters relating to the routine operation of the mortuary.

Prepare deceased for post mortem and assist pathologists using specialised skills during the examination as directed, and ensure deceased are reconstructed to a high standard using appropriate suturing/alternative techniques following post mortem.

Preserve, store and arrange transport for specimens required for histological, toxicology and biological examination

About us

At East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, we are proud of the range of general & specialist services we provide & our 6,000 or so dedicated staff ensure our patients get the best care. Our ability to be flexible & innovative in the way in which we work and deliver our services to our catchment has never been more important than it is now.

We run the following hospitals:

• The Lister Hospital, Stevenage
• New Queen Elizabeth II (New QEII), Welwyn Garden City
• Hertford County, Hertford
• Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC), Northwood

We have ambitious plans to become an outstanding, patient-led Trust where dedicated staff provide high-quality, compassionate care to our patients. We continue to undergo significant transformation; our staff & patients are at the heart of delivering this ambitious agenda.

We understand that finding and starting a new job is an important life decision. If you need reasonable adjustments for a disability, or a life event, such as menopause - so that we can consider your application fairly & to get the best out of you during the selection process, please let us know.

We are committed to a positive work life balance for our employees. Employees are entitled to seek to work flexible working patterns & we are committed to listen and consider all requests. Such requests, of course, have to be made & considered formally, & will need to be balanced against service needs, but our starting point will always be to find ways to support making them happen.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification applicant pack for further detailed information regarding this role.

Person specification

Qualifications/Training

Desirable

• Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology, RSPH Level 3 or equivalent recognised qualification
• Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or willingness to undertake further relevant professional development.
• Relevant leadership, teaching, training or assessor qualification.
• Bereavement Training or relevant experience
• Evidence of continuing personal/professional development

Previous Experience

Desirable

• Experience of working with and understanding the requirements of HM Coroner.
• Experience of routine, complex and non-routine post-mortem examinations.
• Experience of managing high-risk, infectious, bariatric, trauma or other complex cases.
• Experience of providing professional guidance and support to less experienced staff.
• Experience of training, mentoring and supporting the development of staff or trainees.
• Experience of undertaking staff competency assessments.
• Experience of developing, reviewing and implementing SOPs, procedures and other controlled documentation.
• Experience of undertaking departmental audits and monitoring resulting actions
• Experience of working within HTA requirements and regulatory standards.
• Experience of accurate record keeping and maintaining patient traceability.
• Experience of working autonomously and managing non-routine technical and operational situations.
• Experience of supporting incident, complaint or non-conformance investigations.
• Experience of contributing to service improvement projects.

Skills

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to support the coordination and prioritisation of the daily workload within a busy mortuary service.
• Ability to work autonomously and make appropriate decisions within the scope of the role.
• Ability to recognise professional and operational limitations and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Excellent organisational, time management and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to respond effectively to competing demands, changing priorities and unexpected operational situations.
• Practical and analytical approach to problem solving.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Ability to manage difficult situations and resolve operational conflicts appropriately.
• Ability to analyse information from audits, incidents and service activity and contribute to service improvements.
• Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office, email, databases and spreadsheets.

Desirable

• Ability to provide senior technical advice, guidance and support to other staff.
• Ability to motivate, train and develop others.

Knowledge

Desirable

• Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of mortuary practice.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of the Human Tissue Act and relevant HTA Codes of Practice and licensing standards.
• Knowledge of the role and requirements of HM Coroner.
• Working knowledge of the Medical Examiner system and processes.
• Comprehensive understanding of death certification procedures and the relevant legal framework.
• Knowledge of consent, tissue retention, traceability and the management of human tissue.
• Knowledge of health and safety, COSHH, infection prevention and control, manual handling and risk management requirements relevant to mortuary practice.
• Knowledge of NHS governance, incident reporting, confidentiality and information governance requirements.
• Knowledge of quality management systems, audit and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of relevant Trust policies and procedures.
• Experience of using electronic mortuary databases, such as Eden.

Other Requirements

Essential

• Understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion
• Role model the Trust values every day.
• Understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to communicate sensitively and professionally with bereaved people.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Flexibility in approach to working hours and service requirements
• Ability to participate in the mortuary on-call rota where required.
• Necessary fitness and capability to undertake the physical requirements of the role
• Commitment to continuing professional development and maintaining professional competence.
• Ability to participate in the mortuary on-call rota as required.