Anatomical Pathology Technologist

Job summary

The Mortuary and Bereavement Service consists of APTs, both qualified and trainees, Bereavement Officers, a Mortuary Assistant and administrative staff, working closely with Consultant and Junior Histopathologists from Cellular Pathology.

This department sits within the Directorate of Haematology, Cellular Pathology and Supporting Services.. The Cellular Pathology laboratories and its scientific staff are managed independently by GSTS Pathology (Synnovis). There are two mortuaries, one at Guy's and another at St Thomas' Hospital. St Thomas' acts as the main mortuary and is the site for all post-mortem examinations and related activity.

Main duties of the job

This is a post for an Anatomical Pathology Technologist (APT) who holds both the Certificate & Diploma of Anatomical Pathology Technology or the Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology technology with relevant, extensive and demonstrable experience. As an APT in the Mortuary and Bereavement Service (MBS) the post holder is expected to support both junior and senior staff, work as part of a team on a rotational basis within all specialities of Mortuary and Bereavement work and rotate between Guy's and St Thomas'.

About us

Guy's and St Thomas' NHSFT comprises 5 of the UK's best known hospitals - Guy's, St Thomas', Evelina London Children's, Royal Brompton and Harefield - as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.

We are among the UK's busiest, most successful trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.

We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and - as part of King's Health Partners - we are one of England's 8 academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research.

We have around 22,700 staff, making us one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. We aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and continue to develop new and existing partnerships with local people, patients, neighbouring NHS organisations, local authorities and charitable bodies and GPs.

We strive to recruit and retain the best staff as the dedication and skills of our employees lie at the heart of our organisation and ensure that our services are of the highest quality, safe and focused on our patients.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Scientific and Technical

• To assist the pathology staff with post-mortem examinations (adult, paediatric & perinatal)
• Gather all notes, x-rays and information for the pathologist.
• To reconstruct patients to high standard (adult, paediatric and perinatal) following a post-mortem examination.
• To assist in the basic & advanced training of junior staff, both practical and theoretical.
• To oversee and assist the junior staff on a day-to-day basis
• To take, process and store digital images (photographic and radiology) as part of the post-mortem examination
• To ensure the post-mortem room and equipment is prepared for all types of post-mortem examinations.
• To ensure patients are accurately received, identified, registered, weighed, measured and labelled.
• To assist the pathologist during histological cut up sessions following fixation of tissue samples after the post-mortem examination.
• To assist and ensure thorough cleaning and disinfection of all tools and surfaces in the PM rooms after the days examinations are complete.
• To deliver or arrange delivery of samples taken at post-mortem examination.
• To maintain equipment on a day-to-day basis in accordance with department policies/procedures and in accordance with manufactures guidelines.
• To be responsible for the release and transfer of patients from the unit to the authorised person for collection.

Clinical & Clerical To book viewings and, when necessary, accompany and assist the bereaved in the Mortuary visitors room.

• To prepare and layout patients for viewing, including high-risk cases.
• To carry out any cleaning and dressing of patients as required.
• To accompany visitors and facilitate official identifications on behalf of HM Coroner.
• To ensure that the bereaved are supported and treated with courtesy and consideration at all times.
• To ensure accurate records of patients property are maintained
• To assist the Senior Specialist APTs plan work schedules and staff allocation to tasks.
• To give both basic and specialist lectures to groups who attend the Mortuary and Bereavement Service and throughout the hospital.

Please review job description document full responsibilities.

Job description
Job responsibilities

Scientific and Technical

• To assist the pathology staff with post-mortem examinations (adult, paediatric & perinatal)
• Gather all notes, x-rays and information for the pathologist.
• To reconstruct patients to high standard (adult, paediatric and perinatal) following a post-mortem examination.
• To assist in the basic & advanced training of junior staff, both practical and theoretical.
• To oversee and assist the junior staff on a day-to-day basis
• To take, process and store digital images (photographic and radiology) as part of the post-mortem examination
• To ensure the post-mortem room and equipment is prepared for all types of post-mortem examinations.
• To ensure patients are accurately received, identified, registered, weighed, measured and labelled.
• To assist the pathologist during histological cut up sessions following fixation of tissue samples after the post-mortem examination.
• To assist and ensure thorough cleaning and disinfection of all tools and surfaces in the PM rooms after the days examinations are complete.
• To deliver or arrange delivery of samples taken at post-mortem examination.
• To maintain equipment on a day-to-day basis in accordance with department policies/procedures and in accordance with manufactures guidelines.
• To be responsible for the release and transfer of patients from the unit to the authorised person for collection.

Clinical & Clerical To book viewings and, when necessary, accompany and assist the bereaved in the Mortuary visitors room.

• To prepare and layout patients for viewing, including high-risk cases.
• To carry out any cleaning and dressing of patients as required.
• To accompany visitors and facilitate official identifications on behalf of HM Coroner.
• To ensure that the bereaved are supported and treated with courtesy and consideration at all times.
• To ensure accurate records of patients property are maintained
• To assist the Senior Specialist APTs plan work schedules and staff allocation to tasks.
• To give both basic and specialist lectures to groups who attend the Mortuary and Bereavement Service and throughout the hospital.

Please review job description document full responsibilities.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• 5 O-Level or GCSE qualifications, A*-C (in particular biology)
• Certificate & Diploma of Anatomical Pathology Technology or Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology with relevant, demonstrable experience
• Participation in continuing professional development

Desirable

• Member of the AAPT
• Amspar (medical terminology) qualification

Previous experience

Essential

• Experience working as an APT including working with: High-Risk cases, training junior staff, lecturing to groups, working with the bereaved
• Supervision, training and teaching healthcare professionals

Desirable

• Team leading experience
• Experience working in a hospital environment
• Experience of paediatric/perinatal post mortems

Skills/Knowledge/Ability

Essential

• Thorough practical knowledge of current Mortuary practices and legislation
• Good working knowledge of the Human Tissue Act (2004)
• Computer literate and general familiarity with common office software.
• High degree of numeracy
• Good communication skills, both written and spoken English
• Good interpersonal and team working skills
• Good organisation, planning and accuracy skills
• Ability to adopt a sympathetic approach to patients & relatives
• Ability to adapt efficiently to changing work patterns and situations
• Ability to concentrate in a busy and noisy environment

Person Specification
Education/Qualifications

Essential

• 5 O-Level or GCSE qualifications, A*-C (in particular biology)
• Certificate & Diploma of Anatomical Pathology Technology or Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology with relevant, demonstrable experience
• Participation in continuing professional development

Desirable

• Member of the AAPT
• Amspar (medical terminology) qualification

Previous experience

Essential

• Experience working as an APT including working with: High-Risk cases, training junior staff, lecturing to groups, working with the bereaved
• Supervision, training and teaching healthcare professionals

Desirable

• Team leading experience
• Experience working in a hospital environment
• Experience of paediatric/perinatal post mortems

Skills/Knowledge/Ability

Essential

• Thorough practical knowledge of current Mortuary practices and legislation
• Good working knowledge of the Human Tissue Act (2004)
• Computer literate and general familiarity with common office software.
• High degree of numeracy
• Good communication skills, both written and spoken English
• Good interpersonal and team working skills
• Good organisation, planning and accuracy skills
• Ability to adopt a sympathetic approach to patients & relatives
• Ability to adapt efficiently to changing work patterns and situations
• Ability to concentrate in a busy and noisy environment

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.
Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. .

Additional information
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. .

Employer details

Employer name

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Address

St Thomas' Hospital

London

SE1 7EH

Employer's website