Senior Anatomical Pathology Technician / Trainee Senior APT

UHCW NHS Trust; Coventry; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in Coventry is seeking a committed Senior Anatomical Pathology Technologist to manage mortuary operations and support post-mortem examinations. Candidates must hold a Diploma in APT and have significant mortuary experience. This role requires excellent organizational skills and the ability to lead a skilled team. Join a reputed organization known for research and innovation with opportunities for learning and development.

Benefits

Learning and development opportunities

Reputation for research and innovation

Pathway to Excellence® designation

Qualifications

• Significant current practical mortuary experience.
• Knowledge of all types of PM examinations.
• UKAS accreditation, UKDVI and AHCS registration encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the duties of running the mortuary.
• Supervise daily mortuary activities.
• Work alone to facilitate the Coroner's work.
• Attend meetings and training sessions as directed.

Skills

Excellent organisational skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to work flexibly

Team leadership

Education

Diploma in APT

Job description

Overview

A Vacancy at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a committed and experienced full time Band 5 Senior Anatomical Pathology Technologist to join our hardworking and friendly team.
Applications from those working towards completion of the RSPH level 4 diploma are also welcome. If you are still working towards the RSPH level 4 diploma, you would work as a band 4 pending completion if successfully appointed. Upon completion you would progress to a band 5 position.
The department currently provides a service as part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Services, dealing with both Hospital and Community deaths across Coventry and Warwickshire. The service covers three mortuaries, University Hospital Coventry NHS Trust, Rugby St Cross and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust conducting hospital, coronial, high risk and forensic post mortem examinations.
Please note that a job share will be considered if service requirements are met.
Applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.
Individuals should be motivated, be able to maintain confidentiality, have excellent communication/interpersonal skills, be well organised, be able to present to clinical staff and be able to lead a highly skilled team.
The candidate must hold the Diploma in APT and have significant current practical mortuary experience. Experience and knowledge of all practices including all types of PM examinations is essential. The department is UKAS accredited and holds HTA licences and encourages all staff to be UKDVI and AHCS registered.
Out of hours cover is provided via an on‑call system and the successful candidate will be expected to assist in the provision of this service.
Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

Responsibilities

Assist in the duties of running the mortuary predominately at UHCW however cover of Warwick and Rugby Hospital when service needs require. UHCW is the West Midlands Forensic Centre and Designated Disaster Mortuary so the candidate will be expected to understand and partake in the out of hours provisions.
Out of hours cover is provided via an on‑call system and the successful candidate will be expected to assist in the provision of this service.
The candidate will also be responsible for the following:

• To keep accurate and complete records and ensure that the mortuary registers are kept up to date.
• To supervise the daily mortuary activities as part of the team.
• To work alone when necessary to facilitate the Coroner's work and the routine mortuary duties.
• To be responsible for the day‑to‑day running of the mortuary on multiple sites following Trust policies.
• To ensure that all deceased are admitted and registered following Trust policy.
• To ensure that all deceased are released from the mortuary following Trust policy.
• To attend meetings and training sessions as directed by the manager.
• To participate in training sessions for service users, internal and external.
• To arrange and prepare viewings/Ids in the viewing room.
• To accompany families to the viewing room as needed.
• To liaise with next of kin in a professional, sympathetic but practical manner.
• To arrange official identifications on behalf of Her Majesties Coroner and when necessary act as Identifying Officer.
• To follow the guidelines set out by the HTA when handling specimens.
• To ensure secure postage of any specimens leaving the department, preparing specimens for transport appropriately.
• To have an ability to work flexibly across multiple sites within our network.

Qualifications

• Hold the Diploma in APT.
• Significant current practical mortuary experience.
• Knowledge of all types of PM examinations.
• UKAS accredited, UKDVI and AHCS registered encouraged.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.

Benefits

By joining our exciting journey you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. The Trust has a reputation for research and innovation and is recognised as a Pathway to Excellence® designated organisation.

Equality and Diversity

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Contact

For further details of the job role please see attached job description.
This advert closes on Monday 27 Oct 2025.