Trainee/Qualified Anatomical Pathology Technologist

at  Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Qualified Anatomical Pathology Technologist (APT) Band 5 or Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technologist Band 5 Annex 21 - 70% of top of pay scale rising to 75% until qualified.
The mortuary service at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is looking for either a qualified anatomical pathology technologist or a trainee who is a degree graduate with a biological or forensic degree and wishes to start a career in anatomical pathology.
To qualify as an anatomical pathology technologist you will need to complete the RSPH level 3 diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology. We encourage staff to continue their training with the level 4 diploma to become specialist anatomical pathology technologists. Both qualifications are supported by the Trust.
Candidates need a flexible approach to work with a positive attitude and ability to cope with the varied and demanding work supporting end of life care.
Successful candidates will participate in cross site working and when trained, participate in an on call out of hours service.
To work as part of a team to assist in the provision of mortuary services -
assist in the preparation of the bodies for post-mortem
assist pathologists during post-mortem examination
prepare deceased for viewings
perform receipt and release of deceased
liaise with internal and external colleagues associated with end of life care e.g. porters, clinical staff, pathologists, funeral directors, bereavement team
participate in on call out of hours
To undertake training to for the Level 4 Diploma in Healthcare Science (Anatomical Pathology Technology) if qualified, and Level 3 Diploma if trainee APT.
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. Find out more here www.ouh.nhs.uk
The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.
Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel
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Clinical Practice
Receive and record the receipt of cadavers from wards and other sources
Undress cadavers as required and place in refrigerator, using mechanical hoist when possible.
Safeguard any property and valuables accompanying the cadaver in line with Trust and Coroner’s procedures.
Assist in the preparation of cadavers for post mortem examination, assisting the pathologist as required during the examination, at all times having due regard for the dignity of the deceased and any constraints imposed by the relatives’ consent to post mortem
Assist in the removal of tissues or organs for use in diagnosis, medical education or research, or for medico-legal investigations, preserving samples in formaldehyde if required.
Remove cardiac implants
Assist in more complex anatomical dissections e.g. removal of spinal cord
Participate in high risk an forensic post-mortem examinations.
Replace organs and restore the external structure of the cadaver by suturing.
Liaise with undertakers and record the release and removal of cadavers (and property) from hospital premises, ensuring compliance with all necessary paperwork (local release consent forms; Coroner’s Burial Certificate, Certificate E, Interim Death Certificate, or ‘Out of England’ Certificate; Registrar’s Form 9; Cremation Certificates B and C; ‘Free from Infection’ Certificate)
Participate in the preparation of disinfectants in accordance and perform routine decontamination and cleaning of the post mortem rooms, refrigerators, and their environs.
Help to monitor the adequacy of resources and equipment, reporting any deficiencies to the designated Senior Mortuary Technician.
Despatch biological samples to testing laboratories ensuring that sample packaging is compliant with specimen transport guidelines
Management and organisational role
Practice in accordance with the professional, ethical and legal codes for HTA and the Trust’s protocols and guidelines. Is accountable for own practice.
Develop own skills, taking responsibility for Continuing Professional Development and performance
Communicate with other members of the team, demonstrating good work relations with all members of staff to promote effective team working.
Communicate effectively with other staff groups, both internal and external. To include healthcare professionals, external agencies e.g. designated officers of HM coroner and visiting police personnel, commercial suppliers, service engineers and visitors to the mortuary.
When required liaise with hospital officers and porter staff to facilitate viewing of cadavers by relatives and others, ensuring that the Viewing Rooms provide a sensitive and dignified setting
for the purpose
When required by the mortuary manager liaise with nursing staff in the Women’s Centre and other hospitals to facilitate receipt and return of foetuses and babies sent for post-mortem
examination, facilitating viewings by relatives and others
Liaise with designated officers of HM Coroner and visiting police personnel
Provide training support and assistance to newly appointed APTs, Trainee APTs and bereavement staff. Role includes the demonstration of procedures to less experienced staff.
Monitor and maintain the adequacy of resources and equipment.
Prepare weekly / monthly order lists as requested
Be aware of Clinical Governance, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and local Health and Safety polices, reporting problems, errors or breaches to the immediate supervisor completing incident reports as required.
Assist with work required to maintain UKAS accreditation and the HTA licence, e.g. audit and SOP review
Demonstrate continuing ability to work individually and unsupervised to a level required in the provision of the out of hours service for lone working on “shift” or on call.
Attend departmental and Trust-wide staff meetings as appropriate. •
Demonstrate an awareness of, and compliance with, health and safety regulations, the Data Protection Act and Standard Operating Procedures.
Treat everyone associated with the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with courtesy and respect, maintaining good work relations with all members of Cellular Pathology staff and to promote effective team working taking action when own or other’s behaviour undermines equality and diversity.
Information Technology Role
Display and maintain an appropriate level of IT skills, in order to input patient and post mortem data, maintain and amend patient records and interrogate the post mortem databases.
Perform a range of administrative tasks in the mortuary as required. This includes retrieval and disposal of specimens and data, maintenance of associated records and the collection of data for audits.
Teaching, Training and Research Responsibilities
Participate in the supervision and training of anatomical pathology technologists
Professional development and Education
Undertake suitable study to gain the Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology
Attend mandatory training sessions required by the Trust.
Attend any areas of further development as suggested in their Personal Development Plan (PDP)
Attend regular appraisal, maintain competence levels within the Department and ensure own personal and professional developmen

Please refer the Job description for details