Job Description

We are seeking to appoint a fully qualified mortuary anatomical pathology technician to join our Cellular Pathology team. The successful candidate will work closely with anatomical pathology technicians, mortuary assitants and Pathologists during the making of a post mortem and will spend time in all areas of the mortuary. Following training, you will work from Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital North Durham as needed. Part of the training will be provided from neighbouring NHS Trusts. You will also take part in the on call rota. The ability to travel across sites is essential. Please refer to the and Personal Specification for full details.
The ideal candidate will be a team player that possesses excellent communication skills, organisation and manual dexterity skills and have a keen eye for detail. Manual handling is a core part of the role. You will also have the ability to concentrate for long periods of time and have a keen interest in pathology. You should be able to demonstrate good keyboard skills and be computer literate. A trainee post could also be offered to a candidate with current experience of working in an NHS mortuary.
Main duties of the job
Main tasks include:
Post mortem work, including forensic. This may be in a neighbouring NHS Trust.
Receipt and registration of deceased patients.
Release of deceased patients to funeral directors.
Entering patient details onto the laboratory computer system and inputting the correct tests, maintaining all required logs.
Answering reception and telephone queries and liaising with other Trust staff and the general public.
Preparing bodies for the purpose of relative viewings and police identification.
Organising referral work, packaging and sending of samples to other Trust sites and to other Trusts nationwide.
Stock control including receiving and receipting deliveries, documenting and organising batches of reagents and performing verification tasks.
Cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas.
Demonstrating duties to other staff.
Error logging and trouble shooting.
Please refer to the and Personal Specification for full details.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
Full s can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Details
Date posted
24 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
31,049 to 37,796 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
C9439-2526-0823
Job locations
University Hospital Of North Durham
North Road
Durham
DH1 5TW
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and personal specification for full details.
This APT role involves working closely with Pathologists, Anatomical Pathology Technicians and Medical Laboratory Assistants. You will follow the laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and complete the relevant quality documentation as required.
Upon completion of training and gaining competency, you will rotate throughout the specialist areas of the mortuary. Performing duties in accordance to local policy to a high degree of standards whilst conforming to health and safety requirements. This includes working in the post mortem room, body store, and viewing room of the mortuary. Using a variety of specialist laboratory equipment to perform tasks and are responsible for the maintenance of equipment and completing maintenance documentation. This includes temperature and formalin monitoring.
The role requires handling of body fluids and human tissue samples which can be of a sensitive nature. Work within the mortuary can often be upsetting. Manual handling is required daily.
Stock is managed by all staff. This includes monitoring stock levels of consumables, signing for deliveries, receipting goods delivered, unpacking, verifying if appropriate and ensuring paperwork is complete before placing in appropriate storage area in an orderly organised manner.
Provide supervision, training and leadership to junior staff.
In order to perform daily tasks effectively, the APT role requires the ability to focus for long periods of time, have great attention to detail and possess the ability to organise tasks in priority order. Requires computer literacy skills as they are expected to use spreadsheets, access LIMS, write SOPs and perform audits as needed. Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and personal specification for full details.
This APT role involves working closely with Pathologists, Anatomical Pathology Technicians and Medical Laboratory Assistants. You will follow the laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and complete the relevant quality documentation as required.
Upon completion of training and gaining competency, you will rotate throughout the specialist areas of the mortuary. Performing duties in accordance to local policy to a high degree of standards whilst conforming to health and safety requirements. This includes working in the post mortem room, body store, and viewing room of the mortuary. Using a variety of specialist laboratory equipment to perform tasks and are responsible for the maintenance of equipment and completing maintenance documentation. This includes temperature and formalin monitoring.
The role requires handling of body fluids and human tissue samples which can be of a sensitive nature. Work within the mortuary can often be upsetting. Manual handling is required daily.
Stock is managed by all staff. This includes monitoring stock levels of consumables, signing for deliveries, receipting goods delivered, unpacking, verifying if appropriate and ensuring paperwork is complete before placing in appropriate storage area in an orderly organised manner.
Provide supervision, training and leadership to junior staff.
In order to perform daily tasks effectively, the APT role requires the ability to focus for long periods of time, have great attention to detail and possess the ability to organise tasks in priority order. Requires computer literacy skills as they are expected to use spreadsheets, access LIMS, write SOPs and perform audits as needed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology from the Royal Institute of Public Health (RIPH)
• Additional training acquired to fulfil the role

Desirable

• Bereavement counselling skills
• Conflict management
• Eye /Corneal Retrieval Training
• First aid certificate
• Evidence of Continual Professional development

Experience
Essential

• Experience in a similar or larger establishment as an APT or mortuary attendant
• Experience of dealing with bereaved relatives

Desirable

• Interaction of hospital services with external users i.e. funeral directors

Statutory Registration
Desirable

• Membership of the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology

Special Requirments
Essential

• Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
• Participate in 24/7 on-call rota.
• Hold a valid Drivers License
• Physically fit able to lift, carry and manoeuvre

Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of Post Mortem dissection techniques including advanced reconstruction and infection control measures.
• Able to prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Manual dexterity
• Automation in Mortuary settings
• Interpersonal
• Keyboard and mouse
• Numeracy-Statistical & mathematics Interpretation
• Basic quality Control & assurance awareness
• Medical / Scientific terminology
• Able to deal with emotionally distressing situations, in a sympathetic and professional manner
• Able to respond appropriately in emergency situations.

Desirable

• Basic IT, e.g. Word, Excel etc.
• Aware of Health care system
• Understanding of Health & safety
• Experience of Training & Staff development.
• Experience of Forensic external examination and home office Post mortems.
• Knowledge of HTA guidance and legislation

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology from the Royal Institute of Public Health (RIPH)
• Additional training acquired to fulfil the role

Desirable

• Bereavement counselling skills
• Conflict management
• Eye /Corneal Retrieval Training
• First aid certificate
• Evidence of Continual Professional development

Experience
Essential

• Experience in a similar or larger establishment as an APT or mortuary attendant
• Experience of dealing with bereaved relatives

Desirable

• Interaction of hospital services with external users i.e. funeral directors

Statutory Registration
Desirable

• Membership of the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology

Special Requirments
Essential

• Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
• Participate in 24/7 on-call rota.
• Hold a valid Drivers License
• Physically fit able to lift, carry and manoeuvre

Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of Post Mortem dissection techniques including advanced reconstruction and infection control measures.
• Able to prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Manual dexterity
• Automation in Mortuary settings
• Interpersonal
• Keyboard and mouse
• Numeracy-Statistical & mathematics Interpretation
• Basic quality Control & assurance awareness
• Medical / Scientific terminology
• Able to deal with emotionally distressing situations, in a sympathetic and professional manner
• Able to respond appropriately in emergency situations.

Desirable

• Basic IT, e.g. Word, Excel etc.
• Aware of Health care system
• Understanding of Health & safety
• Experience of Training & Staff development.
• Experience of Forensic external examination and home office Post mortems.
• Knowledge of HTA guidance and legislation

Skills Required