Job summary
The Mortuary and Bereavement Service based at Princess Royal Hospital, Orpington is looking for an enthusiastic, committed individual to join them as a Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technologist.
The successful applicant will actively participate in the provision of an efficient, professional mortuary service on the PRUH site. The mortuary performs in excess of 600 post mortems per year covering the areas of Bromley and Bexley.
Main duties of the job
This post is for a Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technologist who is willing to participate in the in-house training scheme, and enrol to complete the Level three diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology. The post holder will participate in the provision of a quality service for hospital and Coroners' post mortem examinations and the storage of deceased prior to release for burial, ensuring that all work is compliant with Mortuary standard operating procedures and performed to accredited standards. He/she will assist pathologists in carrying out post mortems. He/she will be involved in the smooth running of the office, post mortem room and body store. The post holder will need to liaise with various grades of staff including pathologists, clinicians, funeral directors, coroner's officers, police, laboratory staff, medical staff and other healthcare professionals both internal and external to the Trust.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King's College Hospital (KCH) in Denmark Hill, the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) in Bromley, Orpington Hospital and services at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup and the Beckenham Beacon.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order tomeet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
- To participate in the daily workload of the mortuary, including the post mortem room, body store and the office, adhering to departmental protocols
- To keep accurate records of any valuables that may accompany patients
- To ensure that all records are maintained accurately and securely within the standards.
- To be responsible for the release, receipt and transfer of deceased, including appropriate accompanying paperwork such as cremation certificates, FFI or NFFI forms.
- To arrange official identification on behalf of HM Coroner, acting as identifying officer when necessary.
- To ensure the smooth running of the mortuary office on a daily basis.
- To participate in the out of hours service (when trained).
- To assist the medical staff with routine post mortem examinations.
- To prepare patients for post mortem examination.
- To perform eviscerations as per the pathologists instructions ( supervised until trained).
- To obtain and treat appropriately any relevant samples as directed by the pathologist
- To photograph images of patients and specimens.
- To assist the pathologist with specimen dissection following post mortem.
- To assist in specialist techniques as instructed by the pathologist.
- To act as first point of contact for all users of the Mortuary Service, dealing with telephone calls and enquiries promptly, efficiently and sensitively, following mortuary procedures.
- To liaise with internal users, including pathologists, clinicians, students, nursing and administrative staff, laboratory staff and other healthcare professionals.
- To liaise with external institutions regarding referrals, funeral directors, Coroners Officers, Police, other healthcare professionals and occasionally enquires from relatives of deceased patients.
- To liaise with medical staff regarding completion of cremation certificates.
- To attend mortuary meetings and bring relevant issues and problems to the attention of the Assistant Service Manager.
- To liaise with all staff, students and others who are present at post mortem examination.
- To arrange and assist visits for relatives (when trained).
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Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Maths, English and Science GCSE
- Computer Literacy and ability to use common software
- Willing to enrol and complete the Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology
Desirable
- Knowledge of medical terminology
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Proven experience of working in a small team
Desirable
- Previous NHS experience
- Working knowledge of the Human Tissue Act
- Experience of working in a mortuary setting
- Experience of viewing or handling human tissues or bodies
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Highly developed interpersonal, communication, negotiating and writing skills
- Ability to liaise with a wide range of levels of staffs
- Ability to prioritise work
Desirable
- Ability to deal sensitively with bereaved relatives
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants .
Employer details
Employer name
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Princess Royal University Hospital
Farnborough Common
Orpington
BR6 8ND