Healthcare Scientist Specialist Anatomical Pathology (XR06)

Job summary

Main duties of the job

As a Healthcare Scientist Specialist (Anatomical Pathology Technician) you will be the lead specialist in the mortuary and as such will lead a group of anatomical technicians and support staff. You will plan and prioritise the day to day work load of the mortuaries. You will also be required to work alone and independently, for example when working on-call or when performing highly specialized tasks. You will be a highly competent member of the department having the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to perform a wide range of specialist techniques that contribute towards the provision of the mortuary service to the Trust and to HM Coroner. There is a frequent requirement for concentration when planning for an unpredictable workload, and when performing specialist techniques e.g. an Infection risk autopsy. You will be responsible for contributing to, and implementing policies and procedures:

relevant to the mortuary service which operates on three sites

relevant to service changes which impact externally i.e. portering services and funeral directors

You will be expected to apply professional judgements and specialist skills to complex and sometimes emotive situations. E.g. assessing infection risk. You will be required to communicate complex and / or sensitive information to colleagues, clinicians, undertakers, HM Coroner, and HM Coroners Officers. You will demonstrate empathetic skills when communicating with bereaved relatives.

Job responsibilities

The department provides Histopathology, Andrology, Immunohistochemistry, Muscle, Molecular, Non Gynae Cytology and mortuary services for Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and surrounding primary care centres.

We are a well equipped and innovative department being the first laboratory in the UK digitally scanning 100% of surgical slides, also introducing the UK's first automated tissue sectioners. We process circa 58,000 surgical cases, 2,000 autopsy cases and 6000 non-gynaecological cytology cases per annum.

We are a continually improving department, striving for high quality staff and processes. As a training hospital we serve to expand the knowledge and skills of all staff. There are plenty of opportunities to become involved, and further development is encouraged. We have UKAS accreditation to ISO15189 standards. We endeavour to follow 'The Leeds Way' at all times putting the patient first at all times.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.