Senior Anatomical Pathology Technologist (APT)

Overview

In this role you support a busy hospital mortuary that also serves the local community, ensuring licensed, high-quality autopsy services. You will work with the Medical Examiner system, liaise with Coroners, police, and bereaved families, and help oversee body handling and autopsy suite operations. The position offers a front-line, hospital-facing role with opportunities to mentor junior staff and contribute to public health funerals and governance. You will work during early morning shifts and partake in on-call duties, in a compassionate, professional environment.

Pay / Benefits

• Band 6 salary (£47,951–£56,863)
• Permanent contract
• Full-time role
• Inclusive of HCAs
• Opportunity to contribute to public health funerals
• Public sector pension potential (implicit in NHS roles)

Responsibilities

• Manage the autopsy suite and body handling area under the mortuary manager
• Assist the mortuary manager with monitoring, control of work, and training of junior staff
• Deputise for the mortuary manager during annual leave
• Complete audits and liaise with the Designated Individual; attend governance meetings
• Promote Health and Safety and participate in related training
• Liaise with pathologists, HM Coroner, funeral directors, police, and members of the public
• Demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills; support bereaved families sensitively
• Adhere to SOPs, safety guidelines, and departmental policies
• Contribute to arranging Public Health funerals for London Borough of Islington
• Participate in Out of Hours on-call system
• Be available for early-morning autopsy schedules and ensure timely commuting
• Assist with on-site governance and compliance with licensing requirements

Key requirements

• Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or equivalent
• Accuracy and attention to detail; good literacy; clear communication
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and work to strict deadlines
• Excellent knowledge of Human Tissue Authority Codes of Practice and Health and Safety
• Good organisational and management skills within a multi-discipline mortuary environment
• Ability to prioritise tasks and deputise for the mortuary manager when required
• Willingness to work early mornings and participate in on-call rota
• Good interpersonal skills for dealing with bereaved families, Coroner's officers, police, and colleagues
• Be within easy commuting distance for early shifts
• Discretion and compassionate approach toward bereaved families
• Desirable knowledge of Medical Examiner system and public health funeral processes

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Empathetic and compassionate
• Flexible working hours
• Management of autopsy workload
• Monitoring and control of mortuary operations
• Knowledge of Medical Examiner system

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