Anatomical Pathology Technician - Higher (XR05)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals; Leeds; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in the UK is seeking a motivated Anatomical Pathology Technician to perform post-mortem procedures and assist in mortuary services. Candidates must hold an RSPH Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology and demonstrate strong communication skills. This role requires working in a challenging environment, including interacting with bereaved families. A full-time commitment is expected, with the potential for on-call duties.

Qualifications

• Wide experience within mortuaries.

Responsibilities

• Carry out routine and advanced post mortem procedures on both adult and paediatric patients.
• Communicate with bereaved relatives regarding sensitive situations.
• Train and supervise other Anatomical Pathology Technicians and Mortuary support workers.

Skills

Good interpersonal skills

Good communicator

Dexterity

Ability to work flexibly

Ability to work under pressure

Education

RSPH Certificate & Diploma or Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology

Job description

Anatomical Pathology Technician - Higher (XR05)

Applicationsare invited from candidates who hold the RSPH Certificate and Diploma/Level 3Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology for a full-time permanent post inthe Mortuaries.

Thepost is suitable for someone who is highly motivated, enthusiastic and a goodteam worker. This is a challenging and varied role in a busy and sometimesdistressing environment. The postholder will be required to demonstrate high levels of sensitivity andconfidentiality, good verbal and written communication skills, a high degreeof organisation and time management, and the ability to work closely with theMortuary team on a daily basis for the benefit of the community we serve. Youmust be able to work flexibly and be able to adapt to the changing demandswithin the team.

Theposition will include rotation, working between the LGI & SJUHmortuaries.

Thedepartment operates an out of hours On-call rota for evenings, Bank holidaysand weekends, participation in the rota will be required.

Thedepartment currently performs circa 1,200 autopsies per year.

Thedepartment is well equipped, fully computerised and HTA and UKAS accredited.

Expected ShortlistingDate

08/12/2025

Planned InterviewDate

15/12/2025

Main duties of the job

>Asan Anatomical Pathology Technician (APT) you will be a member of a team ofstaff working in the mortuary. You will be required to perform the day-to-daytasks of the mortuary including routine and increased risk cases and advancedpost-mortem procedures for both adult and paediatric patients. You will alsobe required to work alone and independently, for example when working on-callor when performing highly specialized tasks. You will be a competent memberof the department having the specialist knowledge and skills necessary toperform a wide range of specialist techniques that contribute towards theprovision of the mortuary service to the Trust and to HM Coroner.

Youwill assist in the implementation of policies and procedures including SOPs: relevant to the mortuary servicewhich operates on two sites, relevant to service changes whichimpact externally i.e. portering services and funeral directors

Youwill be expected to apply professional judgements and specialist skills tocomplex and sometimes emotive situations e.g., assessing infection risk andpatient conditions. You will berequired to communicate information to colleagues, clinicians, funeraldirectors, HM Coroner, and HM Coroners Officers, Police, other externalhospital and mortuary staff. You willdemonstrate empathetic skills when communicating with bereaved relatives.

About us

Thedepartment provides the Mortuary and Postmortem services for the Trust andH.M. Coroner for Leeds from the mortuaries at the LGI and SJUH hospitals aswell as providing Histopathology, Non Gynae Cytology, Andrology, Muscle,Nerve, Immunohistochemistry, and Molecular services for Leeds TeachingHospitals.

Weare a well equipped and innovative department. We process circa 58,000surgical cases, 3000 andrology cases, 1,200 autopsy cases and 6000non-gynaecological cytology cases per annum.

Weare a continually improving department, striving for high quality staff andprocesses. As a training hospital we serve to expand the knowledge and skillsof all grades of staff. There are plenty of opportunities to become involvedin, and further ddevelopment is encouraged.

Weendeavour to follow 'The Leeds Way' at all times, and our focus is to put thepatient first at all times.

LeedsTeaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job advertsare subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or removeadverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in theshortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while thisprocess is completed, and contact the named contact if you have anyquestions.

Job responsibilities

JOBPURPOSE

Tocarry out routine and advanced post mortem procedures on both adult andpaediatric patients.

Toprepare and facilitate visits for deceased patients and communicate withbereaved relatives.

Totrain and supervise other AP Technicians (APT's) and Mortuary support workers(MSWs)

Tocommunicate with colleagues, clinicians, funeral directors, HM Coroner, andHM Coroners Officers, Police and other external hospital and mortuary staff.

Toassist in the general management requirements of the department, thecompliance of the audit schedule, cleaning and maintenance etc.

KNOWLEDGE,SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Inorder to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you need to havesuccessfully studied for a Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology(RIPHH).

Inaddition, you will need to have a wide experience within the speciality,including a thorough understanding of the range of working practices relatingto advanced autopsy, forensic and infection procedures. You will need to havedeveloped a range of competencies and specialist knowledge within thediscipline through wide practical experience, in house training andstructured study and will continue to develop your skills and knowledge.

Youmay be required to assist in the general management of the department.

Inaddition, basic computer skills are essential to carry out your work.

COREBEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

• to gain new knowledge throughexperience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes
• to be a leading member of a teamproviding a clinical technical service
• to train others and demonstraterelevant tasks to others as appropriate
• to work independently when and asrequired by the service, for instance when working on-call.
• to communicate clearly andeffectively whether orally, graphically or electronically
• to plan, and prioritise, theworkload of the section in the absence ofthe Mortuary Manager or Senior APT Site lead
• to work with precision and followaccurately the documented standard operating procedures
• to operate highly complex mortuaryequipment safely and efficiently
• to perform routine, infectious andadvanced post mortem procedures
• to prepare patients for visits.
• to comply with the Health andSafety requirements of the mortuary service
• to maintain accurate andconfidential records relating to patient information
• to input, manage, extract andinterpret patient data using the departmental computer system
• to contribute actively towards theimprovement of general service quality by participation in relevantdiscussions with other team members and leaders of other sections within thespeciality
• to remain competent in establishedprocedures and to develop new skills subject to the requirements of theservice
• to undertake tasks that contributeto the general management of the speciality
• to take account of changes inservice delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work

COREKNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

• Coordinate the day-to-dayactivities of the mortuary in the absence of the Senior APT Site Lead.
• Perform a wide range of routine andadvanced post mortem procedures on both adult and paediatric patients,including advanced autopsy, forensic and infection procedures. These procedures will include the safe andeffective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. Your level of knowledgeand understanding of these procedures will be consistent with that to allowyou to recognise system failures and errors. You will understand the need toreport adverse events in the event of errors and failures.
• Teach and train other anatomicalpathology technicians, Mortuary support workers and assist with the teachingof trainee pathologists. Demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate.
• Communicate and liaise with staffwithin the Department and with pathologists, clinical staff, bereavementnurses, HM Coroner, HM Coroners Officers, police officers, funeral directorsand bereaved relatives.
• Handle property belonging to thedeceased in a secure manner. Maintain stock control and requisition items asrequired.
• Have knowledge and understanding ofcurrent national legislation and guidelines relevant to the speciality
• Have knowledge and understanding ofthe Human Tissue Act and the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and its impact onthe Mortuary Services
• Understand the Trusts HTAPathology Licence structure and your responsibilities
• Participate actively indepartmental quality assurance activities. Your level of knowledge andunderstanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels of qualityhave not been met together with the ability to recommend appropriateimprovements.
• Participate in performing auditsfor UKAS and the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) Licensing requirements
• Participate in maintaining externalaccreditation compliance, by UKAS and the Human Tissue Authority.
• Participate in the maintenance of asafe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazardsassociated with your work. In addition you will be aware of any suitableactions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazardsinclude fire, manual handling, breaches of security, controlled anduncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.
• Maintain patient confidentiality.You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive informationthat is related to patient care.
• Observe the requirements ofdepartmental policies relating to service provision, for example samplelabeling and adverse event reporting.
• Observe the requirements of Trustpolicies relating to clinical and people governance.

PRINCIPALDUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• To perform a wide range of routineand advanced post mortem procedures on both adult and paediatric patients,including advanced autopsy, forensic and infection procedures. These arehighly developed physical skills where accuracy is important. E.g., dissectionand reconstruction of bodies (including facial reconstruction), suturing,evisceration of organs.
• Assist in dealing with all aspectsof "Increased Risk" cases Hazard group 3 e.g., HIV, Hepatitis C, TBand Covid.
• To perform tasks accurately and inaccordance with departmental standard operating procedures.
• To plan the day-to-day activitieswithin the mortuary in the absence of the Senior APT Site Lead , and toprovide cover on other sites as required.
• To give professional advice, and tocommunicate accurately sensitive and / or complex information to users of theservice in a manner that is in accordance with departmental procedures.(Examples of users are: pathologists, clinical staff, HM Coroner, HMCoroners Officers, police officers, funeral directors, ward staff andbereav nurses).
• To give professional andcompassionate advice to bereaved relatives and funeral directors.
• To communicate with bereavedrelatives regarding sensitive situations, and where there may be barriers tounderstanding.
• To enter, manage, retrieve andinterpret complex patient information using the laboratory computer system.
• To provide patient registration andrelease using manual backup procedures when necessary, using the correctpaperwork
• To participate in equipment testingand adaptation as a function of service development
• To provide training to support andtechnical staff
• To ensure the security of themortuaries is maintained at all times
• To undertake training that may be deemed appropriate for personal and professional development within the post
• To contribute to generaldepartmental management by performing, subject to consultation, such tasks asdelegated by the Mortuary Manager

Thislist is not exhaustive and the changing needs of the service from time totime may require the development of other appropriate tasks and skills. Thesewill be fully discussed with the post holder in advance of theirimplementation.

SPECIALWORKING CONDITIONS

Thejobholder will have frequent exposure to highly unpleasant working conditionse.g., frequent exposure, in controlled conditions, to body fluids,contaminated tissues and fluids (infection risks), and handling decomposedand injured bodies.

Thenature of this work is highly distressing and highly emotional e.g., dealingwith child and infant deaths, disfigured bodies and communicating withbereaved relatives.

Thisjob requires a high degree of dexterity and precision e.g., dissectiontechnique and reconstitution of bodies.

Thisjob may require the holder to participate in stock control, includingmovement of goods, and the movement of deceased patients, some of which willrequire the use of lifting equipment. This will require frequent movement of light and moderate loads up to 15kg, and occasionally heavy loads.

Asa general requirement of this job, the holder will be expected to carry out anumber of specialist technical procedures, where concentration is required.These periods of concentration will be daily and prolonged.

Occasionalexposure to physical aggressive behaviour e.g., when dealing with bereavedrelatives. Occasional exposure toverbal aggression via the telephone can occur.

Theservice is delivered from a two different sites and you will be required, towork on either site on rotation and may be required, to travel between sitesat short notice.

Youwill be required to participate in the On-Call Rota for provision of mortuaryservices.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• RSPH Certificate & Diploma or Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology

Experience

• Wide experience within mortuaries

Skills & behaviours

• Good interpersonal skills, good communicator
• Ability to work flexibly
• Ability to work under pressure
• Dexterity - Good hand / eye coordination
• Physically able to move around and between sites
• Physically able to assist in movement of moderate to heavy loads

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.