King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Mortuary Assistant (fixed term)

The closing date is 04 November 2025

Job summary

This post is to carry out duties associated with the mortuary at King's College Hospital Denmark Hill in particular to cover the surge in deaths over winter.

The post holder will participate in the provision of a quality service for the storage and examination of deceased prior to release for funeral, ensuring that all work is compliant with Mortuary standard operating procedures and performed to accredited standards.

The post holder will be involved in the smooth running of the office, post mortem room and body store. The post holder will need to liaise with various grades of staff including funeral directors, pathologists, clinicians, coroner's officers, police, laboratory staff, medical staff and other healthcare professionals both internal and external to the Trust.

The post holder will undertake a large amount of manual handling and will also be directly handling deceased patients as well as taking part in cleaning and housekeeping of the mortuary and body stores.

Main duties of the job

Assist the rest of the mortuary and bereavement team with day to day tasks. This includes but is not limited to; receipt and release of patients; setting up visits; taking and making phone calls; recording information on the local system (Eden); searching for information on the hospital system; liaising with wards; cleaning; checking patients who have been in our care for longer than a week.

About us

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Details

Date posted

21 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£30,546 to £32,207 a year per annum, including high cost area

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

213-Division-A-7558559

Job locations

Denmark hill

London

SE5 9RS


Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To participate in the daily workload of the mortuary adhering to departmental protocols.

2. Assist with cleaning of equipment and working areas

3. To keep accurate records

4. Ensure that any visitors to the mortuary area are treated in a sympathetic and caring manner

5. Responsible for the accuracy of data within the mortuary area to ensure both electronic and manual records are maintained.

6. To ensure office administrative tasks are completed promptly

7. Release and receipt of patients

8. Assist with telephone calls and enquiries promptly, efficiently and sensitively, following mortuary procedures.

9. To complete data entry required for the day to day running of the mortuary department

10. Liaise and communicate with various individuals and organisations concerned with the work of the mortuary both within and outside the Trust

11. To liaise with all staff, students and others who are present at post mortem examination.

12. Assist with the preparation for deceased patients ready for visits

13. To assist with equipment maintenance required as necessary

14. To help ensure that the mortuary is at all times secure

15. It is the responsibility of every member of staff to ensure that he/she is conversant with safety procedures in the department and work in line with the Health and Safety Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures.

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To participate in the daily workload of the mortuary adhering to departmental protocols.

2. Assist with cleaning of equipment and working areas

3. To keep accurate records

4. Ensure that any visitors to the mortuary area are treated in a sympathetic and caring manner

5. Responsible for the accuracy of data within the mortuary area to ensure both electronic and manual records are maintained.

6. To ensure office administrative tasks are completed promptly

7. Release and receipt of patients

8. Assist with telephone calls and enquiries promptly, efficiently and sensitively, following mortuary procedures.

9. To complete data entry required for the day to day running of the mortuary department

10. Liaise and communicate with various individuals and organisations concerned with the work of the mortuary both within and outside the Trust

11. To liaise with all staff, students and others who are present at post mortem examination.

12. Assist with the preparation for deceased patients ready for visits

13. To assist with equipment maintenance required as necessary

14. To help ensure that the mortuary is at all times secure

15. It is the responsibility of every member of staff to ensure that he/she is conversant with safety procedures in the department and work in line with the Health and Safety Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures.

Person Specification

Criteria needed

Essential

  • Computer literacy and ability to use common software
  • Awareness of bereavement, cultural and religious needs
  • High level of attention to detail
  • Fit and well enough to undertake strenuous manual handling activities, such as moving deceased patients

Desirable

  • Experience of viewing or handling human tissue or bodies
  • Previous NHS experience
  • Ability to deal sensitively with bereaved relatives
Person Specification

Criteria needed

Essential

  • Computer literacy and ability to use common software
  • Awareness of bereavement, cultural and religious needs
  • High level of attention to detail
  • Fit and well enough to undertake strenuous manual handling activities, such as moving deceased patients

Desirable

  • Experience of viewing or handling human tissue or bodies
  • Previous NHS experience
  • Ability to deal sensitively with bereaved relatives

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Denmark hill

London

SE5 9RS


Employer's website

https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Denmark hill

London

SE5 9RS


Employer's website

https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Service Lead

Holly Wells

h.wells1@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

21 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£30,546 to £32,207 a year per annum, including high cost area

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

213-Division-A-7558559

Job locations

Denmark hill

London

SE5 9RS


Supporting documents

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