Anatomical Pathology Technician/Trainee - Annex 21 Pathology (Mortuary)

Job summary

Assist pathologists with adult and paediatric post-mortem examinations, including evisceration, specimen handling, and reconstruction, while maintaining mortuary facilities and equipment. Receive, transfer, and release deceased individuals; complete records; support families and other visitors; and follow relevant safety, infection-control, and data-protection procedures.

Job details

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included. The Role We are seeking an Anatomical Pathology Technician (APT) or Trainee Anatomical Pathology Technician to join the Mortuary Services team. The post holder will assist in delivering a safe, secure, effective, and comprehensive mortuary service across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGG&C), supporting the needs of the health service, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and the wider community. The role involves a wide range of mortuary duties including autopsy work, handling and transfer of deceased persons, liaison with funeral directors, supporting bereaved families, maintaining mortuary facilities and equipment, and ensuring all documentation is completed accurately. Staff are required to work across adult and paediatric post-mortem services and collaborate closely with pathologists, mortuary colleagues, hospital staff, and visitors. This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa or a Heath and Care Worker visa. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is unable to provide candidates or employees with a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS). Duration, Location, and Working Pattern: Permanent Role Queen Elizabeth University Hospital 36 Hours Per Week (08.30 - 16.30) Key Responsibilities Working as part of a team of Anatomical Pathology Technicians, the post holder will assist Pathologists in the performance of adult and paediatric post-mortem examinations, including evisceration, specimen collection and labelling, preparation and reconstruction of the deceased following examination, and ensuring post-mortem facilities are appropriately equipped and maintained. The role also includes receiving, transferring and releasing deceased individuals, carrying out mortuary administration and record-keeping, undertaking x-rays of deceased individuals under instruction, maintaining high standards of cleanliness and infection control, supporting enquiries from relatives, funeral directors and the Procurator Fiscal's Office, conducting viewings in a respectful and compassionate manner, and contributing to the training and development of colleagues. The post holder will ensure compliance with all relevant policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Data Protection, and departmental standard operating procedures. Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job: Qualified APT Applicants Royal Institute of Public Health (RSPH) Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology, or demonstrable equivalent knowledge. Substantial experience in autopsy techniques and high-quality reconstruction techniques. Experience handling decomposed, mutilated and paediatric deceased individuals. Experience in specialist post-mortem procedures including neuropathology, homicide and paediatric examinations. Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD). General knowledge of IT systems and laboratory/hospital computer systems. Knowledge of Data Protection legislation, departmental protocols, relevant codes of practice and standard operating procedures. Trainee APT Applicants Eligible for entry onto the RSPH Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology. NHSGG&C entry requirement of 3 Highers at Grade C or above, HNC/SVQ Level 3, or equivalent qualification. Willingness to undertake a comprehensive trainee programme across QEUH and satellite mortuaries. Commitment to completing the RSPH Level 3 Diploma and progressing to the RSPH Level 4 Diploma upon qualification. Essential Skills And Experience Good literacy and numeracy skills. Strong organisational and time management skills. Excellent interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills. Ability to communicate sensitive and complex information compassionately and professionally. Understanding of confidentiality and Data Protection requirements. Experience of working with the public, preferably within a healthcare environment. Experience of supporting bereaved relatives in sensitive and emotionally challenging situations. Experience of working with deceased individuals is desirable. What We Offer We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities. As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to: A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses Enhanced pay for working public holidays NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies Interested? If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you. For An Informal Discussion, Please Contact Permjeet Gandhi, Interim Mortuary Manager, 0141 451 5815, Permjeet.Ganhi@nhs.scot Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process: Information for candidates This vacancy may close early due to a high volume of applications. We recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application, but your answers must be your own. Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically. Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers. Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements. Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you, not an AI tool. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ. By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process. For application portal or log-in issues, please contact the Jobtrain Support Hub in the first instance.

What you’ll do

Assist pathologists with adult and paediatric post-mortem examinations, including evisceration, specimen handling, and reconstruction, while maintaining mortuary facilities and equipment. Receive, transfer, and release deceased individuals; complete records; support families and other visitors; and follow relevant safety, infection-control, and data-protection procedures.

Requirements

Qualified applicants need an RSPH Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology or equivalent knowledge, substantial autopsy and reconstruction experience, and experience with complex, paediatric, or specialist post-mortem cases. Trainee applicants must meet the stated education entry requirements and be willing to complete the RSPH Level 3 Diploma and progress to Level 4; all applicants need strong communication, organisation, literacy, numeracy, and confidentiality skills.

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Programme • Cycle To Work Scheme • Study Bursaries • Annual Leave • Public Holidays • NHS Pension Scheme • Life Insurance • Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme • Learning And Development Opportunities • Enhanced Public Holiday Pay • NHS Discounts • Counselling And Psychological Therapies • Flexible Working Options

Listed skills

• Teamwork · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Autopsy Techniques
• Post-Mortem Examinations
• Evisceration
• Specimen Collection And Labelling
• Deceased Person Handling And Transfer
• Mortuary Administration And Record-Keeping
• High-Quality Reconstruction
• Infection Control
• Health And Safety Compliance
• Data Protection
• Sensitive Communication
• Bereavement Support
• Teamwork
• Organisation And Time Management
• IT And Hospital Computer Systems
• Continuing Professional Development

Job areas

• Healthcare
• Science & Research
• Administrative