Anatomical Pathology Technician (APT)

Whittington Mortuary Services include a busy hospital mortuary and a public mortuary for the London Borough of Islington. The mortuary is fully licensed by the Human Tissue Authority. An autopsy service of the highest standard is provided both for the hospital and H.M Coroner, Inner North London District.

The mortuary also offers a CT scan autopsy service to the police and wider community.

An opportunity has arisen for a qualified Anatomical Pathology Technician to join our team. The individual must hold the Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or equivalent. They must be motivated, enthusiastic and flexible and able to work in a challenging and sensitive environment with a calm and professional attitude. Frequent exposure to emotional and distressing situations is required to carry out this role.

The candidate will support the hospital Medical Examiner (ME) system, involving the administration of documentation pertaining to patients that die within the hospital and local community.

The candidate will carry out the technical work of the department, including the management of the autopsy suite and body handling area as required by the mortuary manager and senior APT. They will assist the mortuary management team in the monitoring and control of work and supervision and training of junior staff.

The candidate will be required to assist with the arrangement of 'Public Health' funerals' on behalf of the borough of Islington.

Main duties of the job

Carry out the technical work of the department with particular reference to the management of the autopsy suite and body handling area as required by the mortuary manager, working with the management team in the monitoring and control of work and supervision/training of junior staff.

Deputise for the mortuary manager & Senior APT during periods of leave.

Complete audits as required & attend regular meetings.

Contribute to the promotion and adherence to Health and Safety within the department by carrying out relevant training and attending appropriate courses suitable for the role.

Liaise with pathologists, hospital personnel, H.M. Coroner, funeral directors, police, members of the public etc.

Maintain a sensitive and caring attitude towards bereaved family and friends

Close liaison with a variety of professions including Coroner's officers, police, doctors, nursing staff and funeral directors is an essential function, as is communication with bereaved family and friends.

Strictly adhere to departmental operating procedures, health and safety guidelines and other relevant policies andensure Health and Safety standards are followed and maintained.

There is a requirement to participate in the 'Out of Hours' on call system.

The Whittington mortuary is open 8am - 4pm Monday to Friday but these times will be flexible dependent on the autopsy schedule which often begins before 6am.

Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.