About this role
Job summary
Applications will only be accepted from candidates that already hold the Certificate and Diploma (pre 2014) or the level 3 and 4 diploma awarded by the Royal Institute of public Health in Anatomical PathologyTechnology.
Hours of work are Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm.
During winter months December - March the core hours are between 6:00am - 6:00pm, which may include some Saturdays.
To organise, prepare and oversee the post mortem service on behalf of the coroner and the trust including general hospital cases, high risk cases and forensic cases. At all times the dignity of the deceased must be maintained.
In the absence of the Mortuary Manager, and their assistant manager to assume responsibility for the management of mortuary services at your primary site, in conjunction with relative stakeholders, both within University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Leighton and Macclesfield hospitals throughout the NMCPS.
To carry out duties on behalf of the mortuary manager as required.
The role includes that you are a member of the on rota for the provision of the out of hours service and will need a full driving licence and access to a personal vehicle.
Main duties of the job
Responsible for the day-to-day management of the post mortem service, including supervising mortuary staff and trainee pathologists, organising cases, maintaining records, and liaising with the Coroner's Office. Ensures compliance with UKAS, HTA, and Trust standards, supporting quality, audit, and performance management. Oversees staff competency, training, and workforce skill mix, contributing to departmental strategy, financial planning, and continuous professional development.
Maintains safe and efficient mortuary operations, including workflow, equipment oversight, security, health and safety compliance, and risk management. Supports incident reporting and resolution, ensures appropriate handling of tissue, valuables, and personal effects, and facilitates tissue donation processes. Promotes high professional standards with a compassionate, culturally sensitive approach to bereavement care.
Acts as a key liaison with medical examiners and bereavement services, participates in the on-call rota, and ensures cleanliness and operational readiness of all mortuary areas. Also undertakes training responsibilities, including manual handling, and contributes to staff development reviews, while performing any additional duties appropriate to the role.
About us
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.
All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.
UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.
At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details regarding the responsibilities.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Certificate/Level 3 of Anatomical Pathology Technology Diploma/Level 4 of Anatomical Pathology Technology English and Mathematics at GCSE level or equivalent
Desirable
Science council registration Member of the Association of Anatomical Pathology
Experience Essential
Proven post APT Diploma experience Experience of working with hazard/unpleasant substances, including high risk autopsies. Highly developed specialist knowledge of mortuary practice underpinned by theoretical and practical experience
Desirable
Experience of assisting at forensic post mortem examinations. Demonstrate a sound knowledge and application of quality systems with particular reference to UKAS and HTA Experienced in use of Clinisys Masterlab LIMS Staff management experience
Skills Essential
Intermediate and accurate IT skills Work with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and contribute to their review and implementation Work under pressure; plan and prioritise allocated work to work to deadlines.
Desirable
Competent in use of computers with knowledge of Microsoft word, Excel and PowerPoint
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust
Address Royal Stoke University Hospital
Newcastle Road
Stoke on Trent
ST4 6QG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhnm.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)