Job summary
- Looking for x 2 Trainee/Qualified Anatomical Pathology Technologists
- Assisting Mortuary Manager and Deputy with the smooth day-to day running of the mortuary service and will work under their own initiative as required.
- Deputise in the absence of the Deputy Mortuary Manager
- To undertake multi-site working as necessary and to be responsible for the running of the Mortuary and supervision of junior staff
- Responsible for the training and development of the junior mortuary staff member
- Provide an on call service for the Hospital, Organ donation teams, A-E paediatrics and Forensic services (including out of hours) and be available whenever possible for any hospital enquiries.
- To provide transport with the Mortuary Vehicle for Hospital and Coroners cases across multi-sites and public mortuary sites, also paediatric cases to St Georges for Post Mortem.
- Attend A-E paediatrics to help with transport and bereaved families
- Responsible and assist with keeping the mortuary up to date with new HTA regulations and policies
Main duties of the job
You will be working in a well equipped department carrying out a wide range of administrative and technical tasks including the receipt and release of deceased patients within our care, assisting Pathologists in all aspects of post-mortem work for adult and high risk cases, following technical post-mortem procedures, safe manual handling and moving of deceased patients, arranging viewings for relatives and Police services, training and supervising junior members of staff and contributing to maintaining the facilities to the highest standards.
You will function as part of a small, dedicated team, providing high quality support to the Pathologists, Mortuary Manager, Deputy and other qualified and trainee APTs. You will have an additional area of responsibility such as quality, health and safety or training, it is essential for you to hold the level 3 and level 4 diplomas in Anatomical Pathology Technology or experience in a Mortuary or Funeral Directors . A minimum of three GCSE qualifications grades A-C (preferably Mathematics, English and a scientific subject).Knowledge of manual handling is required as the role does require frequent moving of deceased patients.
About us
Croydon Health Services provides integrated NHS services to care for people at home, in schools, and health clinics across the borough as well as at Croydon University Hospital and Purley War Memorial Hospital.
Our values
Professional
- Set ourselves very high standards and share best practice
- Keep our uniforms smart, and be professional and consistent in our approach
- Work in partnership to best support our community's needs
- Use resources wisely without compromising quality or safety
Compassionate
- Treat everyone as we would want to be treated ourselves
- Demonstrate kindness, dignity, empathy and compassion
- Make time for the people we are caring for, to understand their needs and wants
- Organise our services to give people the best possible experience of care
Respectful
- Be courteous and welcoming, and introduce ourselves
- Value the diversity and needs of everyone
- Always involve people in decisions about their care, listening to and respecting their wishes
- Appreciate the contribution that staff from all backgrounds bring to our services
Safe
- Be open and honest in everything we do, sharing what we do well and admitting our mistakes, to constantly improve our care
- Protect the confidentiality of those in our care and show sensitivity to people around us
- Feel free to raise concerns so we are always learningo Make time for training and development and support research so people always receive the highest standards of care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Responsible for the supervision of junior mortuary staff member on a day-to-day basis in all mortuary work
- Undertake a full senior role in the absence of Mortuary Manager and Deputy, including all duties
- Adherence to manual handling and equipment handling policies and procedures
- Ensure admission procedures are followed for the Mortuary including all documentation relating to the controlled storage of the deceased, records of belongings, giving information to bereaved relatives and other services etc. Control of external agencies such as funeral directors with regard to collection times and ensuring safe collection procedures are followed according to Trust and departmental policy and Health and Safety Law
- Execute all post mortem evisceration and dissection techniques and all other duties associated with the preparation of the deceased for post mortem examination. Implement other professional post mortem evisceration and dissection techniques, e.g. brain and spinal cord removal, heart valve and pacemaker, ICD removal etc as required.
- Responsible for the training and supervision of junior mortuary staff in procedures such as High Risk Post Mortems, Brain and Spinal Cord removal, Heart Valve and Pacemaker, ICD removal and reconstruction of deceased as required
- Responsible for the training and supervision of junior mortuary staff in record keeping such as Mortuary Database, Cerner and mortuary documents on a day to day basis
- Have a full understanding of all disinfectants and their appropriate uses and correct concentrations. Ensure hygienic measures are implemented after post mortem examinations.
- Eviscerate, and weigh the organs as required by the attending Histopathologists, bringing any findings of pathological relevance to the attention of the attending Histopathologists. A full knowledge of anatomy and physiology and skills in observation are required to assist the Histopathologists.
- Undertake full and advanced reconstruction procedures after Post Mortem examination. Provide assistance in training and supervision of junior personnel to a high standard
Take and identify post mortem specimens as required and if necessary and ensure their return to the body in accordance with departmental Organ Retention policies and in line with Human Tissue Act (2004) guidelines. Accurate record keeping is mandatory and is essential for this task
- Ensure that personnel observe the correct precautionary procedures and that appropriate equipment is in place and maintained when handling potentially infectious or hazardous cases.
- Responsible for dealing with the removal of radioactive cardiac implants and pacemakers or any other implantable devices
- Responsible for the disinfection and care of instruments and equipment
- Dress and prepare the deceased for photography and viewings. Responsible for training and supervision of junior mortuary staff in all aspects of this procedure
- Assist the Forensic Histopathologist on forensic post mortems and execute post mortem techniques under their instruction as required. This will include full reconstruction after any examination. Liaison with Crime Scene Investigators, Senior Police and Forensic
Histopathologist will be required. Responsible for training and supervision of Junior Mortuary staff personnel in all aspects of this procedure
- Ensure the security and storage of forensic materials are maintained. Ensure relevant record keeping is produced, maintained and updated accordingly
- Maintaining the Mortuary and Post Mortem room in line with guidelines and policies. Responsible in writing and assisting Mortuary Manager and regular review of procedures and protocols regarding COSHH, Infection Control, Risk Assessment and Standard Operating Procedures and ensure that personnel are aware of the documents
- Execute any preparation work required for the presentation of deceased patients in the Viewing Room. Ensure differing religious and cultural beliefs are taken into account. Arrange appointments with families and friends of deceased patients and conduct viewings and formal police identifications as required. This must be in line with Coroners ruling and guidelines on viewing practices
- Liaise and be communicative with: Histopathologists, Coroners Officers; Funeral Directors; Bereavement Office personnel; Chaplaincy and other ministers of religion; Police; Crime Scene Investigators; Tissue Team personnel; Organ Donation institutions; Trust personnel; bereaved relatives and visitors to the mortuary as necessary.
- Observe and obey the Health and Safety Code of Practice of the department. The post holder must be health and safety trained and aware of updates in the law and policy and ensure all staff and users of the department comply with procedure and protocol Responsible and assist with carrying out Health and Safety inspections of the Mortuary environment and equipment. Complete relevant risk assessments in line with Trust policy
- Ensure all procedures, regulations and documentation relating to any deceased patients are adhered to and maintained effectively
- Responsible for ensuring that day-to-day records are kept and the provision of accurate data as required. Both manual and electronic record keeping is essential
- Ensure the secure storage of personal effects, valuables etc. that are removed from the deceased and that relevant record keeping is produced and maintained correctly
- Liaise with Tissue/Eye Bank Services to allow access into the Mortuary out of hours to conduct specialist retrieval techniques on organ/tissue donors
- Participate in the on-call service for emergency and out-of-hours duties, including supporting and shadowing the junior mortuary staff when deemed necessary. These duties may include viewings incurred by deaths in hospital, Coroners viewings, police IDs, and Forensic post mortem examinations and any other appropriate duties
- Provide training provision of Post Mortem examination procedure for personnel within the Mortuary environment
- Informative lectures/tours for internal/external visiting groups including nursing staff, midwives and Police cadets on various topics specific to the group regarding Mortuary procedures and services
- Attend training days for Health Care Assistants and Midwifes to train in mortuary procedures and documents
- Responsible for ensuring that the handling of all deceased persons, organs, tissues and specimens in the department follows the strict guidelines within the Human Tissue Act 2004 and that appropriate and accurate record-keeping is maintained
- Responsible for reporting incidents and take action as necessary according to Trust policy and HTA
- Responsible for keeping stock replenished on a daily basis
- Active role in income generation for the Mortuary
- Monitor Fridge capacity on trust sites
- To enable Police to access the Mortuary and assist in finger printing, undressing and movement, I.D of deceased
- Prepare babies to Leave the trust when transported to another hospital for post mortem
- Check all consent forms regarding Adults and Baby Post Mortems, Pacemaker removal are filled out correctly, if not follow up with clinicians
- Responsible for checking tissue donation consent forms are correct before procedure is performed
- Train hospital site practitioners in mortuary procedures out of hours
- Attend annual trust updates and mandatory training
- Attend courses booked as part of personal development
- To perform specialist techniques Brain and Spinal cord removal, tissue retrieval as required
- Work together with Mortuary Manager and Deputy monitoring and ordering of new equipment and general stock
- Work together with Mortuary Manager and Deputy with researching new consumables/equipment
- Work together with Mortuary Manager, Deputy and Quality Manager in reviewing and changing policies/SOPS writing new ones if needed
Out Of Hours
- To participate in the On-Call out of Hours service for the Coroner/Hospital. To be available to the Coroner/Hospital should there be a Forensic Post Mortem.
- To be available whenever possible to answer hospital enquiries and outside family or Police enquires
- To attend the hospital for Major Incident
- To attend the mortuary out of normal working hours as required.
- Special circumstances only to facilitate official police identifications as required.
- To attend Mortuary to assist in tissue donation services
Specific Additional Responsibilities
Training
- To ensure that all Trust and Departmental Protocols are adhered to and updated and reviewed as necessary
- To maintain and develop skills appropriate to the role by attending appropriate training courses supplied by the trust, HTA, Tissue Donation, AAPT
- Use knowledge and experience to enhance post mortem procedures and techniques on all deceased to include high-risk infectious cases via Diploma standard training and other acquired knowledge
- Participation in the annual PDP process
- Training of junior personnel in the post mortem processes and all mortuary aspects
Health and Safety
- Responsible in safety supervision and to ensure that safe working practices are followed
- To ensure that staff conform to the Health & Safety Code of Practice
- Health and Safety training and awareness of current policy and changes in Health and Safety Law
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Responsible for the supervision of junior mortuary staff member on a day-to-day basis in all mortuary work
- Undertake a full senior role in the absence of Mortuary Manager and Deputy, including all duties
- Adherence to manual handling and equipment handling policies and procedures
- Ensure admission procedures are followed for the Mortuary including all documentation relating to the controlled storage of the deceased, records of belongings, giving information to bereaved relatives and other services etc. Control of external agencies such as funeral directors with regard to collection times and ensuring safe collection procedures are followed according to Trust and departmental policy and Health and Safety Law
- Execute all post mortem evisceration and dissection techniques and all other duties associated with the preparation of the deceased for post mortem examination. Implement other professional post mortem evisceration and dissection techniques, e.g. brain and spinal cord removal, heart valve and pacemaker, ICD removal etc as required.
- Responsible for the training and supervision of junior mortuary staff in procedures such as High Risk Post Mortems, Brain and Spinal Cord removal, Heart Valve and Pacemaker, ICD removal and reconstruction of deceased as required
- Responsible for the training and supervision of junior mortuary staff in record keeping such as Mortuary Database, Cerner and mortuary documents on a day to day basis
- Have a full understanding of all disinfectants and their appropriate uses and correct concentrations. Ensure hygienic measures are implemented after post mortem examinations.
- Eviscerate, and weigh the organs as required by the attending Histopathologists, bringing any findings of pathological relevance to the attention of the attending Histopathologists. A full knowledge of anatomy and physiology and skills in observation are required to assist the Histopathologists.
- Undertake full and advanced reconstruction procedures after Post Mortem examination. Provide assistance in training and supervision of junior personnel to a high standard
Take and identify post mortem specimens as required and if necessary and ensure their return to the body in accordance with departmental Organ Retention policies and in line with Human Tissue Act (2004) guidelines. Accurate record keeping is mandatory and is essential for this task
- Ensure that personnel observe the correct precautionary procedures and that appropriate equipment is in place and maintained when handling potentially infectious or hazardous cases.
- Responsible for dealing with the removal of radioactive cardiac implants and pacemakers or any other implantable devices
- Responsible for the disinfection and care of instruments and equipment
- Dress and prepare the deceased for photography and viewings. Responsible for training and supervision of junior mortuary staff in all aspects of this procedure
- Assist the Forensic Histopathologist on forensic post mortems and execute post mortem techniques under their instruction as required. This will include full reconstruction after any examination. Liaison with Crime Scene Investigators, Senior Police and Forensic
Histopathologist will be required. Responsible for training and supervision of Junior Mortuary staff personnel in all aspects of this procedure
- Ensure the security and storage of forensic materials are maintained. Ensure relevant record keeping is produced, maintained and updated accordingly
- Maintaining the Mortuary and Post Mortem room in line with guidelines and policies. Responsible in writing and assisting Mortuary Manager and regular review of procedures and protocols regarding COSHH, Infection Control, Risk Assessment and Standard Operating Procedures and ensure that personnel are aware of the documents
- Execute any preparation work required for the presentation of deceased patients in the Viewing Room. Ensure differing religious and cultural beliefs are taken into account. Arrange appointments with families and friends of deceased patients and conduct viewings and formal police identifications as required. This must be in line with Coroners ruling and guidelines on viewing practices
- Liaise and be communicative with: Histopathologists, Coroners Officers; Funeral Directors; Bereavement Office personnel; Chaplaincy and other ministers of religion; Police; Crime Scene Investigators; Tissue Team personnel; Organ Donation institutions; Trust personnel; bereaved relatives and visitors to the mortuary as necessary.
- Observe and obey the Health and Safety Code of Practice of the department. The post holder must be health and safety trained and aware of updates in the law and policy and ensure all staff and users of the department comply with procedure and protocol Responsible and assist with carrying out Health and Safety inspections of the Mortuary environment and equipment. Complete relevant risk assessments in line with Trust policy
- Ensure all procedures, regulations and documentation relating to any deceased patients are adhered to and maintained effectively
- Responsible for ensuring that day-to-day records are kept and the provision of accurate data as required. Both manual and electronic record keeping is essential
- Ensure the secure storage of personal effects, valuables etc. that are removed from the deceased and that relevant record keeping is produced and maintained correctly
- Liaise with Tissue/Eye Bank Services to allow access into the Mortuary out of hours to conduct specialist retrieval techniques on organ/tissue donors
- Participate in the on-call service for emergency and out-of-hours duties, including supporting and shadowing the junior mortuary staff when deemed necessary. These duties may include viewings incurred by deaths in hospital, Coroners viewings, police IDs, and Forensic post mortem examinations and any other appropriate duties
- Provide training provision of Post Mortem examination procedure for personnel within the Mortuary environment
- Informative lectures/tours for internal/external visiting groups including nursing staff, midwives and Police cadets on various topics specific to the group regarding Mortuary procedures and services
- Attend training days for Health Care Assistants and Midwifes to train in mortuary procedures and documents
- Responsible for ensuring that the handling of all deceased persons, organs, tissues and specimens in the department follows the strict guidelines within the Human Tissue Act 2004 and that appropriate and accurate record-keeping is maintained
- Responsible for reporting incidents and take action as necessary according to Trust policy and HTA
- Responsible for keeping stock replenished on a daily basis
- Active role in income generation for the Mortuary
- Monitor Fridge capacity on trust sites
- To enable Police to access the Mortuary and assist in finger printing, undressing and movement, I.D of deceased
- Prepare babies to Leave the trust when transported to another hospital for post mortem
- Check all consent forms regarding Adults and Baby Post Mortems, Pacemaker removal are filled out correctly, if not follow up with clinicians
- Responsible for checking tissue donation consent forms are correct before procedure is performed
- Train hospital site practitioners in mortuary procedures out of hours
- Attend annual trust updates and mandatory training
- Attend courses booked as part of personal development
- To perform specialist techniques Brain and Spinal cord removal, tissue retrieval as required
- Work together with Mortuary Manager and Deputy monitoring and ordering of new equipment and general stock
- Work together with Mortuary Manager and Deputy with researching new consumables/equipment
- Work together with Mortuary Manager, Deputy and Quality Manager in reviewing and changing policies/SOPS writing new ones if needed
Out Of Hours
- To participate in the On-Call out of Hours service for the Coroner/Hospital. To be available to the Coroner/Hospital should there be a Forensic Post Mortem.
- To be available whenever possible to answer hospital enquiries and outside family or Police enquires
- To attend the hospital for Major Incident
- To attend the mortuary out of normal working hours as required.
- Special circumstances only to facilitate official police identifications as required.
- To attend Mortuary to assist in tissue donation services
Specific Additional Responsibilities
Training
- To ensure that all Trust and Departmental Protocols are adhered to and updated and reviewed as necessary
- To maintain and develop skills appropriate to the role by attending appropriate training courses supplied by the trust, HTA, Tissue Donation, AAPT
- Use knowledge and experience to enhance post mortem procedures and techniques on all deceased to include high-risk infectious cases via Diploma standard training and other acquired knowledge
- Participation in the annual PDP process
- Training of junior personnel in the post mortem processes and all mortuary aspects
Health and Safety
- Responsible in safety supervision and to ensure that safe working practices are followed
- To ensure that staff conform to the Health & Safety Code of Practice
- Health and Safety training and awareness of current policy and changes in Health and Safety Law
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 5 GCSEs or equivalent qualifications or experience within the funeral/mortuary professions
- Good Knowledge of the requirements of level 3 Certificate and Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology
- Reasonable understanding of IT system & requirements
Desirable
- IT skills
- Cert/Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Level 3
Experience
Essential
- oKnowledge of any Quality Management System
- oExperience of creating or reviewing documents.
- oBasic knowledge of anatomy
- oUnderstanding of creating daily work plans or rosters for self or others
- oKnowledge of customer care
- oExperience of using Microsoft Office
- oKnowledge of HTA regulations
- oKnowledge of current Mortuary practice.
- oKnowledge and experience of routine Hospital Post Mortems, High Risk Post Mortems, Coroner's Post Mortems
- oKnowledge of documentation required after death.
Desirable
- oKnowledge of legislation associated with death and organ retention.
- oKnowledge and understanding of the HTA codes of practice.
- oKnowledge of Best Practice set out by the AAPT.
- oKnowledge of best practice as set out by the HTA
- oKnowledge of tissue and organ retrieval
Skills
Essential
- oData entry and extraction
- oGood communication and interpersonal skills
- oCapable of working as part of a team also using own initiative
- oExcellent eye for detail
- oCapable of working under pressure and multi-tasking
- oAble to prioritise demands and to work under time constraints reassessing and reallocating tasks and to define priorities
- oWorking in a challenging, emotive environment
- oAbility to perform intricate procedures with good hand eye coordination
- oFull UK Driving Licence
- oComputer literate
Desirable
- oBasic Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and procedures as applied in the mortuary
- oAdministration skills
- oCapable of working with minimum supervision
- oTo cope well with responsibility.
- oTo work in accordance with Departmental and Trust protocols.
- oTo develop personal skills and knowledge.
- oTeam leader/Supervisory skills.
- oGood verbal communication skills with ability to be sensitive, tactful and diplomatic
- oAbility to liase effectively with others and surpervise individuals
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 5 GCSEs or equivalent qualifications or experience within the funeral/mortuary professions
- Good Knowledge of the requirements of level 3 Certificate and Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology
- Reasonable understanding of IT system & requirements
Desirable
- IT skills
- Cert/Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Level 3
Experience
Essential
- oKnowledge of any Quality Management System
- oExperience of creating or reviewing documents.
- oBasic knowledge of anatomy
- oUnderstanding of creating daily work plans or rosters for self or others
- oKnowledge of customer care
- oExperience of using Microsoft Office
- oKnowledge of HTA regulations
- oKnowledge of current Mortuary practice.
- oKnowledge and experience of routine Hospital Post Mortems, High Risk Post Mortems, Coroner's Post Mortems
- oKnowledge of documentation required after death.
Desirable
- oKnowledge of legislation associated with death and organ retention.
- oKnowledge and understanding of the HTA codes of practice.
- oKnowledge of Best Practice set out by the AAPT.
- oKnowledge of best practice as set out by the HTA
- oKnowledge of tissue and organ retrieval
Skills
Essential
- oData entry and extraction
- oGood communication and interpersonal skills
- oCapable of working as part of a team also using own initiative
- oExcellent eye for detail
- oCapable of working under pressure and multi-tasking
- oAble to prioritise demands and to work under time constraints reassessing and reallocating tasks and to define priorities
- oWorking in a challenging, emotive environment
- oAbility to perform intricate procedures with good hand eye coordination
- oFull UK Driving Licence
- oComputer literate
Desirable
- oBasic Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and procedures as applied in the mortuary
- oAdministration skills
- oCapable of working with minimum supervision
- oTo cope well with responsibility.
- oTo work in accordance with Departmental and Trust protocols.
- oTo develop personal skills and knowledge.
- oTeam leader/Supervisory skills.
- oGood verbal communication skills with ability to be sensitive, tactful and diplomatic
- oAbility to liase effectively with others and surpervise individuals
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.
