Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic, flexible team member, who can be sensitive to family's needs, to join the Mortuary team at QEQM Hospital in Margate. This is a full-time, substantive role as an Anatomical Pathology Technologist (APT, Band 5). Flexibility to support across site working is a necessity. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to carry out routine and specialised mortuary techniques to a high level of competence.

Cellular pathology and mortuary services are based at William Harvey Hospital (WHH), Ashford, with cellular pathology (histology and cytology) exclusively centralised to WHH. Full mortuary facilities are also available at Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Margate, with additional body storage at Kent and Canterbury Hospital (K&CH).

Cellular pathology is known for its strong team spirit and open friendly culture. There is great emphasis on cross communication between the technical and diagnostic teams. The team incorporates 84 staff, including mortuary technicians.  The diversity of staff within the discipline contributes to delivery of a high quality of service, with the aim of putting the patient first.

The cellular pathology service is UKAS accredited to ISO15189 standards and the mortuary service appropriately HTA accredited.

We would consider a Trainee for this role. Trainee APT pay starts at 70 per cent of the pay band maximum (pro rata where applicable), moving to bottom of Band 5 once qualified.

Main duties of the job

The post holder assists the lead anatomical pathology technician in the training and development of all East Kent Hospitals NHS trust trainee morticians ensuring common practices and adherence to department standard operating policies and procedures.

The individual ensures the mortuary operates to the standards of service and quality set by the Head of Service and Head BMS for Cellular Pathology. They assist the lead anatomical pathology technician in the deployment of staff and resources at each of the sites and rotate to other mortuaries as directed by the Lead Mortician.

Day-to-day duties. To receive, identify and store in secure, safe and hygienic conditions all bodies sent to the mortuary/post-mortem room. Ensure the safe keeping of clothing, property and valuables of the deceased and keep records when required. Maintain accurate records of all deceased and ensure all necessary paperwork is highly organised.

The post holder performs all duties in accordance with the standard operational procedures and in accordance with statutory requirements such as the Human Tissue Authority Codes of practice. 

Working for our organisation

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference’. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

KMPN: Kent and Medway Pathology Network is a formal partnership of seven laboratories across three pathology services in four acute Trusts. Our 1000 colleagues provide services across the health and care sector to a population of nearly 2 million.

We are at an exciting point of our network development with a recommendation to form a joint venture across the four Trusts leading transformation.  Our projects including single IT solutions, procurement and digital projects, to ensure our services are able to meet growing demand for our service users, patients and communities.