University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Senior Anatomical Pathology Technician

The closing date is 29 November 2026
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Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a committed and experienced full time Band 5 Senior Anatomical Pathology Technologist to join our hardworking and friendly team.

The department currently provides a service as part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Services, dealing with both Hospital and Community deaths across Coventry and Warwickshire. The service covers three mortuaries, University Hospital Coventry NHS Trust, Rugby St Cross and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust conducting hospital, coronial, high risk and forensic post mortem examinations.

Please note that a job share will be considered if service requirements are met.

Interview date is currently planned for the week commencing 14th December this may be subject to change depending on circumstances.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.

Main duties of the job
Applicants will be expected to assist in the duties of the running the mortuary predominantly at UHCW however cover of Warwick and Rugby Hospital when service needs require. UHCW is the West Midlands Forensic Centre and Designated Disaster Mortuary so the candidate will be expected to understand and partake in the out of hours provisions.

Individuals should be motivated, be able to maintain confidentiality, have excellent communication/interpersonal skills, be well organised, be able to present to clinical staff and be able to lead a highly skilled team

The candidate must hold the Diploma in APT and have significant current practical mortuary experience. Experience and knowledge of all practices including all types of PM examinations is essential. The department is UKAS accredited and holds HTA licenses and encourages all staff to be UKDVI and AHCS registered.

Out of hours cover is provided via an on-call system and the successful candidate will be expected to assist in the provision of this service.

About us
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Details
Date posted: 13 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 218-HSS-B5-8431967
Job locations: University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry, CV2 2DX, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• To keep accurate and complete records and ensure that the mortuary registers are kept up to date.
• To supervise the daily mortuary activities as part of the team.
• To work alone when necessary to facilitate the Coroners work and the routine mortuary duties.
• To be responsible for the day-to-day running of the mortuary on multiple sites following Trust policies.
• To ensure that all deceased are admitted and registered following Trust policy.
• To ensure that all deceased are released from the mortuary following Trust policy.
• To attend meetings and training sessions as directed by the manager.
• To participate in training sessions for service users, internal and external.
• To arrange and prepare viewings/IDs in the viewing room.
• To accompany families to the viewing room as needed.
• To liaise with next of kin in a professional, sympathetic but practical manner.
• To arrange official identifications on behalf of Her Majesties Coroner and when necessary act as Identifying Officer.
• To follow the guidelines set out by the HTA when handling specimens.
• To ensure secure postage of any specimens leaving the department, preparing specimens for transport appropriately.
• To have an ability to work flexibly across multiple sites within our network

For further details of the job role please see attached job description.

Person Specification
Qualification & Training
Essential

• RSPH Certificate and Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology, or RSPH Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology
• AAPT Membership.

Desirable

• AHCS/Science Council Registration.
• HTA/AAPT Consent training.

Experience
Essential

• Participation in provision of out of hours service.
• Experience of forensic work.
• Dealing compassionately with bereaved relatives.
• Experience of training staff.

Desirable

• Experience working with paediatric cases.

Knowledge
Essential

• Demonstrate a broad knowledge in mortuary practices to include post mortems, forensic work and HTA codes of practice.
• Knowledge of Best Practice set out by the AAPT.
• Knowledge of infection control and health & safety measures.

Desirable

• Knowledge of DVI/mass fatality processes.

Skills
Essential

• Be able to speak, receive and issue instructions without risk of misunderstanding.
• IT and keyboard skills.
• Ability to demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• To cope well with responsibility.
• To work in accordance with Departmental and Trust protocols.
• To develop personal skills and knowledge.
• Ability to work cross site.
• Full driving licence with access to own transport.

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential

• Evidence of demonstrating the Trust Values (Compassion, Openness, Pride, Partnership, Improve, Learn and Respect) and the associated Values in Action behaviours in the workplace.
• For posts with managerial responsibility only: Evidence of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and ensuring fair and equitable practices throughout your work experience.
• Evidence of promoting a culture which helps individuals live behaviours aligned to our Trust Values (Compassion, Openness, Pride, Partnership, Improve, Learn and Respect).

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.