An opportunity has arisen at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals for a qualified Anatomical Pathology Technologist (APT). Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals manage the mortuary services at Whiston, Southport, and Ormskirk Hospitals, which comprise three sites. The mortuary services conduct more than 750 postmortem examinations annually at the direction of HM Coroner.
The department is completely accredited by the Health and Safety Authority (HTA). It is mandatory to participate in an on-call roster; overtime compensation will be given accordingly.
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Details of Anatomical Pathology Technician Jobs in UK
- Job Type: Full Time
- Company: Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Salary; 28,407 – 34,581 £ / Year
- Location: Merseyside, United Kingdom
Duties of Anatomical Pathology Technician Jobs in UK
A Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology and demonstrable experience in a mortuary context will be required for the successful candidate. They will be able to exhibit a comprehensive comprehension of health and safety legislation, as well as the ability to work in accordance with HTA guidelines and a strong technical understanding of mortuary policy, procedure, and human anatomy. The department has a strong track record of developing its staff to realize their full potential, and continuous professional development is actively encouraged among all members of the team.
The position will entail the execution of a variety of responsibilities, such as the receipt and proper storage of the deceased, the preparation for post-mortem examination, and the release of the deceased in accordance with departmental policy, best practices, and the Human Tissue Act. Additionally, the individual will provide support to the coroner, pathologists, and police.
Benefits of Anatomical Pathology Technician Jobs
- Job Security and Demand: Anatomical Pathology Technologists are indispensable in the medical field, as they facilitate the diagnosis and comprehension of diseases. Job security is guaranteed by the consistent demand for competent APTs.
- Benefits and Competitive Salary: APTs are typically provided with comprehensive benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave, in addition to competitive salaries.
- Professional Development: There are numerous opportunities for professional growth and advancement. APTs have the option to pursue additional education, specialize in specific areas of pathology, or transition into supervisory or managerial positions.
- Skill Development: The position necessitates the acquisition of a variety of specialized skills, such as the handling and preparation of human tissues, microscopy, and histological techniques. In the medical sphere, these technical skills are highly regarded.
- Contribution to Healthcare: APTs are essential for the diagnosis of diseases, which significantly impacts patient care and treatment outcomes. Their work assists pathologists and other healthcare professionals in making well-informed decisions.
- Diverse Work Environment: APTs are employed in a diverse array of environments, such as academic institutions, research laboratories, and hospitals. This diversity enables them to select environments that align with their interests and abilities.
- Job Satisfaction: Numerous APTs derive satisfaction from their occupations due to their direct involvement in patient care, diagnostics, and medical research. A profound sense of fulfillment and purpose is derived from the capacity to positively influence patient outcomes.
- Professional Collaboration: A collaborative work environment is fostered by the close collaboration with pathologists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals, which provides opportunities for professional networking and learning.
- Access to Advanced Technology: APTs employ state-of-the-art apparatus and technology in their operations. Maintaining a position at the vanguard of technological advancements can be both intellectually stimulating and rewarding.
- Educational Opportunities: Numerous institutions provide continuous education and training for APTs, such as workshops, seminars, and conferences. Professionals are able to remain informed about the most recent advancements in pathology as a result of this ongoing learning.
About us
The partnership between St Helens & Knowsley and Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals has been approved by the Secretary of State. Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust was established as a unified entity on July 1st.
With a combined workforce of approximately 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations, including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk, and Newton hospitals, the Trust provides acute hospital care, intermediate care, community care, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 individuals.
The Trust offers regional services for burns, plastic surgery, and spinal injuries to over 4 million individuals in Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man, and North Wales.
Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:
- Consciousness that is compassionate, high-quality, and evidence-based safety that is of the utmost standard
- Communication that is open, inclusive, and respectful SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient-centered, and reliable PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual requirements of patients
Our achievements include:
- August 2018 CQC Inspection: Trust Rated Outstanding
- Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing and AHP Preceptorship Programme Top 100 Places to Work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
Responsibilities of Anatomical Pathology Technician Jobs in UK
- Guarantee that all responsibilities are executed in accordance with the codes of practice established by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA).
- Execute procedures for the reception, storage, and release of the deceased, and complete the corresponding documentation in accordance with current policies.
- Ascertain that all deceased individuals who have not been identified are identified appropriately after their identities have been determined.
- Consult with the Trust Bereavement Officers to provide support in the service’s operations regarding bereaved families.
- Provide assistance to the coroner officers and execute their directives regarding all deceased individuals within their jurisdiction.
- To provide support for hospital post-mortems as directed by the consultant histopathologists or other medical personnel.
- To provide support for post-mortems conducted at the request of H. M. Coroner in accordance with the agreements established with Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospital.
- To conduct pertinent post-mortem procedures on patients who are in an advanced state of mechanical disruption, decomposition, or infestation, under the guidance of the consultant pathologist.
- To ensure that the decedent is prepared for viewing in a sensitive and respectful manner while also demonstrating an understanding of religious requirements, subject to an individual risk assessment.
- Perform surgical evisceration and patient reconstruction in the post-mortem suite in accordance with mortuary policies to facilitate identification for the police, viewings for relatives, and dignified retrieval from funeral directors.
- Ensure the effective reconstruction and cosmetic presentation of bodies following extreme trauma, such as road traffic accidents, suicides, and individuals struck by trains.
- At the request of the consultant histopathologist or other medical personnel, perform invisceration of organs and suturing of carcasses during post-mortems at the hospital and coroner’s office.
- Guarantee that the coroner’s consent information is adhered to when obtaining all tissues for histological diagnosis during the postmortem.
- When the hospital requires it, remove cardiac implants and sanitize them before disposing of them.
- Liaise with the tissue bank teams and provide support for the procurement of tissues in accordance with the current trust agreements, protocols, and consent.
- In accordance with the policies of the department and the trust, collaborate with the bereavement office and funeral directors to ensure the sensitive disposal of fetal remains.
- To support the system for the reception, handling, and disposal of products of conception from the gynecology and midwifery services at ODGH
- Guarantee that the department consistently upholds high standards of sanitation and tidiness in accordance with departmental SOPs and HSE guidelines.
- To ensure that equipment is maintained in accordance with the guidelines of the manufacturer and in accordance with policies and procedures on a daily basis
- Inform the mortuary manager or, in the event of their absence, the cellular pathology manager of any equipment faults or incidents.
- Ensure that there are sufficient supplies of consumables, linens, stores, and instruments.
- To guarantee that visitors and employees have access to appropriate personal protective equipment and apparel.
- Stay informed about pertinent scientific information, trends, and advancements to aid in the maintenance and advancement of mortuary procedures.
- Maintain a professional development plan that is current and an ongoing professional portfolio.
OUT OF HOURS
Participate in the department’s out-of-hours service by performing the following tasks:
- Postmortems of the Home Office
- Tissue extraction for transplantation
- Examination of structures that are at a high risk of infection.
- In preparation for viewing, the restoration of bodies that have been severely traumatized
- The release of bodies on religious grounds and in exceptional circumstances
- Monitor and coordinate the transfer of bodies to outlying storage facilities and external mortuaries as required, ensuring that all requisite documentation is completed.
- Assist in the identification of the BIDs with the police, ensuring that all necessary documentation is completed.
- Any additional responsibilities that may be mandated by the Trust, Home Office, or H. M. Coroner.
- The mortuary service will be delivered by the postholder outside of core hours. This involves contracted rotational participation in the department’s on-call roster.
CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Ensure that the technical work is consistently of the highest quality and complies with the Health and Safety, UKAS, and Clinical Pathology Accreditation standards and regulations.
- Stay informed about pertinent scientific information, trends, and advancements to aid in the maintenance and advancement of mortuary procedures.
- Maintain a professional development plan that is current and an ongoing professional portfolio.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSABILITIES
- To guarantee that records are securely retained and kept current in accordance with the standards of Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK), UKAS, and HTA.
- In order to adhere to the standards of Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK), UKAS, HTA, and Health & Safety guidelines, it is necessary to adhere to proper mortuary practice.
- Assist in the compilation of financial statistics regarding the total number of bodies within the department, with a particular emphasis on each coroner.
- Participate in the departmental annual appraisal by maintaining records and revising job responsibilities as needed.
- Provide support for the department’s audit and, as required, compile mortuary database statistics.
- Assist in the maintenance of all apparatus and instruments, documenting the details of maintenance visits in the maintenance logs.
- Guarantee that consumables and instruments are consistently stored and available in sufficient quantities.
- Substitute for the Mortuary Lead in their absence.
TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in the training of any current trainee APTs in accordance with departmental policies and SOPs.
- Assist trainee APTs in the completion of the Royal Institutes Anatomical Pathology Logbook.
- Assist APTs in pursuing additional training within the department for the Diploma in Anatomical Pathology.
- In accordance with the departmental manager’s requirements, participate in educational and training courses.
LABORATORY INFORMATICS
- In order to adhere to the local and national policies regarding the safe, secure, and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information
- To ensure the laboratory databases’ integrity and accuracy, it is necessary to verify and rectify the information entered by staff.
- Please adhere to the trust’s policies, guidelines, and procedures when employing the IT system that spans the entire organization.
- To aid in the audit of the laboratory’s information technology system.
COMMUNICATION
- Demonstrating comprehension of individual requirements, such as religious rites, while effectively communicating with the public, police officers, coroner’s office, funeral directors, and trust personnel
- To guarantee that relatives are provided with assistance during the viewing process, advice is provided upon request, and they are consistently treated with respect and decorum.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
- Adhere to the Trust Health and Safety Policy and the Laboratory Health and Safety Policy at all times.
- The position will necessitate frequent exposure to disagreeable body fluids and tissues that are potentially infected with pathogenic microorganisms or viruses, such as blood-borne viral infections (e.g., hepatitis, HIV, nvCJD, and TB).
- The COSHH regulations will address and enforce exposure to harmful compounds, such as carcinogens.
- Engage in safety audits, both internal and external.
- Participate in mandatory and statutory fire, hoisting and handling, and health and safety training.
- It is the responsibility of all personnel to promptly report any hazards, clinical and non-clinical incidents, and to cooperate with any investigations that are conducted.
Qualifications
Essential
Certificate in Anatomical Pathology (RPIHH) or equivalent experience
Desirable
- I received training in anatomical pathology at the diploma level (RIPHH).
- Bereavement training and completion of the NHSBT Eye Retrieval Manual
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience with anatomical techniques
- Experience in forensic procedures and infection control
- Experience with autopsy reconstruction methodologies
- Understanding of health and safety regulations, including COSHH regulations and assessments
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrates the capacity to prioritize their workload and work under duress, as evidenced by their demonstrated ability to multitask.
- Demonstrating effective communication and interpersonal abilities
- Evidence of effective time management
Other
Essential
Evidence of the capacity to collaborate with others
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This position is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) of 1975. Consequently, it will be necessary to submit a disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as the CRB) to verify any prior criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
All other applications will be considered, including those from job seekers who require current skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK. For additional information, please consult the UK Visas and Immigration website (opens in a new tab).
Since April 6, 2017, skilled worker applicants who are seeking entry clearance into the United Kingdom have been required to submit a criminal record certificate from each country in which they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past decade. This requirement also applies to adult dependents who are over the age of 18. Guidance is available at this location. Checks of criminal records for applicants from abroad (opens in a new tab).
Frequently Asked Questions:
How can I become an anatomical pathology technician in the UK?
You’ll need to complete a 2-year traineeship. Pathology, training, and education combine learning on the job and in the classroom. Initially, you will observe a pathologist in a mortuary to understand their methods. Then you’ll do some of the work yourself, with the help of senior staff and pathologists.
What is anatomical pathology’s specialty?
Anatomical pathology (Commonwealth) or anatomic pathology (U.S.) is a medical specialty concerned with disease diagnosis based on the macroscopic, microscopic, biochemical, immunologic, and molecular examination of organs and tissues.
How much do anatomical pathology technologists make in the UK?
Once qualified, you can earn between £25,147 and £27,596 (Band 4).
