Job summary
- Main area
- Mortuary
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
- Job ref
- 382-NBC58-26
- Employer
- Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Town
- Blackpool
- Salary
- £25,760 - £27,476 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 27/07/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technologist (APT)
NHS AfC: Band 3
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated on the west coast of Lancashire, with services covering the local authority areas of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The Trust is part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) supporting a population of around 1.6 million people.
We have three main hospitals providing acute services to around 330,000 local residents. The organisation also provides specialist tertiary care for cardiac and haematology services, delivers community health services to over 445,000 residents including those in North Lancashire and hosts the National Artificial Eye Service across England. Plus, we provide urgent and emergency care services to an estimated 18 million people who visit the seaside resort each year. We employ over 7000 people from 68 different countries.
We welcome and encourage application from anyone with protected characteristics, as well as supporting reservists and Veterans who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career within the NHS.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals encourages flexible working in all our roles to support staff in maintaining healthy home-life balance. Working patterns such as: part time working, self-rostering, compressed hours, annualised hours, term time, reverse term time and flexitime working can be explored.
Job overview
We are looking for a motivated individual to join our Mortuary team as an Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technologist (APT). The successful post holder will be required to support the existing team of APTs, to undertake a range of duties and contribute to the efficient and effective running of the mortuary service.
You must be capable of effectively and sensitively communicating with with bereaved relatives and will be routinely required to deal with range of extremely sensitive issues, e.g. explaining post mortem procedures, religious issues etc.
Commitment to completing Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology is expected whilst working in the Mortuary.
Main duties of the job
Duties will be wide ranging and varied, including dealing with the receipt and preparation of deceased patients, assisting with post-mortems and viewings, responding to enquiries, and general mortuary and administrative duties. Duties will be carried out following established Standard Operating Procedures.
Additional duties will be undertaken as directed by the Head of Department in consultation with the post holder.
Working for our organisation
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ideally situated just a forty five minute drive from Manchester. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac and Haematology patients.
As one of the United Kingdom's largest coastal resort, Blackpool has plenty to offer its residents -it's not just a good place to work; it's a great place to live. In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers a number of scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three-hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the north and London in the south.
Please note this role will not be eligible for sponsorship as it doesn't meet the minimum salary requirements for a skilled worker visa, therefore you must have appropriate right to work in the UK or your application will not be progressed to the next stage of Recruitment.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
· To facilitate the receipt and release of deceased patients in the mortuary. Ensuring all documentation is completed accurately and in accordance with department SOPs and HTA standards.
· To liaise with and update Bereavement Office on a daily basis regarding inpatient deaths and viewings.
· To support the Anatomical Pathology Technicians, medical and non-medical staff, Coroner’s Officers and other relevant individuals in conducting viewings of the deceased, attending to bereaved relatives, and conducting post-mortems.
· To undertake general administration duties across the department, to provide accurate data entry using the laboratory information management system.
· Responding to general enquires and telephone calls, where no interpretation of results is required. To communicate with all grades of staff, work as both an individual and part of a team.
· To plan and organise day to day tasks to ensure accurate and timely discharge of duties.
· To ensure safe handling of hazardous and infective materials according to defined protocols.
· General cleaning and housekeeping.
· Maintain an appropriate up to date knowledge base and attend relevant meetings.
· Contribute to, and maintain, high professional standards of the service. To ensure compliance with regards to mandatory standards, Departmental, Directorate, Trust and Statutory policies and procedures, professional and personal development, and professional codes of conduct, according to service needs
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- GCSEs in Sciences, Maths and English (Grades A-C / 4-9 or equivalent)
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience / sensitivity in cultural needs and dealing with bereaved relatives
- Good level of IT knowledge and understanding and experience of Microsoft office
- Experience of team working
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in a mortuary or laboratory environment.
- Knowledge of human anatomy & physiology and HTA codes of practice
- Experience of working within Coroner, Funeral Director or Police services
Skills
Essential criteria
- Good oral and written communication skills, telephone technique, client / customer liaison.
- Must complete in-house training and study for a Level 3 Diploma whilst working.
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Ability to work under pressure
- Able to follow instructions without deviation.
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
- Show respect and clarity when communicating work matters to colleagues.
- Physically fit – able to lift, carry and manoeuvre sometimes heavy loads.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
- Joanne Sharples
- Job title
- Cellular Pathology Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01253 953151
- Additional information
-
Mortuary Manager
Tel: 01253 956832
If you have problems applying, contact
- Address
-
BTH
- Telephone
- 03033 301 033 - Option 2 (LTH) & Option 4 (BTH)
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