Anatomical Pathology Technician

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust; Woodside; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking a qualified mortuary anatomical pathology technician to join the Cellular Pathology team. The role involves post mortem work, managing deceased patient records, and participating in preparation tasks. Ideal candidates will possess excellent communication skills, organization, and attention to detail. NHS experience is a plus, with training opportunities available.

Qualifications

• Experience in an NHS mortuary is beneficial.
• Ability to concentrate for long periods.
• Good keyboard skills and computer literacy.

Responsibilities

• Participate in post mortem work.
• Maintain logs and register deceased patients.
• Prepare bodies for viewings and identifications.

Skills

Team player

Excellent communication skills

Good organization

Manual dexterity

Attention to detail

Job description

Overview

We are seeking to appoint a fully qualified mortuary anatomical pathology technician to join our Cellular Pathology team. The successful candidate will work closely with anatomical pathology technicians, mortuary assistants and Pathologists during the making of a post mortem and will spend time in all areas of the mortuary. Following training, you will work from Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital North Durham as needed. Part of the training will be provided from neighbouring NHS Trusts. You will also take part in the on call rota. The ability to travel across sites is essential. We provide hospital services from two acute sites and serve multiple locations across the region.

Responsibilities

• Post mortem work, including forensic, which may be in a neighbouring NHS Trust.
• Receipt and registration of deceased patients.
• Release of deceased patients to funeral directors.
• Entering patient details onto the laboratory computer system and inputting the correct tests; maintain all required logs.
• Answering reception and telephone queries and liaising with other Trust staff and the general public.
• Preparing bodies for the purpose of relative viewings and police identification.
• Organising referral work, packaging and sending of samples to other Trust sites and to other Trusts nationwide.
• Stock control including receiving and receipting deliveries, documenting and organising batches of reagents and performing verification tasks.
• Cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas.
• Demonstrating duties to other staff.

Requirements and Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will be a team player with excellent communication skills, good organisation and manual dexterity, and a keen eye for detail. Manual handling is a core part of the role. Ability to concentrate for long periods and a keen interest in pathology. Good keyboard skills and computer literacy. A trainee post could be offered to a candidate with current NHS mortuary experience.
• From 9 April 2025 — Healthcare assistants: a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as an HCA is required for sponsorship consideration (sponsorship considered only if criteria are met and a current visa expires within 3 months).
• You must be able to produce all certificates stated as essential in the person specification to complete pre-employment checks.
• You must accept an interview slot in the system to continue if you are being interviewed.
• You must check visa requirements and eligibility online to determine whether you can apply.

Additional Information

• We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
• We provide hospital services from two acute sites — Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham; a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland; and care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale, as well as over 80 other community settings and in patients' homes.
• Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
• For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, check online to determine whether you can apply.