Anatomical Pathology Technician

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Mortuary Services team as an Anatomical Pathology Technician. You will receive structured training and hands-on experience in post-mortem care, mortuary operations, and related administrative duties. This role is ideal for individuals looking to develop a career in anatomical pathology within a supportive and professional environment.

Main duties of the job

To participate in the preparation and reconstruction of deceased patients.

Learn and adhere to health and safety, infection control, and legal requirements.

Support the respectful handling, storage, and release of deceased patients.

Participate in training sessions and complete required competency assessments.

Maintain accurate records and assist with administrative tasks.

Compassionate and respectful approach to care.

Ability to follow procedures and maintain confidentiality.

Good communication and teamwork skills.

Willingness to learn and adapt in a sensitive environment.

Exposure to mortuary operations, post-mortem procedures, and bereavement services.

Career progression within Mortuary Services upon successful completion of training.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Summary

To participate in the activities of the mortuary. Primarily providing a technical service,

to the Trust and other users of the service assisting Histopathologists and Forensic

Pathologists during the post-mortem examination. At all times the dignity of the

deceased must be maintained

• Services – All technical aspects of maintaining and developing a mortuary

service.

• People – health and safety, discipline, appraisal
• Resources – equipment evaluation, consumable evaluation
• Information – departmental procedures, computer skills, departmental meetings
• Training – Training and development of technical staff, continuing professional

Development.

Key Responsibilities

• To undertake a share of the autopsy-related and day-to-day mortuary service

activity.

• To assist with any post-mortem deemed to be “high-risk”.
• To participate in the out-of-hours “on-call” rota.
• To participate in the organisation and supervision of workshops held within the

mortuary.

• To ensure that the dignity of the deceased is maintained.
• Adhere to the organisation’s health and safety policies.
• Assist in producing risk assessments.
• Participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee
• To participate in assessing the needs for additional resources.
• To participate in assessing new equipment.
• To ensure that adequate levels of stocks and equipment are maintained.
• To ensure equipment is maintained in a reasonable condition.
• Ensure adherence to and participate in reviewing operational procedures.
• Participate in departmental meetings.
• To use the departmental computer system as required.
• Regular liaison with hospital staff, funeral directors, Coroner’s office and other

personnel to maintain and improve the service.

• Daily liaison with pathologists with regard to hospital and Coroner’s post-mortem

examinations.

• Ensure patient confidentiality is maintained at all times.
• To assist junior medical staff in becoming acquainted with local procedures.
• To supervise and train other trainee APT’s
• To participate in the development and implementation of training programmes.
• To participate in continuing professional development.

Clinical Governance / Quality

Primarily providing a technical service, to the Trust and other users of the service

assisting Histopathologists and Forensic Pathologists during the post-mortem

examination.

Education and Training development

Structed training and development needs to support the L3 and L4 Diploma in RSPH

To participate in the organisation and supervision of workshops held within the

mortuary.

Equality and Diversity

It is the responsibility of every member of staff to understand our equality and

diversity commitments and statutory obligations under current equality legislation (the

Equality Act 2010) and to:

Act in ways that support equality and diversity and recognises the importance of

people’s rights in accordance with legislation, policies, procedures and good practice;

Valuing people as individuals and treating everyone with dignity and respect,

consideration and without prejudice, respecting diversity and recognising peoples

expressed beliefs, preferences and choices in working with others and delivering

appropriate services;

• Recognise and report behaviour that undermines equality under Trust policy.
• Be consciously aware of own behaviour and encourage the same levels of

behaviour in colleagues.

• Acknowledge others’ different perspectives and recognise the diverse needs

and experiences of everyone they come into contact with.

March 2024

• With the support of managers develop an equality and diversity objective

through the personal development review process.

Values and Behaviours

We are Caring

We are kind to each other and always show compassion to ourselves and others.

We know we are doing this when:

• We are always kind and compassionate to ourselves, our patients, families

and colleagues.

• We recognise and appreciate each other, taking pride in working here and
• ur contribution to success.
• We are professional and always seek to deliver the best standards of care.

We are Fair

We treat people equitably and value their differences.

We know we are doing this when:

• We value everyone for their unique contribution and we embrace diversity;
• We are confident in speaking up and we support all our colleagues to do the

same;

• We are open and honest.

We Are Innovative

We work as a team to continuously improve the way we deliver and transform health care.

We know we are doing this when:

• We continuously improve the services we deliver and pioneer new ways of

doing things;

• We learn from mistakes, striving to ensure we get things right first time;
• We create and share knowledge with each other, patients and our

professional communities.

Infection Prevention & Control

All staff will adhere to infection control policies and procedures at all times and carry

• ut role specific duties as per roles and responsibilities.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality/Data Protection regarding all personal information and Trust activity

must be maintained at all times (both in and out of working hours). All staff should

ensure that they are familiar with and adhere to all Trust privacy, confidentiality and

security policies and procedures. Any breach of confidentiality will be taken seriously

and appropriate disciplinary action taken