Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technologist

University-Hospitals-of-North-Midlands-Nhs-Trust; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust in Stoke-on-Trent invites applications for a Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technologist (Band 3). The role covers all mortuary activities across the network, with full-time hours 37.5 per week at Royal Stoke and Leighton Hospital.

The post is permanent. You will work with the Mortuary Manager, support post mortem preparation, handle deceased bodies with care, and contribute to safe storage, SOPs, and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Numerate and literate.
• Sound education including English language.
• Full driving licence with access to a private vehicle.
• Experienced in use of Masterlab/Winpath.

Responsibilities

• Work between all mortuaries in the network as requested by senior staff.
• Carry out routine work in all sections of the Mortuary as required by the mortuary manager and the senior mortuary technologists.
• Assist the Consultant Pathologists in Post Mortem work including preparation of the deceased, examination of the deceased, reconstruction of the deceased and disinfection of the post mortem room facilities.
• Assist in development of mortuary procedures and protocols relating to Post Mortems and the general operation of the mortuary service.
• Provide data entry support relating to the receipt and removal of the deceased; carry out other office duties as requested by the manager.
• Maintain quality standards and adhere to SOPs; support the mortuary manager to deliver a high quality service.
• Be an efficient and flexible member of the mortuary team and contribute to professional mortuary service.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

IT literacy

Resilience

Education

Numerate and literate

Sound education including English language

Full driving licence with access to a private vehicle

Tools

Masterlab/Winpath

Job description

Main area Mortuary Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent: The position will cover all 4 sites in the network Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday 08:00 - 16:00) Job ref 205-8243647

Employer University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Stoke University Hospital Town Stoke on Trent Salary £25,760 - £27,476 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 14/09/2026 23:59

Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technologist

Band 3

Job overview

At present, University Hospitals of North Midlands is unable to offer visa sponsorship for Band 2 to Band 4 roles, as these positions do not meet the minimum salary and skill thresholds required under UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations.

The University Hospital of North Midlands, Mid Cheshire and East Cheshire NHS Trusts are working collaboratively to form a Pathology network in line with a NHSI directive.

We have an excellent opportunity for a Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technologist to join our friendly team at Leighton Hospital.
Working with the Mortuary Manager you will have responsibility for delivering a full range of mortuary activities and take personal responsibility for the undertaking of all duties related to admission, identification and safe storage of deceased bodies for post mortem examination in accordance with the service procedures.

There is a requirement to hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a motor vehicle. Applications will not proceed with out this.

Main duties of the job

You will be:
Able to easily always adopt a methodical approach to work and be able to prioritise your workload effectively.
Possess a high level of resilience, emotional stability and maturity.
Able to deal with distressing situations in a professional, dignified and respectful manner.
Adaptable to change and able to contribute to service improvements.
Able to demonstrate the highest standards of personal conduct, honesty, integrity at all times
Be an effective team player.

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To work between all mortuaries in the network as requested by senior staff.

• Hours of work are Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm. During winter months December – March the core hours are between 6:00am – 6:00pm, which may include some Saturdays.
• To carry out routine work in all sections of the Mortuary as required by the mortuary manager and the senior mortuary technologists'.
• To assist the Consultant Pathologists in Post Mortem work including the preparation of the deceased, the examination of the deceased, the re-construction of the deceased and the disinfection of the post mortem room facilities.
• To assist in the development of mortuary procedures and protocols relating to Post Mortems and the general operation of the mortuary service.
• To provide data entry support in relation to the receipt and removal of the deceased. To carry out any other office related duties as requested by the manager.
• The post holder will be required to perform a range of routine and non-routine tasks within the mortuary, following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including the Pathology Quality Policy to provide technical support the mortuary manager in order to ensure a high quality service.
• To work within the written Policies and Procedures of the Department especially in relation to Health and Safety and Quality. Assists with the monitoring of quality standards within the department.
• To be an efficient and flexible member of the mortuary team assisting in the delivery of the service.
• To assist the mortuary manager in providing a professional and dignified mortuary service for the trust.
• To take part in both routine and specialised post mortem services on behalf of the coroner.
• To take part in the mortuary out of hours service once trained.
• To adhere to all mortuary standard operational procedures.
• Maintains clinical records in relation to work carried out.
• Complete the level 3 diploma qualification in Anatomical Pathology Technology in a reasonable timeframe set out by the manager.
• You will hold a full driving licence with access to a private motor vehicle to travel between sites, and to take part in the on call service once trained.

Education and qualifications

• Numerate and literate and able to handle numbers accurately and without error.
• Sound Education including English Language.
• Full driving licence with access to a private vehicle
• Experienced in use of Masterlab/Winpath

Experience

• Experience of working in a customer facing environment
• Experience of working as a team
• Familiarity with current mortuary practices and the legal requirements of the service
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the HTA

Skills, ability and knowledge

• Intermediate and accurate IT skills
• Demonstrate high level of accuracy and an eye for detail
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Work as an individual and as part of a team
• Communicate effectively and accurately with colleagues and service users at all levels
• Work to required quality standards

Important information about your application

• All correspondence will be sent to you via the email address you applied from. Please ensure you check your emails regularly.
• References - please ensure you provide email addresses for all referees for the last three years of employment.
• We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from everyone regardless of ethnicity, disability, gender, age, faith or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.
• Flexible working will be considered in line with Trust policies
• New recruits are required to pay for their Disclosure and Barring Service check (and admin fee) prior to starting if the role requires a DBS check.

Visa eligibility notice:

• Skilled Worker visas cannot currently be issued to Afghan nationals.
• Study visas cannot currently be issued to nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar or Sudan.
  As a result, we are unable to progress applications requiring sponsorship under these routes.

UHNM supports the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist in preparing your supporting statement. However, we reserve the right to reject applications where AI has been used in a misleading manner, for example, by implying experience or understanding that the applicant does not possess or where its use is excessive or unfair. If AI has been used to support your application, you must declare this within your submission.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Informal visits will be welcomed following short listing.

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has been awarded the Gold Award for proudly supporting those who serve. We actively encourage applications from the Armed Forces community.