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Job description

An opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated Anatomical Pathology Technologist (APT) or Trainee APT to work within the Histopathology team at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital NHS Trust.

The post holder will act as an qualified APT within the mortuary and hold a RSPH Diploma in APT or its equivalent with experience in paediatric post mortem techniques. Current working knowledge of Home Office & Coronial post mortem requirements and the Human Tissue Authority Standards is also required.

For a Trainee APT to be considered the post holder must fit the person specification and ideally be working towards the level 3 RSPH diploma

This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to join a team dedicated to providing the highest quality paediatric care.

You should be highly motivated, a good communicator and enjoy working as part of a Pathology wide team.

The role involves assisting with the day to day running of the mortuary and provision of a very high quality post mortem and mortuary service in accordance with the Trust and Human Tissue Authority requirements.

Alder Hey performs Hospital, Coronial & Home Office Post Mortems.

The successful candidate will be expected to participate in an out of hours on call mortuary service and work flexibly alongside the Histopathology laboratory staff in performing basic laboratory duties on a rotational basis (Full or further training will be provided).

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital is one of the largest paediatric hospitals in Western Europe. As a centre of excellence the Trust treats more than 200 000 children a year from the North West, North Wales, Shropshire, Isle of Man and further afield.

The laboratory is fully accredited by UKAS to standard ISO 15189 , is licensed by the Human Tissue Authority and participates in external quality assurance schemes.

POST Anatomical Pathology Technologist or Trainee APT

ACCOUNTABLE TO Histopathology Laboratory Manager

REPORTS TO Lead Anatomical Pathology Technologist

Job Summary:
The post holder will act as an Anatomical Pathology Technologist or trainee APT who provides a technical service for patient samples as an aid to the diagnosis of fetal, perinatal and paediatric disease. They will perform a range of technical procedures and provide technical support to Histopathologists.

Main duties and Responsibilities

• To carry out all work to specified standards and regulations set down by professional bodies including Royal Society of Public Health, Association of Anatomical Pathology Technologists, UKAS and the Human Tissue Authority.
• To work flexibly and participate in the routine work of the mortuary following standard operating procedures and also undertaking duties in the laboratory on a rotational basis. Laboratory duties include including specimen reception, dissection, processing, embedding, cutting, storing and staining of tissue.
• To plan and organise own work on a daily basis ensuring results are produced in an accurate and timely manner.
• To assist with hospital, Coronial & Forensic post-mortems
• To organise and participate in an out of hours on-call mortuary service. This includes liaising with Coroner’s officers, Police officers, funeral directors & Bereavement Care Services.
• To enter patient details and test procedures using the Meditech LIMS computer system.
• To participate in maintaining a system for the safe and confidential storage and retrieval of proper records and specimens both physically and electronically.
• To participate in the rota for departmental audits and inventory checks.
• To deal professionally with telephone enquiries using tact, diplomacy and empathy whilst maintaining strict confidentiality.
• To ensure proper and efficient use of equipment and consumables without wastage.
• To handle hazardous chemicals and reagents appropriately, on a daily basis, according to COSHH regulations and Departmental/Trust Health & Safety policies.
• To move and manipulate heavy objects using the correct equipment whilst following the appropriate manual handling guidelines.
• Provide on-call cover for the laboratory in the event of failure of the -80 freezers and the need to transfer tissue samples.
• Maintain tissue collections.

Communication

• To communicate effectively with peers, senior colleagues and service users on a daily basis maintaining confidentiality and sensitivity at all times
• To act in an empathetic and supportive manner to distressed families. This will include assisting and advising with practical issues regarding care of the deceased.

Analytical skills

• A high level of concentration is required during the post mortem examination and whilst assisting the Pathologist’s.
• To accurately record weights and measures of the deceased prior to post-mortem examination.
• To work unsupervised as an Anatomical Pathology Technologist or supervised as a Trainee
• To undertake the reception, processing, referral and storage of bodies and a variety of biological specimens on a daily basis, that may contain high risk micro-organisms.
• To assist with perinatal and post-mortem specimen dissection.
• To take x-rays of fetuses and small infants using enclosed x-ray facilities.
• To process and develop x-rays in the Radiology department
• To prepare patients for post mortem examination and reconstruct them following completion of the examination.
• To reconstruct fetuses using advanced reconstruction techniques.
• To ensure the appropriate dispatch and delivery of samples for subsequent laboratory tests.
• To undertake a wide variety of non-automated, complex operations requiring a high level of skill, knowledge and manual dexterity on a daily basis. These operations may be of a specialised nature due to the quality and size of paediatric specimens.
• Dissect placentas
• To dispose of surgical material following the completion of diagnostic tests following prescribed protocols.
• To assist with surgical cut up, embedding and section cutting when on rota in the laboratory
• Ensure samples are correctly packaged and transported in line with current regulations.
• Ensure specimens are disposed of and records maintained in accordance with law, guidelines and local SOPs.
• Confirms sufficiency and suitability of clinical equipment and resources required for procedures.
• Ensure routine preventative and corrective maintenance on equipment is undertaken and recorded in the appropriate documentation and Quality Management System.

Planning and organising skills

• To prioritise, plan and organise own work on a daily basis.
• To provide general daily supervision to trainee staff ensuring staff maintain professional standards and work to departmental policies and procedures.
• Work alone, managing own cases, prioritising urgent cases as necessary, ensuring completion of mortuary procedures in a timely manner.

Physical skills

• Daily removal of tissue, clinical and chemical waste to the appropriate storage areas.
• Receiving consumables and transporting to storage areas.
• Daily cleaning and disinfection of floors and downdraught benches.
• To remove and place patients in the mortuary fridges with the aid of a trolley and hoist.
• To ensure the moving and handling of heavy objects are undertaken according to Trust manual handling guidelines.
• Repetitive movements and long periods of standing whilst carrying out procedures.
• Exposure to VDUs and keyboard orientated tasks.
• Long periods requiring high concentration levels.
• Duties involve working with bodily fluids and hazardous chemicals on a daily basis whilst utilising the appropriate personal and protective equipment and following health and safety and infection control policies.
• Exposure to distressing and emotional circumstances relating to patient and users of the service.
• To ensure hazardous chemicals and reagents are handled appropriately and according to COSHH regulations.
• Exposure to –80C freezer and dry ice.

Responsibility for patient/client care

• To act in an empathetic and supportive manner to distressed families who are visiting deceased children in the Bereavement suites.
• To be able to deal with the care of deceased children and be aware of the relevant support mechanisms available.
• To supervise and participate in the reception, processing, referral, and storage of a variety of specimens, including those which may contain high risk organisms.
• To carry out all work to standards laid down by appropriate professional bodies.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements with respect to Histopathology e.g. UKAS & HTA
• Maintain records in accordance with Human Tissue Act, professional guidance, ISO 15189 standards, trust and local policies and procedures.
• Carry out quality audits
• To participate in and maintain Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• To undergo all Trust mandatory training
• Assess risks associated with mortuary activity (trained APT)
• Highlights work place incidents, taking action as appropriate. Keeps accurate records of incidents and informs the laboratory manager.
• To participate in annual performance review including the development of a Personal Development Plan (PDP).

Responsibility for policy/service development

• Review department procedures and contribute to implementing improvements and changes to practice in the mortuary (Qualified APT)
• To comply with trust and Departmental Health and Safety Policies, including reporting of all accidents, hazards and defects as soon as possible.
• To carry out duties in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, Data Protection Act, Coroners Act, Human Tissue Act and to adhere to recommendations set out by the Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health.
• To follow the protocols set out by joint agencies in relation to Sudden and Unexplained Death of an Infant (SUDI) for the Merseyside and Cheshire regions.

Responsibility for financial and physical resources

• To monitor levels of reagents and consumable items when stocks are running low. To acceptance test any reagents and consumables and ensure they are suitable for use
• To ensure all equipment and facilities provided within the department are used in a proper and safe manner.
• To carry out appropriate maintenance and quality control procedures.
• Ensure inventory checks are completed and stock levels maintained
• Responsible for ordering, receiving and receipting goods on NEP (trained APT)

Responsibility for human resources (detail below)

• To provide general daily supervision of trainee and mortuary assistants ensuring staff maintain professional standards and work to departmental policies and procedures (trained APT)
• To be available to provide advice and assistance to trainee and mortuary assistants and new staff members (trained APT)
• To be involved in staff training and competency assessments (trained APT)
• Demonstrate and encourage health, safety and security practices in the mortuary.
• Promote the values and principles of best practice in Histopathology.
• The post holder takes personal responsibility for his/her own development.
• Keeps up to date records of personal development and CPD.

Responsibility for information resources

• To input patients details and procedures into the Meditech computer system.
• To participate in maintaining a system for the safe and confidential storage and retrieval of records and specimens, both physically and electronically.
• To assist in the collation and retrieval of data using the laboratory Meditech computer system.