Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Mortuary Service Manager to lead the delivery of safe, dignified, and efficient mortuary services within our NHS Trust. You will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the mortuary, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, professional standards, and Trust policies.In this pivotal role, you will oversee a team of skilled staff, providing leadership, training, and support to maintain the highest standards of care for the deceased and their families. You will liaise closely with clinical teams, bereavement services, coroners, funeral directors, and external agencies to ensure smooth processes and sensitive communication.
Main duties of the job
The Mortuary Service Manager will oversee the safe, respectful, and efficient operation of the hospital mortuary, ensuring compliance with all legal, professional, and Trust requirements. You will manage post-mortem arrangements, maintain accurate records, and ensure the facility, equipment, and processes meet the highest standards. Leading a team of mortuary staff, you will provide compassionate leadership, foster professional development, and uphold dignity in all aspects of care for the deceased and their families. The role also involves close liaison with pathologists, coroners, bereavement services, and external agencies, alongside contributing to service improvements and ensuring robust health, safety, and infection control practices.
About us
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row.
UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff To find out more, visit: Flexible working.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row.
UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff To find out more, visit: Flexible working.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?
Person Specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
- Hold Diploma in Anatomical Pathology from RIPHH.
- Demonstrate an awareness of developments in specialty being applied for
- Awareness of role within a Mortuary
Experience
Essential
- Have at least 5 years post-qualification experience in a mortuary and proficiency in mortuary techniques
- Experience of working as part of a team and of training others in the practical aspects of the work.
- Experience of using a Laboratory Information System
- Experience of staff supervision and management
- Experience of staff appraisal and recruitment and selection
- Experience in operating mortuary equipment according to manufacturer's guidelines
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to communicate efficiently with other members of the department both verbally and in writing in English.
- Demonstrate good Interpersonal and relationship skills -ability to deal with bereaved relatives in a sympathetic manner and with Funeral Directors in a firm professional manner.
- Ability to work accurately, neatly and efficiently. Attention to detail is very important.
- Demonstrate IT literacy eg with Microsoft Office Suite as well as Trust IT systems
- Have good hand-eye co-ordination/manual dexterity skills.
Values
Essential
- Demonstrate ability to meet Trust Values of safety, kindness, teamwork and improving
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to liaise, negotiate and influence effectively at Divisional management and all senior levels.
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills with ability to motivate and engage individuals and teams
- Demonstrable experience of communicating effectively and appropriately with patients
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Proven experience in effective management of budget and effective leadership of staff.
Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Demonstrate understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties
Ensure the risk of infection to self, colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors is minimised by:
Essential
- Being familiar with, and adhering to Trust policies and guidance on infection prevention and control.
- Completing all required training and education (both via e -learning and face to face) on infection prevention and control.
- Including infection prevention and control as an integral part of your continuous personal/professional development and included in your annual appraisal
- Taking personal responsibility so far as is reasonably practicable, in helping ensure that effective prevention and control of health care associated infections is embedded into everyday practice and applied consistently.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to be painstaking and dexterous and have good hand-eye co-ordination
Other requirements, including:
Essential
- Requirement to handle bodies and transfer from the store to the PM room and back
- Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
- Hold Diploma in Anatomical Pathology from RIPHH.
- Demonstrate an awareness of developments in specialty being applied for
- Awareness of role within a Mortuary
Experience
Essential
- Have at least 5 years post-qualification experience in a mortuary and proficiency in mortuary techniques
- Experience of working as part of a team and of training others in the practical aspects of the work.
- Experience of using a Laboratory Information System
- Experience of staff supervision and management
- Experience of staff appraisal and recruitment and selection
- Experience in operating mortuary equipment according to manufacturer's guidelines
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to communicate efficiently with other members of the department both verbally and in writing in English.
- Demonstrate good Interpersonal and relationship skills -ability to deal with bereaved relatives in a sympathetic manner and with Funeral Directors in a firm professional manner.
- Ability to work accurately, neatly and efficiently. Attention to detail is very important.
- Demonstrate IT literacy eg with Microsoft Office Suite as well as Trust IT systems
- Have good hand-eye co-ordination/manual dexterity skills.
Values
Essential
- Demonstrate ability to meet Trust Values of safety, kindness, teamwork and improving
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to liaise, negotiate and influence effectively at Divisional management and all senior levels.
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills with ability to motivate and engage individuals and teams
- Demonstrable experience of communicating effectively and appropriately with patients
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Proven experience in effective management of budget and effective leadership of staff.
Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Demonstrate understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties
Ensure the risk of infection to self, colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors is minimised by:
Essential
- Being familiar with, and adhering to Trust policies and guidance on infection prevention and control.
- Completing all required training and education (both via e -learning and face to face) on infection prevention and control.
- Including infection prevention and control as an integral part of your continuous personal/professional development and included in your annual appraisal
- Taking personal responsibility so far as is reasonably practicable, in helping ensure that effective prevention and control of health care associated infections is embedded into everyday practice and applied consistently.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to be painstaking and dexterous and have good hand-eye co-ordination
Other requirements, including:
Essential
- Requirement to handle bodies and transfer from the store to the PM room and back
- Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
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).
Employer details
Employer name
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
University College London Hospital
235 Euston Road
London
NW1 2BU
Employer's website
https://www.uclh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
