Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technologist

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. (Candidates who are already on the course or due to complete the course are welcome to apply).

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.

Cross site work will also be required with King's College Hospital Denmark Hill.

About us

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. In June 2026, we launched our new strategy for 2026-31. Our vision is to transform healthcare, and we have agreed six strategic ambitions to help us improve care for patients, and the working lives of our staff.

Our six strategic ambitions are deliveringhigh-quality patient care; creating a great place to work; leading pioneering research, innovation and education; building strong and successful partnerships; providing timely and efficient care; and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

We have also agreed four new organisational values - Caring, Collaborative, Inclusive, Innovative - and these underpin everything we do, and how our teams interact with the patients under our care.

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.

Job responsibilities

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 guideline

Person specification

Experience

Essential

• Good standard of general education GCSE's
• Ability to use the internet for the benefit of the department
• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing

Desirable

• Experience in working with bereaved relatives
• Experience in working with deceased patients