Job summary
To provide a safe, secure, effective and comprehensive mortuary and post mortem service for the needs of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, Coroner and the Community.
The post holder will be required to hold the Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology and perform a broad range of duties, with or without direct supervision of a trained member of Technical Staff.
The post holder will assist in all aspects of the department including post mortem provision, audits, quality management, SOPs, training, health and safety, incident reporting and HTA and CPA compliance.
They will assist in the monitoring of resources (equipment, consumables and other premises), to achieve optimum quality and efficiency. They will contribute to the training of junior staff. They will communicate and liaise with clinical and non-clinical Trust staff, HMCo's, Police, Funeral Directors and Consultant Histopathologists to ensure delivery of a professional and efficient mortuary service.
The job will be based at University Hospital Lewisham; however there is an expectation to provide cross site cover whenever required.
PLEASE NOTE: We may not be able to offer sponsorship for this post
Main duties of the job
To provide a safe, secure, effective and comprehensive mortuary and post mortem service for the needs of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, Coroner and the Community.
The post holder will be required to hold the Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology and perform a broad range of duties, with or without direct supervision of a trained member of Technical Staff.
The post holder will assist in all aspects of the department including post mortem provision, audits, quality management, SOPs, training, health and safety, incident reporting and HTA and CPA compliance.
They will assist in the monitoring of resources (equipment, consumables and other premises), to achieve optimum quality and efficiency. They will contribute to the training of junior staff. They will communicate and liaise with clinical and non-clinical Trust staff, HMCo's, Police, Funeral Directors and Consultant Histopathologists to ensure delivery of a professional and efficient mortuary service.
About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
- Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
- Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
- Improving the experience of staff with disability
- Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
- Making equalities mainstream
Job description
Job responsibilities
OPERATIONAL DUTIES
- Record deceased details in the Mortuary Register and keep accurate records of deceased property/valuables in line with the trust policy.
- Return deceased property to bereaved relatives if they request removal of items
- To liaise with funeral directors or authorised persons. To be responsible for the release of deceased in line with departmental, Trust and HTA policies, ensuring all appropriate documentation is received/given as appropriate
- Maintain appropriate records within the department mortuary register, post mortem register, equipment servicing, fridge/freezer temperatures, cleaning etc, ensuring compliance with HTA regulations and CPA compliance
- To report any problems, both with the functioning of the mortuary and any unusual occurrences which may have happened out of normal working hours, to the Mortuary Manager
- Complete adverse incident form on line for any accidents, incidents or near misses
- Adhere to departmental SOPs
- Liaise with external agencies including the Coroners office, Police and GPs.
- Liaise with bereavement, chaplaincy, womens health counsellors, nursing and clerical staff across both sites.
- Ensure all Mortuary equipment, such as Hydraulic Lift etc, are kept clean and maintaining of appropriate cleaning/maintenance records in conjunction with Infection Control Standards
- To give mortuary induction training to nursing and portering staff.
To suitably prepare and place deceased adults, children, infants or fetuses for viewing in the Chapel of Rest, special attention given to individual and cultural religious beliefs. To meet and bring family to the mortuary. To accompany family into the viewing room.
- To help with the collection of notes and paperwork from wards and departments for post mortem examinations.
- To show deceased to Drs for medical papers to be completed.
- To take an active role in Health and Safety ensuring safe, and appropriate, working practices within the department for self, employees or other third parties visiting the department or general areas of the Trust
- To be aware of cultural and religious beliefs of the deceased/relatives and respect these, within reason, at all times
- Assists in H&S inspections within the department.
- Actively participate in monthly departmental meetings.
- To maintain confidentiality pertaining to deceased and all trust business.
- To assist external tissue retrieval teams
- To oversee completion of hospital post mortem consent forms by medical and surgical staff and to answer any questions from the bereaved relating to the form.
- Arrange deactivation and/or removal of defibrillators and pacemakers and appropriate disposal.
The collation and distribution of the certificates required for disposal and cremation in liaison with the Bereavement Officers and Coroners Office.
Locating and collecting pre-transfused blood samples on behalf of HM Coroner
Receiving payment from funeral directors in cash or cheque form. Paying Doctors cremation fees.
Liaising with funeral directors, raising cremation forms, free from infection forms and out of England paperwork.
- Assist the bereavement office, if required, such as contacting clinicians, overseeing documentation completed by clinicians such as cremation forms, medical cause of death certificates and free from infection forms.
- To meet and greet bereaved relatives/carers in a sensitive manner.
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL
Prepare the post mortem room and equipment prior to an autopsy.
To assist the medical staff with routine post mortem examinations,
Check the authorisation and extent of the post mortem examination.
Liaise with staff likely to be present during the examination.
Prepare the deceased for examination, under supervision if required.
Assist with post-mortem examinations.
To record organ weights and measurements as required.
- To repair/reconstruct bodies following a post mortem
- To ensure all organs, tissue, blood and other samples are appropriately labelled, recorded and tracked and disposal records maintained
- To disinfect all tools and surfaces once examinations are complete.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
- To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other mortuary information.
- To use the mortuary IT equipment according to the authorised protocols, HTA and CPA standards. This would include consultation with staff and promoting new ways of working, implementing new policies and procedures etc.
GENERAL
Physical skills
- Possible exposure to body tissue and fluids, some of which may be of high risk
- (i.e. Category 3).
- Exposed to COSHH regulated chemicals.
- Technical tasks require periods of intense physical activity and the need to maintain concentration for long periods.
- Work in this area requires frequent exposure to highly distressing and emotive situations.
Freedom to act
- The post holder will organise and prioritise ones own work load without direct supervision. However, a line manager will be available for reference.
- Any issues or problems should be resolved with Supervisor
Physical effort
- Physical effort will be frequently required to handle deceased and move them around.
- Equipment is available and should be used where possible
Mental effort
- There is frequent requirement for concentration for extended periods of time
- Absolute accuracy and the need for attention to detail require ability to focus and analyse problems.
Emotional effort
- Organising and assisting at viewings for families can be very distressing
- Organising respectful disposal of babies is a difficult and emotional process
- Bereaved relatives can often be difficult and demanding.
Working conditions
- There may be a requirement to work in extremes of heat and cold
- Exposure to unpleasant smells
- Deal with chemical spills
- Exposure to bodily fluids
- Contact with infected bodies
Job description
Job responsibilities
OPERATIONAL DUTIES
- Record deceased details in the Mortuary Register and keep accurate records of deceased property/valuables in line with the trust policy.
- Return deceased property to bereaved relatives if they request removal of items
- To liaise with funeral directors or authorised persons. To be responsible for the release of deceased in line with departmental, Trust and HTA policies, ensuring all appropriate documentation is received/given as appropriate
- Maintain appropriate records within the department mortuary register, post mortem register, equipment servicing, fridge/freezer temperatures, cleaning etc, ensuring compliance with HTA regulations and CPA compliance
- To report any problems, both with the functioning of the mortuary and any unusual occurrences which may have happened out of normal working hours, to the Mortuary Manager
- Complete adverse incident form on line for any accidents, incidents or near misses
- Adhere to departmental SOPs
- Liaise with external agencies including the Coroners office, Police and GPs.
- Liaise with bereavement, chaplaincy, womens health counsellors, nursing and clerical staff across both sites.
- Ensure all Mortuary equipment, such as Hydraulic Lift etc, are kept clean and maintaining of appropriate cleaning/maintenance records in conjunction with Infection Control Standards
- To give mortuary induction training to nursing and portering staff.
To suitably prepare and place deceased adults, children, infants or fetuses for viewing in the Chapel of Rest, special attention given to individual and cultural religious beliefs. To meet and bring family to the mortuary. To accompany family into the viewing room.
- To help with the collection of notes and paperwork from wards and departments for post mortem examinations.
- To show deceased to Drs for medical papers to be completed.
- To take an active role in Health and Safety ensuring safe, and appropriate, working practices within the department for self, employees or other third parties visiting the department or general areas of the Trust
- To be aware of cultural and religious beliefs of the deceased/relatives and respect these, within reason, at all times
- Assists in H&S inspections within the department.
- Actively participate in monthly departmental meetings.
- To maintain confidentiality pertaining to deceased and all trust business.
- To assist external tissue retrieval teams
- To oversee completion of hospital post mortem consent forms by medical and surgical staff and to answer any questions from the bereaved relating to the form.
- Arrange deactivation and/or removal of defibrillators and pacemakers and appropriate disposal.
The collation and distribution of the certificates required for disposal and cremation in liaison with the Bereavement Officers and Coroners Office.
Locating and collecting pre-transfused blood samples on behalf of HM Coroner
Receiving payment from funeral directors in cash or cheque form. Paying Doctors cremation fees.
Liaising with funeral directors, raising cremation forms, free from infection forms and out of England paperwork.
- Assist the bereavement office, if required, such as contacting clinicians, overseeing documentation completed by clinicians such as cremation forms, medical cause of death certificates and free from infection forms.
- To meet and greet bereaved relatives/carers in a sensitive manner.
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL
Prepare the post mortem room and equipment prior to an autopsy.
To assist the medical staff with routine post mortem examinations,
Check the authorisation and extent of the post mortem examination.
Liaise with staff likely to be present during the examination.
Prepare the deceased for examination, under supervision if required.
Assist with post-mortem examinations.
To record organ weights and measurements as required.
- To repair/reconstruct bodies following a post mortem
- To ensure all organs, tissue, blood and other samples are appropriately labelled, recorded and tracked and disposal records maintained
- To disinfect all tools and surfaces once examinations are complete.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
- To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other mortuary information.
- To use the mortuary IT equipment according to the authorised protocols, HTA and CPA standards. This would include consultation with staff and promoting new ways of working, implementing new policies and procedures etc.
GENERAL
Physical skills
- Possible exposure to body tissue and fluids, some of which may be of high risk
- (i.e. Category 3).
- Exposed to COSHH regulated chemicals.
- Technical tasks require periods of intense physical activity and the need to maintain concentration for long periods.
- Work in this area requires frequent exposure to highly distressing and emotive situations.
Freedom to act
- The post holder will organise and prioritise ones own work load without direct supervision. However, a line manager will be available for reference.
- Any issues or problems should be resolved with Supervisor
Physical effort
- Physical effort will be frequently required to handle deceased and move them around.
- Equipment is available and should be used where possible
Mental effort
- There is frequent requirement for concentration for extended periods of time
- Absolute accuracy and the need for attention to detail require ability to focus and analyse problems.
Emotional effort
- Organising and assisting at viewings for families can be very distressing
- Organising respectful disposal of babies is a difficult and emotional process
- Bereaved relatives can often be difficult and demanding.
Working conditions
- There may be a requirement to work in extremes of heat and cold
- Exposure to unpleasant smells
- Deal with chemical spills
- Exposure to bodily fluids
- Contact with infected bodies
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Royal Institute of Public Health (RSPH) Certificate and Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology (or demonstrable equivalent knowledge)
- Good standard of general education
Desirable
- Medical terminology
- GCSE Human Biology
- IT literate
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a mortuary environment
- Experience of working without direct supervision.
- Experience of routine post mortem techniques both adult and perinatal.
- Experience in dealing with bereaved relatives in upsetting and emotive circumstances
Desirable
- Experience of working with the general public, including managing distressing, complex or demanding situations
Knowedge and Skills
Essential
- Understands the importance of compliance to standard operating procedures.
- Knowledge of Health and Safety procedures
- Computer skills, standard level keyboard skills.
- Knowledge and respect for different religious and cultural attitudes.
- Accuracy and attention to detail
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Royal Institute of Public Health (RSPH) Certificate and Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology (or demonstrable equivalent knowledge)
- Good standard of general education
Desirable
- Medical terminology
- GCSE Human Biology
- IT literate
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a mortuary environment
- Experience of working without direct supervision.
- Experience of routine post mortem techniques both adult and perinatal.
- Experience in dealing with bereaved relatives in upsetting and emotive circumstances
Desirable
- Experience of working with the general public, including managing distressing, complex or demanding situations
Knowedge and Skills
Essential
- Understands the importance of compliance to standard operating procedures.
- Knowledge of Health and Safety procedures
- Computer skills, standard level keyboard skills.
- Knowledge and respect for different religious and cultural attitudes.
- Accuracy and attention to detail
Desirable
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
