Lead Anatomical Pathology Technician

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board; Cwmbran; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent health organization in Wales seeks a Lead Anatomical Pathology Technician to oversee mortuary operations, ensuring adherence to health and safety standards. Responsibilities include assisting in post-mortem examinations, training staff, and effectively communicating with stakeholders. Ideal candidates should possess a Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology and leadership experience in a mortuary setting. This role provides opportunities for personal growth and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Occupational health support

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a range of mortuary duties.
• Excellent health and safety awareness.
• Knowledge of postmortem dissection techniques.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of the mortuary service.
• Assist pathologists in post-mortem examinations.
• Oversee compliance with HTA regulations.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Cultural awareness

Mentoring skills

Education

Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology

Recognised Management Qualification

Job description

The Lead APT is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the mortuary service, ensuring highest standards of dignified, safe and effective care of deceased patients.

The role combines advanced technical expertise in anatomical pathology, with leadership and mentoring responsibilities of APT's and TraineeAPT's.

Assisting the Care After Death and mortuary Services Directorate Support Manager with ensuring adherence to Human Tissue Authority regulations and other relevant legislation relating to quality and health and safety.

Ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the post-mortem service, supporting Pathologists, Coroners and Clinical teams.

Works independently within occupational, departmental policies, procedures.

Main duties of the job

• Assisting pathologists in a wide range of post-mortem examinations (routine and high-risk cases).
• Preparing patients for post-mortem examination.
• Performing evisceration, dissection, meticulous reconstruction and cleaning of the deceased patient to ensure a high standard of presentation for viewing.
• Taking, handling, accurate documentation and traceability of samples (tissue, fluids etc) for further analysis, storage, or disposal in line with HTA compliance.
• Receive and store specimens taken for analysis and laboratory examination in a safe manner, in line with HTA requirements.
• Preparing deceased patients for viewings, communication with bereaved families, conducting viewings.
• Overseeing Police, family, DNA and dental record identifications.
• To ensure all mortuary equipment is serviced and maintained according to schedules.
• Assisting with training Care After Death team members, Porter staff and other staff groups in safe and correct use of mortuary equipment and departmental procedures.
• Communication with bereaved families, clinical staff, police, coroners, funeral directors and other internal/external stakeholders.
• To take part in the out of hours on-call service to H.M. Coroner and the Trust.

Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply

About us

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi-award-winning NHS organisation with a passion for caring. The Health Board provides an exceptional workplace where you can feel trusted and valued. Whatever your specialty or stage in your career, we have opportunities for everyone to start, grow and build your career. The health board provides integrated acute, primary and community care serving a population of 650,000 and employing over 16,000 staff.

We offer a fantastic benefits package and extensive training and development opportunities with paid mandatory training, excellent in-house programmes, opportunities to complete recognised qualifications and professional career pathways including a range of management development programmes. We offer flexible working and promote a healthy work life balance, provide occupational health support and an ambitious plan for a Wellbeing Centre of Excellence to support you at work.

Our Clinical Futures strategy continues to enhance and promote care closer to home as well as high quality hospital care when needed. Join us on our journey to pioneer new ways of working and deliver a world‑class healthcare service fit for the future.

Job responsibilities

• Assisting pathologists in a wide range of post-mortem examinations (routine and high‑risk cases).
• Preparing patients for post‑mortem examination.
• Performing evisceration, dissection, meticulous reconstruction and cleaning of the deceased patient to ensure a high standard of presentation for viewing.
• Taking, handling, accurate documentation and traceability of samples (tissue, fluids etc) for further analysis, storage, or disposal in line with HTA compliance.
• Receive and store specimens taken for analysis and laboratory examination in a safe manner, in line with HTA requirements.
• Preparing deceased patients for viewings, communication with bereaved families, conducting viewings.
• Overseeing Police, family, DNA and dental record identifications.
• To ensure all mortuary equipment is serviced and maintained according to schedules.
• Assisting with training Care After Death team members, Porter staff and other staff groups in safe and correct use of mortuary equipment and departmental procedures.
• Communication with bereaved families, clinical staff, police, coroners, funeral directors and other internal/external stakeholders.
• To take part in the out of hours on‑call service to H.M. Coroner and the Trust.

Please see attached Job Description for more information.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or equivalent practical experience within post-mortem and mortuary setting.
• Excellent level of health and safety, quality management systems and governance awareness.
• Extensive experience in a range of mortuary duties
• Recognised Management Qualification

Experience

• Extensive experience in working in a mortuary setting and the provision of a post-mortem service under the instruction of H.M. Coroner and proven leadership skills.
• Knowledge and experience of a range of postmortem dissection techniques.
• Successful mentoring and training APT's/Trainee APT's.
• A thorough understanding of HTA regulations, standards and expectations.

Skills

• Experience of writing SOPs, conducting risk assessments and use of quality management systems.
• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to a range of stakeholders and to bereaved families in an empathetic and professional manner.
• Ability to organise own workload and that of a team of APT's in response to departmental need.
• Cultural awareness and respect for varying religious and cultural practices surrounding death.
• Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh

Other

• Flexible to the needs of the service and partake in the on‑call rota.

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.