Job summary
- Main area
- Mortuary - Anatomical Pathology Technician
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 5
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (core working days are currently Monday to Friday, you will be required to work flexibly around the needs of the service and participate in the 1 in 4 out of hours on call roster)
- Job ref
- 345-PAT7284623
- Employer
- North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- University Hospital of North Tees
- Town
- Stockton on Tees
- Salary
- Banding dependant on qualifications
- Closing
- 15/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Anatomical Pathology Technician (APT)
NHS AfC: Band 5
At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, our main priority is, and always will be, providing safe and high quality care to our patients every day; the kind of care we would want for ourselves and our loved ones.
If you share our passion then apply for this opportunity and help us make our patients’ experience the best it can possibly be.
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital-based services to the population of Hartlepool, Stockton on Tees and parts of East Durham and Sedgefield as well as community, therapeutic and screening to a wider population across Durham and Teesside.
Job overview
Mortuary services at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are provided collaboratively between the two Trusts and there is a requirement for the post holder to work across all Trust sites.
The service provides both Coronal and Forensic post-mortems. Post mortems are undertaken primarily at The James Cook University Hospital site and body storage facilities are available at all four hospital sites.
We pride ourselves on delivering a high quality service which ensures the dignity, respect and care for the deceased and bereaved and are looking to recruit a candidate who shares these values.
The department has full UKAS accreditation and is licensed by HTA. CPD is actively encouraged.
An opportunity exists for an Anatomical Pathology Technologist (APT) to join the Mortuary department. The post holder will be part of a cross site team providing a high quality, flexible, efficient and co-ordinated mortuary and bereavement support service to the Trust and Coroner’s Service.
Main duties of the job
Applicants for the Band 5 position must hold the L4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology awarded by The Royal Society of Public Health and be trained in both Mortuary APT and Bereavement Support functions.
Applications are welcome from candidates holding the L3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology awarded by The Royal Society of Public Health. You would be recruited at Band 4 and required to complete the L4 qualification prior to progressing to Band 5.
Applications are welcome from candidates wishing to join as an apprentice. You must meet the minimum eligibility criteria to apply including being 18 years or older and a UK resident for at least 3 years.
As an apprentice, you would be recruited at Band 3 and be required to complete the L3 qualification prior to progressing to Band 4 and the L4 qualification prior to progressing to band 5.
The nature of the job is such that it demands high standards of integrity. You must be able to work as part of a team or alone. Physical aspects require preparation of patients for autopsy, moving patients and family viewings. It is essential that you have good interpersonal skills with the ability to show empathy and deal sensitively with bereaved families.
Working for our organisation
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust now form University Hospitals Tees and as such you may be required to work at any site across both Trusts.
At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, we want our organisation to be the best place to work with the right staff, in the right roles, at the right time, to ensure we deliver exceptional patient care and experience.
We will support staff through providing an inclusive and supportive workplace with health and well-being initiatives, staff benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development.
We recruit for values and “Together we are North Tees & Hartlepool”
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification
Although core working days are currently Monday to Friday, you will be required to work flexibly around the needs of the service and participate in the 1 in 4 out of hours on call roster which includes weekend working
Person specification
Qulification
Essential criteria
- Holds Level 3 a Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or equivalent (Royal Society of Public Health and Hygiene Certificate in Anatomical Pathology Technology)
- Holds Level 4 a Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or equivalent (Royal Society of Public Health and Hygiene Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology)
- Full British driving licence
- Where applicable - meets the criteria for apprenticeship
Desirable criteria
- Member of the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technologists
Experience
Essential criteria
- Extensive mortuary experience
- Has supervised and been involved with the training of other staff
- Can demonstrate experience of working within guidelines/protocols
Desirable criteria
- Participated in out of hours on-call system
- Worked in NHS mortuary
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Extensive knowledge of routine and specialised dissection and reconstruction techniques
- Knowledge of Human Tissue Authority codes of Practice
- Knowledge of the functions of the Coronial system
- Knowledge of UKAS system and standards
Skills
Desirable criteria
- Literate in laboratory computerised and PC office applications
Applicant requirements
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Neil Wdowikowski
- Job title
- Mortuary Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01642 624325
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