North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
Anatomical Pathology Technologist - Peterborough

The closing date is 15 November 2026

Job summary
*Please note: Non-APT-Qualified applicants may also be considered for this role, in a trainee capacity. This would be appointed at Band 5 under Annex 21 and include in-house training whilst working towards the RSPH Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Science.*

The Pathology Team at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Anatomical Pathology Technologist to join the Mortuary and Bereavement Services team. The post is primarily based at Peterborough City Hospital, with occasional travel to Hinchingbrooke Hospital required.

The role of anatomical pathology technologist plays a vital role in caring for the deceased, supporting bereaved families and related services following the death of a patient. The post holder will provide a compassionate, professional and responsive service, ensuring that all aspects of post-death care, post mortem examination and mortuary administration are completed accurately, sensitively and in accordance with Trust policies, legal requirements and national guidance.

Working closely with the Bereavement Team, Medical Examiner Service, Coroner's Office, funeral directors and police, the post holder will contribute to a multidisciplinary approach that facilitates the timely and coordinated management of patients following death.

Main duties of the job

• Facilitate the admission, storage and release of patients
• Arrange and prepare patients for relative visitation
• Monitor the condition of deceased patients and implement appropriate care measures as required
• Prepare pregnancy loss cases for shared cremation and other sensitive disposal arrangements
• Facilitate/accommodate organ/body donation requests
• Assist with patient identification
• Review post-mortem examination requests
• Schedule post-mortem examinations
• Liaise with the coronial service and pathologists
• Complete patient organ evisceration and reconstruction
• Facilitate specialist examinations; including high risk, forensic and those with infestations
• Retrieve, package and transfer post-mortem samples
• Arrange off-site hospital paediatric post mortem examinations
• Create and maintain accurate records and documentation to ensure complete traceability
• Utilise hospital and pathology specific systems to complete patient records and samples tracking
• Complete regular scheduled audits and document reviews
• Assist with ensuring SOPs remain up-to-date and reviewed regularly
• Complete CPD
• Maintain competency records and up-to-date training
• Monitor and maintain adequate stock levels of consumables
• Liaise with hospital wards, pathologists, the coronial service, police, funeral directors and other related services requiring assistance
• Assist bereaved relatives in a sensitive and compassionate manner
• Ensure compliance with HTA codes of practice and UKAS standards

About us
Priority will be given to colleagues identified as at risk through the Trust's redeployment process.

Details
Date posted: 09 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 176-F-8228551
Job locations: Peterborough City Hospital, Bretton Gate, Peterborough, PE3 9GZ, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will contribute to maintaining a safe, secure and respectful environment within the Mortuary and Bereavement Centre, ensuring that the deceased are always treated with dignity and that bereaved families receive clear information, guidance and support at a difficult time. The role forms part of a small specialist team working across North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust sites to deliver a high-quality, patient-centred bereavement and mortuary service.

If you are looking to develop your career in anatomical pathology and are committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality care, we would welcome your application to join our dedicated and supportive team. Ensure patient confidentiality is maintained at all times
Adhere to Trust policies and procedures
If you are interested in this opportunity, please read the attached Job Description for full details.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Minimum 5 GCSE Grade A-C (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics.

Desirable

• Bereavement Qualification
• RSPH Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Science
• RSPH Level 4 Diploma in Healthcare Science

Knowledge
Essential

• Interest in anatomy and physiology
• Good attention to detail

Desirable

• Working knowledge of HTA and UKAS standards
• Understanding of the legal requirements following a death

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working with professionals and the public
• Experience of using general office software, particularly MS Word, Excel and Outlook
• Experience working within a fast-paced environment

Desirable

• Experience dealing with deceased and/or the bereaved
• Experience of working with medical terminology in relation to cause of death
• Experience managing difficult/stressful situations

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.
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.

Employer details
Employer name: North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Peterborough City Hospital, Bretton Gate, Peterborough, PE3 9GZ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.nwangliaft.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Mortuary and Bereavement Services Manager, Edward Lee, edward.lee5@nhs.net, 01733673540

Supporting documents
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