Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and suitably qualified Mortuary assistant to join our Mortuary Team at New Cross Hospital Wolverhampton.
This is a very demanding role and the successful candidate must be able to deal sympathetically with bereaved relatives and be an excellent written and verbal communicator.
The role principally involves the administration management of the deceased patient which includes Adults, Children, Babies and non-viable foetuses, from initial receipt of the details from the Mortuary through to collection by Funeral Directors.
There is a requirement for efficiency, flexibility and accurate record keeping.
Manual Handling of the deceased is part of the Mortuary duties as will preparing the deceased for viewings by relatives and checking the bodies on a frequent basis for any bodily fluid leakages and cleaning the bodies in our preparation room. Pacemakers have to be removed by extraction utilising basic surgical skills.
Applicants must have a minimum of GCSE Mathematics and English or equivalent and a basic Biology or Science-Based qualification.
Although prior experience in the same or related field will be an advantage, the successful applicant will be required to undertake a comprehensive in-house training and competency programme on commencement of employment.
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role they will have in the bereavement pathway and the role of the Mortuary / Body Store in a clinical setting.
Main duties of the job
Routine duties of the Mortuary / Body Store in a supporting role, as part of a team.
R
Receive and identify bodies within the Mortuary. This will involve manual
handling and the operation of body moving equipment. To include Bariatric
patients.
Prepare potentially infectious and leaking bodies
Maintain appropriate Mortuary records demographics of the deceased,
infection risk and the presenceof jewellery / personal items.
Preparation of bodies for viewing, accompany relatives into the Viewing
Room providing support as required and treating them with courtesy and
consideration.
Perform the removal of pacemakers from bodies, utilising basic surgical
skills.
Release of bodies to Funeral Directors.
Arrange for babies and / or placentas to be collected and returned from
Birmingham Women's Hospitalfollowing PM examination.
Deal with telephone calls relating to Mortuary / Body Store service.
Participate in housekeeping duties in the Mortuary.
Dispose of all types of waste in an appropriate manner. This will include
ensuring the disposal of contaminated materials (clinical waste).
Participate in the monitoring of stocks of consumables by alerting a senior
member of staff to any shortfalls. Use resources efficiently and cost
effectively.
Participate in the maintenance and use of Mortuary / Body Store
equipment.
Promptly report any incidents / accidents and near miss occurrences.
About us
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the West Midlands providing primary, acute and community services and we are incredibly proud of the diversity of both our staff and the communities we serve. We are building a workforce that can help us to fulfil our values, improve the quality of care for patients, and solve the health care problems of tomorrow. We're passionate about the value that diversity of thinking and lived experience brings in enabling us to become a learning organisation and leader in delivering compassionate care for our patients.
We are delighted that we have been rated as "Good" by CQC. We have achieved numerous awards; The Nursing Times Best Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Best UK Employer of the Year for Nursing Staff in 2020.
The Trust is a supportive working environment committed to creating flexible working arrangements that suit your needs and as such will consider all requests from applicants who wish to work flexibly.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To participate in the routine duties of the Mortuary / Body Store in a supporting role, as part of a team, under the direction and supervision of the Mortuary / Body Store Supervisor with a Mortuary / Body Store support role ensuring compliance with Trust and Departmental Policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
To receive, identify and measure bodies within the Mortuary / Body Store. This will involve manual handling and the operation of body moving equipment. The post holder would be expected to liaise with Trust Portering staff to ensure that bodies from clinical areas are moved and transferred to storage in appropriate manner. Bodies may be oversize (bariatric) and consequently difficult to handle.
To attend and prepare potentially infectious and leaking bodies e.g. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B / C (Hep B / Hep C), Tuberculosis (TB) etc. in line with all relevant Trust Policies, Procedures and Guidelines.
Maintain appropriate Mortuary / Body Store records including demographics of the deceased, infection risk and the presence or absence of jewellery / personal items.
Preparation of bodies for viewing by making them as presentable as possible in order to limit distress caused to grieving / distressed relatives. Liaise with relatives in order to make viewing arrangements and answer any queries they may have. Accompany relatives, where necessary, into the Viewing Room providing support as required and treating them with courtesy and consideration.
Perform the removal of pacemakers from bodies where necessary. This will entail identification of the device and extraction utilising basic surgical skills whilst limiting the detrimental effect on the appearance of the deceased.
Release of bodies to Funeral Directors ensuring that correct documentation is maintained in line with Trust Policies and Procedures.
To arrange for babies and / or placentas to be collected and returned from Birmingham Womens Hospital NHS Trust following paediatric post mortem examination.
Deal with telephone calls relating to Mortuary / Body Store service.
Liaise with clinical staff needing to view bodies to confirm identification and complete Cremation Forms.
To assist with the quarterly recording and sensitive disposal of non-viable foetal remains.
To collect notes / paperwork from Trust Bereavement Office and other areas of the Trust as required.
To participate in housekeeping duties in the Mortuary / Body Store in order to maintain a clean, tidy and safe working environment.
To dispose of all types of waste in an appropriate manner. This will include ensuring the disposal of contaminated materials (clinical waste).
To participate in the monitoring of stocks of consumables by alerting a senior member of staff to any shortfalls. Use resources efficiently and cost effectively.
Participate in the maintenance and use of Mortuary / Body Store equipment under supervision and in the preparation of reagents as outlined in Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Ensure that reagents are prepared, stored and used according to manufacturer guidelines and in line with Mortuary / Body Store procedures.
Ensure that appropriate preventative maintenance and calibration has been carried out and recorded on Mortuary / Body Store equipment prior to being used as required. Ensure that all equipment failures are recorded in line with Departmental and Trust Policies.
Promptly report any incidents / accidents and near miss occurrences in accordance with Departmental and Trust Policies and Procedures.
Where Mortuary / Body Store activities are low the post holder will be expected to work in the Bereavement Centre depending on the demands of the service and following appropriate training and competency assessment
Job description
Job responsibilities
To participate in the routine duties of the Mortuary / Body Store in a supporting role, as part of a team, under the direction and supervision of the Mortuary / Body Store Supervisor with a Mortuary / Body Store support role ensuring compliance with Trust and Departmental Policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
To receive, identify and measure bodies within the Mortuary / Body Store. This will involve manual handling and the operation of body moving equipment. The post holder would be expected to liaise with Trust Portering staff to ensure that bodies from clinical areas are moved and transferred to storage in appropriate manner. Bodies may be oversize (bariatric) and consequently difficult to handle.
To attend and prepare potentially infectious and leaking bodies e.g. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B / C (Hep B / Hep C), Tuberculosis (TB) etc. in line with all relevant Trust Policies, Procedures and Guidelines.
Maintain appropriate Mortuary / Body Store records including demographics of the deceased, infection risk and the presence or absence of jewellery / personal items.
Preparation of bodies for viewing by making them as presentable as possible in order to limit distress caused to grieving / distressed relatives. Liaise with relatives in order to make viewing arrangements and answer any queries they may have. Accompany relatives, where necessary, into the Viewing Room providing support as required and treating them with courtesy and consideration.
Perform the removal of pacemakers from bodies where necessary. This will entail identification of the device and extraction utilising basic surgical skills whilst limiting the detrimental effect on the appearance of the deceased.
Release of bodies to Funeral Directors ensuring that correct documentation is maintained in line with Trust Policies and Procedures.
To arrange for babies and / or placentas to be collected and returned from Birmingham Womens Hospital NHS Trust following paediatric post mortem examination.
Deal with telephone calls relating to Mortuary / Body Store service.
Liaise with clinical staff needing to view bodies to confirm identification and complete Cremation Forms.
To assist with the quarterly recording and sensitive disposal of non-viable foetal remains.
To collect notes / paperwork from Trust Bereavement Office and other areas of the Trust as required.
To participate in housekeeping duties in the Mortuary / Body Store in order to maintain a clean, tidy and safe working environment.
To dispose of all types of waste in an appropriate manner. This will include ensuring the disposal of contaminated materials (clinical waste).
To participate in the monitoring of stocks of consumables by alerting a senior member of staff to any shortfalls. Use resources efficiently and cost effectively.
Participate in the maintenance and use of Mortuary / Body Store equipment under supervision and in the preparation of reagents as outlined in Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Ensure that reagents are prepared, stored and used according to manufacturer guidelines and in line with Mortuary / Body Store procedures.
Ensure that appropriate preventative maintenance and calibration has been carried out and recorded on Mortuary / Body Store equipment prior to being used as required. Ensure that all equipment failures are recorded in line with Departmental and Trust Policies.
Promptly report any incidents / accidents and near miss occurrences in accordance with Departmental and Trust Policies and Procedures.
Where Mortuary / Body Store activities are low the post holder will be expected to work in the Bereavement Centre depending on the demands of the service and following appropriate training and competency assessment
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE Mathematics and English or equivalent and a basic Biology or science-based qualification
Experience
Essential
- Be able to plan and manage daily workload under supervision and to ensure this is to the required standard of quality
- Have keyboard and basic Information Technology (IT) skills
Desirable
- Understand the role of the Mortuary / Body Store in a clinical setting as part of the bereavement pathway
Communication
Essential
- Able to communicate information accurately, both orally and in writing
- Able to communicate with all users of the service both appropriately and professionally
flexibility
Essential
- Work statutory holidays if required
- Willingness to participate in early and late staffing rotas
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE Mathematics and English or equivalent and a basic Biology or science-based qualification
Experience
Essential
- Be able to plan and manage daily workload under supervision and to ensure this is to the required standard of quality
- Have keyboard and basic Information Technology (IT) skills
Desirable
- Understand the role of the Mortuary / Body Store in a clinical setting as part of the bereavement pathway
Communication
Essential
- Able to communicate information accurately, both orally and in writing
- Able to communicate with all users of the service both appropriately and professionally
flexibility
Essential
- Work statutory holidays if required
- Willingness to participate in early and late staffing rotas
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.
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.
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).
