Job requirements
Essential
40 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Other
Ability to work well under pressure with attention to detail.
- Other
Good understanding of departmental health and safety requirements.
- Other
Awareness of data-protection and confidentiality requirements.
- Other
Understanding of risk management.
- Other
Experience of implementing changes in policy or practice.
- Other
Ability to maintain accurate data-entry and retrieval systems in line with current legislation.
- Other
Willingness to act as a Person Designate under the Human Tissue Act.
- Experience
Experience of working within and leading a mortuary team.
- Experience
Experience of teaching and training staff to Diploma level and beyond, academically and practically.
- Experience
Experience of Major Incident Plan implementation.
- Experience
Experience of contingency planning and implementation.
- Experience
Experience of capacity management.
- Experience
Experience of transplant tissue recovery.
- Experience
Experience of forensic post mortems.
- Experience
Experience of working in and for an ethnically diverse community and responding to differing cultural and religious requirements relating to deceased patients.
- Experience
Experience of performing audit and interpreting findings.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Keenness to undertake further study in Anatomical Pathology Technology.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Excellent time-management and organisational skills.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
High level of computer literacy, including Access databases and patient-management systems.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to exercise initiative and judgement.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
High level of personal integrity and respect for patient property.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to train and support staff, including specialist registrars, in departmental techniques, practices and operating procedures.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to produce clear procedural documentation.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Understanding of clinical governance.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to treat deceased patients and their representatives with dignity and respect.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Tact and diplomacy in sensitive and emotive situations.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to manage aggressive or abusive representatives calmly and professionally.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to respect ethnic diversity and differing cultural and religious requirements and behave sensitively.
- Education, Training and Qualifications
Royal Society of Public Health Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology (equivalent level 4).
- Education, Training and Qualifications
Royal Society of Public Health Certificate in Anatomical Pathology Technology.
- Education, Training and Qualifications
Knowledge and experience at post-Diploma level, equivalent to degree level or higher.
- Education, Training and Qualifications
Knowledge of current national guidelines for mortuary practice.
- Education, Training and Qualifications
Extensive knowledge of the law relating to deceased patients, relevant legal authorities and legal documentation.
- Education, Training and Qualifications
Extensive knowledge of the Human Tissue Act and Codes of Practice.
- Education, Training and Qualifications
Knowledge of mortuary service administration.
- Education, Training and Qualifications
Knowledge of supervisory and management policies and procedures.
- Education, Training and Qualifications
Evidence of training in retrieval of tissues for transplant, for example an eye-retrieval course.
- Education, Training and Qualifications
Extensive knowledge of cultural and religious practices relating to deceased patients and how to accommodate these while meeting legal requirements.
Desirable
2 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent.
- Education, Training and Qualifications
Member of the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology
Job overview
This varied Band 6 role combines advanced and specialist post-mortem practice with leadership, staff development and the day-to-day management of the mortuary service.
You will work closely with pathologists, HM Coroner, police, funeral directors, healthcare professionals and bereaved families, while helping to maintain the highest standards of dignity, safety, quality and legal compliance.
Main duties of the job
As Lead Anatomical Pathology Technologist and Deputy Mortuary Manager, you will provide specialist technical support for routine, complex and forensic post-mortem examinations, including high-risk cases.
You will undertake advanced anatomical pathology procedures, tissue retrieval for transplantation, reconstruction and preparation of deceased patients, ensuring the highest standards of dignity, safety and legal compliance.
The role includes responsibility for the admission, identification, storage and release of deceased patients, management of mortuary records and samples, and supporting compliance with Human Tissue Authority, Coroner and Health & Safety requirements.
You will also provide expert advice and training to healthcare professionals and mortuary staff, while supporting the delivery of a high-quality mortuary and post-mortem service.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
As Lead Anatomical Pathology Technologist and Deputy Mortuary Manager, you will play a key role in the delivery of specialist mortuary and post-mortem services.
You will perform advanced anatomical pathology procedures, support forensic and high-risk post-mortem examinations, undertake tissue retrieval activities and provide expert technical advice to pathologists and partner agencies.
Working within a highly regulated environment, you will ensure compliance with Human Tissue Authority standards, Coroner requirements and relevant legislation.
You will also support the operational management of the mortuary, lead on staff training and competency development, contribute to quality improvement and deputise for the Mortuary Manager when required.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Lead Anatomical Pathology Technician & Deputy Mortuary Manager with Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust in Reading, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Health science services role. The advertised salary is £39959.00 to £48117.00. The contract type is 10 months (Fixed Term/Secondment to cover maternity leave). The application deadline is 21 Oct 2026.
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