Anatomical Pathology Technician (APT)

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, our main priority is 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.

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.

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

Qualification

• 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.

Please be aware: Once sufficient applications have been received this vacancy may close early.

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)

It is the policy of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost for their DBS certificate. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay on commencement with the Trust. The DBS check will be undertaken during the pre-employment check screening.

Qualifications

Please note the essential qualifications required for the post are outlined within the Person Specification. You are required to provide original evidence of the necessary qualifications for the post at interview should you be shortlisted. You will also be required to provide original copies as part of the pre-employment check screening.

New Starters - Probationary Period

For any new employees commencing employment with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, you will be subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period. Please note that internal applications and individuals that are appointed to fixed term appointments of less than 6 months duration are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or a bank member of staff).

Employment References

As part of our pre-employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references covering their last three years employment history including any gaps. Applicants are requested to ensure e-mail addresses for all referees are included on their application form. Personal references are not acceptable.

Working Hours

If the hours advertised for the post are up to full time (37.5 hours per week), applications are still welcomed from individuals who may be seeking to work less than full-time hours and all requests will be considered in line with the post being appointed to for the successful applicant.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The details in the Monitoring Information section of your application will be used for monitoring our recruitment process and will not be seen by the interview panel. The information you give will be treated in the strictest confidence. To meet its commitment to promoting equality of opportunity, the Trust's policy is that individuals will be recruited, trained and promoted according to ability and job requirements only. As such we welcome your application irrespective of your gender, race, disability, colour, ethnic or national origin, and nationality, and marital status, responsibility for dependants, religion, trade union activity and age.

Right to Work in the UK

The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless they have permission to work via another route. Non UK/RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.

Please note that not everyone needs a 'Skilled Worker' visa. If you are applying for health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead. We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.

Disability

The Trust gives full and fair consideration to applications for employment received from disabled people. We are a 'Positive about Disabled People' employer, and we hold the 'two ticks' Disability Symbol, which is a recognition given by Jobcentre Plus to employers who have agreed to meet five commitments regarding the recruitment, employment, retention and career development of disabled people. If you have a disability, which makes it difficult for you to complete our application form, please do not hesitate to contact the recruitment team on 01642 383200.

Armed Forces Covenant

As a supporter of the Armed Forces and an employer of Reservists, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces (and their families) are treated fairly. We recognise that reservists and veterans bring a variety of transferable skills and qualities to our workplace, developed through their military careers. Our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community has been recognised through the Armed Forces Covenant as a Silver Employer.

Further Important Information

Please check your email on a regular basis for updates on your application. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to email via this method. Please ensure you read the 'Guidance Notes for Applicants' document attached to this advert before completing and submitting your application.