Healthcare Scientist Specialist Anatomical Pathology (XR06)
| Posting date: | 05 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £38,682.00 to £46,580.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £38682.00 - £46580.00 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 26 February 2026 |
| Location: | Leeds, LS9 7TF |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | C9298-PATH-505 |
Summary
JOB DIMENSIONS As a Healthcare Scientist Specialist (Anatomical Pathology Technician) you will be the lead specialist in the mortuary and as such will lead a group of anatomical technicians and support staff. You will plan and prioritise the day to day work load of the mortuaries. You will also be required to work alone and independently, for example when working on-call or when performing highly specialized tasks. You will be a highly competent member of the department having the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to perform a wide range of specialist techniques that contribute towards the provision of the mortuary service to the Trust and to HM Coroner. There is a frequent requirement for concentration when planning for an unpredictable workload, and when performing specialist techniques e.g. an Infection risk autopsy. You will be responsible for contributing to, and implementing policies and procedures: relevant to the mortuary service which operates on three sites relevant to service changes which impact externally i.e. portering services and funeral directors You will be expected to apply professional judgements and specialist skills to complex and sometimes emotive situations. E.g. assessing infection risk. You will be required to communicate complex and / or sensitive information to colleagues, clinicians, undertakers, HM Coroner, and HM Coroners Officers. You will demonstrate empathetic skills when communicating with bereaved relatives. Your contribution towards team development will require your active participation in people governance procedures consistent with Trust policies. Subject to consultation you may be required to undertake additional tasks in support of the general management of the department. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED In order to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you will have successfully studied for a Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology (RIPHH). In addition you will have significant experience within the speciality, including a thorough understanding of the range of working practices relating to advanced autopsy, forensic and infection procedures. You will have developed a range of competencies and specialist knowledge within the discipline through extensive practical experience, in house training and structured study and will continue to develop your skills and knowledge. You will be expected to have a supervisory management qualification. To fulfil your other people governance responsibilities you will be required to undergo appropriate HR training, e.g. staff appraisal. As a senior staff member you may be required to assist in the general management of the department. Any training required for this will be provided. In addition, basic computer skills are essential to carry out your work. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS In order to work effectively in the role you as the job holder must be able to demonstrate a number of attributes and abilities. These will include: - to gain new knowledge through experience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes - to be a leading member of a team providing a clinical technical service - to train others and demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate - to work independently when and as required by the service, for instance when working on-call. - to communicate clearly and effectively whether orally, graphically or electronically - to plan, and prioritise, the workload of the section, on a daily basis - to coordinate the tasks undertaken by other team members - to work with precision and follow accurately the documented standard operating procedures - to operate highly complex mortuary equipment safely and efficiently - to perform routine and advanced post mortem procedures - to prepare bodies for viewing - to comply with the Health and Safety requirements of the mortuary service - to maintain accurate and confidential records relating to patient information - to input, manage, extract and interpret patient data using the departmental computer system - to contribute actively towards the improvement of general service quality by participation in relevant discussions with other team members and leaders of other sections within the speciality - to implement changes to the mortuary service PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY To perform a wide range of routine and advanced post mortem procedures including advanced autopsy, forensic and infection procedures. These are highly developed physical skills where accuracy is important. Eg dissection and reconstruction of bodies (including facial reconstruction), suturing, evisceration of organs. - To perform tasks accurately and in accordance with departmental standard operating procedures. - To plan the day to day activities within the mortuary, and to provide cover on other sites as required. - To be conversant with contemporary methods and aid in the procurement of such equipment as is deemed necessary for the service. - To give professional advice, and to communicate accurately sensitive and / or highly complex information to users of the service in a manner that is in accordance with departmental procedures. (Examples of users are: pathologists, clinical staff, HM Coroner, HM Coroners Officers, police officers, funeral directors and bereavement nurses). - To give professional advice to undertakers and bereaved relatives. - To communicate with bereaved relatives regarding sensitive situations, and where there may be barriers to understanding. - To enter, manage, retrieve and interpret complex patient information using the laboratory computer system. - To participate in clinical trials that are relevant to the section - To participate in equipment testing and adaptation as a function of service development - To provide training to support, technical, scientific and medical staff - To actively participate in the laboratory quality assurance and risk management programmes - To participate in laboratory audit processes - To contribute to general departmental management by performing, subject to consultation, such tasks as delegated by the Mortuary Manager This list is not exhaustive and the changing needs of the service from time to time may require the development of other appropriate tasks and skills. These will be fully discussed with the post holder in advance of their implementation. The Pathology Department of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is located on several sites. Subject to consultation, the post holder may be required to work in a mortuary on an alternative site as required by the Laboratory Manager. In addition the Trust requires compliance with a number of corporate policies and procedures. These policies will be discussed with your line manager during your period of induction and further information is available from the Trusts intranet site.