Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technologist: Sponsorship Available

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

Applications are invited for the post of Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technologist for the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Mortuary Service.

We are looking for a highly-motivated Trainee APT to join our enthusiastic team in maintaining and developing service quality.

Applicants must have excellent communication skills, be compassionate, display meticulous attention to detail and have a will to develop a detailed knowledge of Mortuary function and end-of-life care and a good understanding of mortuary services.

Our service is comprised of an HTA-licensed mortuary site providing hospital and Coronial services for South Devon. We look after approximately 2000 deceased patients and carry out around 550 Coronial Post Mortems annually.

Applicants should make themselves aware of HTA licensing requirements. The successful candidate will have a desire to develop a detailed understanding of working with community partners, The Coroner’s Office and Bereavement services, with an innate empathic approach towards the bereaved and a supportive attitude to colleagues in an emotionally and physically demanding workplace.

The role will include participating in the 24/7 on-call service.

The successful applicant will be enrolled on the Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology.

We strongly encourage potential applicants to evaluate the practical elements of being available to respond to calls and be on site out-of-hours 1 week in 4 before applying

Main duties of the job

  • To provide a specialist safe, secure, and effective mortuary and post mortem service for the needs of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Pathologists, Coroner and the community.
  • You will be required to work towards the Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology.
  • You will be trained and supervised to obtain theoretical and practical knowledge and experience.
  • You will provide practical assistance to the Pathologist whilst in attendance and ensure that safe practices and standard operating procedures are adhered to in every aspect of the departments’ work.
  • They will contribute to the efficient day to day running of the department, being responsible for essential user maintenance and excellent standards of cleanliness and sterilisation of mortuary equipment as directed.
  • You will be trained to apply appropriate techniques when preparing for and assisting in post mortem examinations and identify potential hazards to health and take measures to minimise or eliminate risks in the Mortuary
  • You will be responsible for ensuring that you apply knowledge of the laws and codes of practice relating to the Mortuary and all aspects of its function including those in relation to the deceased and ensure dignity is maintained at all times.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • 5 GCSE passes or equivalent (To include Maths, English and Biology)
  • Driving licence

Desirable

  • Bereavement / counselling course
  • Health & Safety training
  • Conflict management training
  • Manual Handling training

Experience

Essential

  • Working with the public
  • Keyboard & Computer skills

Desirable

  • Experience in a hospital or laboratory setting
  • Direct patient experience or experience working in an allied end of life care setting
  • Keyboard and computer skills qualification, such as ECDL

Specific Skills

Essential

  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Proven team worker
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
  • Able to deal with emotionally distressing situations
  • Able to react appropriately in emergency situations.

Desirable

  • Demonstratable experience working within a team under pressure

Working conditions

Essential

  • Able to participate in out of hours working, evenings and weekend (1 in 4 on call)
  • Able to undertake sustained periods of physical effort
  • Able to undertake sustained periods of mental effort
  • Able to withstand frequent exposure to unpleasant and upsetting situations.

Desirable

  • Previous experience dealing with unpleasant or upsetting situations
  • Previous experience working nights or on call shifts

Attitude

Essential

  • Empathic/sympathetic approach
  • Able to deal with a work pattern within the department which is unpredictable and able to re-prioritise tasks as different events unfold throughout the working day.
  • Meticulous and conscientious

Desirable

  • Demonstrate willingness to learn and adapt

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

Closing Date: 10 August 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.