Anatomical Pathology Technician

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: - To deputise for the Mortuary Manager in Mortuary functions in the event of his/her absence. -To assist the Mortuary Management to, implement and maintain effective management controls and procedures to ensure that: - - The service is covered at all times and all service objectives are met. -Health and Safety Polices are fully complied with and all risk assessments and operating procedures are reviewed at regular intervals and updated as required. -To manage and direct your own work, whilst not under the direct supervision of the Mortuary Manager. -To contribute to the services provided to ensure the effective delivery of a customer focused, high quality service in accordance with the agreed service specifications, business plan, service level agreements and the requirements of legislation, delegated powers, Council policy and Standing Orders and officer codes of practice. -To ensure that a robust system of record keeping is implemented and maintained. Also, to ensure that relevant databases are reviewed regularly for continued improvement in performance management. -To participate in the Council’s civil protection arrangements as required. -To help manage and participate in pursuit of the delivery of the Council’s core values. -To assist in the administrative arrangements for the reception of bodies into the mortuary, the release for burial or cremation and associated activities. -To ensure that all personal effects (cash and valuables) from bodies are properly recorded and stored in a safe manner until collected by an authorised person; also to document and arrange the disposal of any items which are a danger to health in accordance with procedures. -To attend out of hours meetings and call outs for the upkeep of the mortuary, plant breakdowns and crime oriented special investigations, as required. -To release the bodies, and any associated property to the Funeral Directors in accordance with the procedures. -To assist in the maintenance of communication with all contracted boroughs and their appointee Coroners. -Scientific & Technical Duties -To carry out the anatomical dissection required by the Pathologist in preparation for the Post Mortem. -To assist the Coroner, Coroner's Officer, Police Officers, Photographers, Forensic Scientists etc. in the investigation of suspicious deaths. -To prepare deceased for examination: - • Using specialised skills to remove the internal organs with minimal trauma presenting your findings to the pathologist. • Take any relevant samples and send or store them as necessary. • Record weights, measurements, and notes. • To reconstruct the body to a high standard, following a post-mortem. • To deliver or arrange delivery of samples taken at post-mortem. • To receive samples taken at post-mortem. • To receive the deceased into the mortuary and ensure they are accurately identified, registered, measured and labelled. • To ensure that all unidentified deceased are properly labelled once identity has been established. • To lay out the deceased, including high risk cases for viewing in a sensitive and respectful manner subject to individual risk assessments. • To ensure that all persons treat the dead with dignity and respect at all times. • To ensure that relatives are supported, offered advice if requested, and treated with courtesy and consideration at all times. • To maintain equipment on a day-to-day basis, with the disinfection of all instruments, tools, equipment and surfaces in the mortuary. • To ensure that rules regarding retention and respectful disposal of organise and human tissue are adhered to within the agreed guidelines of the Human Tissues Authority and Health and Safety Executive. Qualifications: Essential: Certificate in Anatomical Pathology Technology Desirable: Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology Knowledge & Experience: Essential -5 years of post-qualification experience in coronial post mortems, resulting in a good standard of evisceration and reconstruction practices. -Knowledge of the legislation governing the work of a public mortuary -Thorough, up to date knowledge of infection and other health and safety risks within a Public Mortuary. -Understanding of use and importance of coronial and registrar’s forms -Understanding of the record keeping and audit requirements within a public Mortuary Desirable -Wide experience of undertaking high risk post mortems -Experience of special examinations -Experience of disaster victim identification operations. -Understanding of the requirements of a Public Mortuary as laid down by the Human Tissue Authority -Knowledge of London disaster plans for mass fatalities -Knowledge of the structures and procedures of a coroner’s service and a local authority -Experience of supervising or managing operations within a public mortuary environment. -Experience of managing staff -Experience of managing HTA licence This job was originally posted as www.totaljobs.com/job/89790995