A mortuary worker is climbing the ladder in her dream career, as she progresses into her new role while balancing being a mum of two young children.
Shaunna Cahillane, from Roseworth, began her NHS career aged 23 at the University Hospital of North Tees working as a healthcare assistant in endoscopy.
After a tour of the hospital’s mortuary piqued her interest, Shaunna took a chance and applied for job in a trainee position. Now 33, Shaunna has worked in the department for almost 10 years, working through her qualifications to progress in her career.
Balancing her work with life as a mum-of-two, she has most recently completed her Level 4 Diploma in Healthcare Science qualification. Shaunna now proudly works as a level 4 anatomical pathology technologist (ATP) across University Hospitals Tees’ four main hospital sites.
Her role sees her caring for patients after death, performing post-mortem examinations, supporting patients’ loved ones with viewings and liaising with funeral directors to continue care after hospital.
Shaunna said: “There’s a lot of care and compassion in this job. Our patients might not know, but they are getting the care and dignity that they deserve, just as they would have in life.
“Some days are especially tough, but just knowing that our patients are safe and comfortable – that that carries on with us after death – it gives me a real sense of pride.
“I’ve been here almost 10 years now and I’ve never looked back. I don’t think there’s anything else I’d ever want to do.”
Completing her qualification
Shaunna began her level 4 qualification in 2020. After the Covid pandemic and maternity leave put training on hold, Shaunna officially qualified as a level 4 anatomical technology pathologist in September this year.
Her new qualification sees Shaunna taking on more complex post-mortem cases and responsibilities in managing the mortuaries at the University Hospital of North Tees and The James Cook University Hospital.
Shaunna said: “My level 4 has been a long time in the making. It’s been a little bit stressful doing it in between the pandemic and having my daughter. But I knew I could do it, it was just about pushing myself.
“Our managers Neil and Sharron have been great and our team is amazing. They’re so supportive with everything – work, training and anything outside of work as well. We’re really close and I think that’s important in a role like this.”
Neil Wdowikowski, mortuary manager, added: “Shaunna’s qualification is really well deserved, she’s pivotal in our team of APTs, assistants and bereavement officers, having helped train many of them. Shaunna always shows high levels of care and compassion to patients and their relatives, having on many occasions, gone above and beyond to assist in making what is often one of the worst times in a person’s life as supportive and empathetic as possible.
“Professionally, Shaunna stands out in both skill and knowledge and, I dare to say, is an ambassador for anatomical pathology technologists everywhere.”
Balancing work with family
At home, Shaunna credits her family for supporting her – including partner Jordan and their two children, four-year-old Reuben and two-year-old Rosie.
When asked about work-life balance, she said: “I’ve got a great family for support.
“Reuben and Rosie know what I do. They know I work in a hospital and they know I look after people who have died because they’re poorly or old. It’s not scary to them, they find it quite interesting – like I think most of us do.
“I try to be open and honest – I think that’s really important.”
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