Job summary
The mortuary service at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is looking for degree graduates with a biological or forensic degree who wish to start a career in anatomical pathology.
To qualify as an anatomical pathology technologist you will need to complete the RSPH level 3 diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology. We encourage staff to continue their training with the level 4 diploma to become specialist anatomical pathology technologists. Both qualifications are supported by the Trust.
Candidates need a flexible approach to work with a positive attitude and ability to cope with the varied and demanding work supporting end of life care
Successful candidates will participate in cross site working and when trained participate in an on call out of hours service.
Main duties of the job
To work as part of a team to assist in the provision of both paediatric ad adult mortuary services -
- assist in the preparation of the bodies for post-mortem
- assist pathologists during post-mortem examination
- perform receipt and release of deceased
- liaise with internal and external colleagues associated with end of life care e.g. porters, clinical staff, pathologists, funeral directors, bereavement team
To undertake training to for the Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Science (Anatomical Pathology Technology) and develop expertise in paediatric post-mortem services.
About us
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. Find out more here www.ouh.nhs.uk
The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.
Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call thisDelivering Compassionate Excellenceand its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via theOUH YouTube channel.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder, under supervision, will be expected to carry out the following duties according to the appropriate Standard Operating Procedures and ensuring Health and Safety guidance is followed.
Clinical Practice
- Receive and record the receipt of cadavers from wards and other sources.
- Undress cadavers as required and place in refrigerator, using mechanical hoist when possible.
- Safeguard any property and valuables accompanying the cadaver in line with Trust and Coroners procedures.
- Assist in the preparation of cadavers for post-mortem examination, assisting the pathologist as required during the examination, always having due regard for the dignity of the deceased and any constraints imposed by the relatives consent to post-mortem.
- Assist in the removal of tissues or organs for use in diagnosis, medical education, or research, or for medico-legal investigations, preserving samples in formaldehyde if required.
- Replace organs and restore the external structure of the cadaver by suturing.
- Liaise with undertakers and record the release and removal of cadavers (and property) from hospital premises, ensuring compliance with all necessary paperwork (local release consent forms; Coroners Burial Certificate, Certificate E, Interim Death Certificate, or Out of England Certificate; Registrars Form 9; Cremation Certificates B and C; Free from Infection Certificate)
- Participate in the preparation of disinfectants in accordance and perform routine decontamination and cleaning of the post-mortem rooms, refrigerators, and their environs.
- Help to monitor the adequacy of resources and equipment, reporting any deficiencies to the designated Senior Mortuary Technician.
- Despatch biological samples to testing laboratories ensuring that sample packaging is compliant with specimen transport guidelines.
Management and organisational role
- Communicate with other members of the team, demonstrating good work relations with all members of staff to promote effective team working.
- Liaise with hospital officers and porter staff to facilitate viewing of cadavers by relatives and others.
- Liaise with designated officers of HM Coroner and visiting police personnel.
- Be aware of Clinical Governance, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and local Health and Safety polices, reporting problems, errors, or breaches to the senior staff.
- Assist with work required to maintain UKAS accreditation.
- Attend departmental and Trust-wide staff meetings as appropriate.
- Demonstrate an awareness of, and compliance with, health and safety regulations, the Data Protection Act and Standard Operating Procedures.
- Treats everyone associated with the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with courtesy and respect.
Information Technology Role
- Display and maintain an appropriate level of IT skills, in order to input patient and post-mortem data, maintain and amend patient records and interrogate the post-mortem databases.
- Perform a range of administrative tasks in the mortuary as required. This includes retrieval and disposal of specimens and data, maintenance of associated records and the collection of data for audits.
Professional development and Education
- Undertake suitable study to gain the Level 3 Diploma of Anatomical Pathology Technology
- Attend mandatory training sessions required by the Trust.
- Attend any areas of further development as suggested in their Personal Development Plan (PDP)
- Attend regular appraisal, maintain competence levels within the Department and assists in own personal and professional development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder, under supervision, will be expected to carry out the following duties according to the appropriate Standard Operating Procedures and ensuring Health and Safety guidance is followed.
Clinical Practice
- Receive and record the receipt of cadavers from wards and other sources.
- Undress cadavers as required and place in refrigerator, using mechanical hoist when possible.
- Safeguard any property and valuables accompanying the cadaver in line with Trust and Coroners procedures.
- Assist in the preparation of cadavers for post-mortem examination, assisting the pathologist as required during the examination, always having due regard for the dignity of the deceased and any constraints imposed by the relatives consent to post-mortem.
- Assist in the removal of tissues or organs for use in diagnosis, medical education, or research, or for medico-legal investigations, preserving samples in formaldehyde if required.
- Replace organs and restore the external structure of the cadaver by suturing.
- Liaise with undertakers and record the release and removal of cadavers (and property) from hospital premises, ensuring compliance with all necessary paperwork (local release consent forms; Coroners Burial Certificate, Certificate E, Interim Death Certificate, or Out of England Certificate; Registrars Form 9; Cremation Certificates B and C; Free from Infection Certificate)
- Participate in the preparation of disinfectants in accordance and perform routine decontamination and cleaning of the post-mortem rooms, refrigerators, and their environs.
- Help to monitor the adequacy of resources and equipment, reporting any deficiencies to the designated Senior Mortuary Technician.
- Despatch biological samples to testing laboratories ensuring that sample packaging is compliant with specimen transport guidelines.
Management and organisational role
- Communicate with other members of the team, demonstrating good work relations with all members of staff to promote effective team working.
- Liaise with hospital officers and porter staff to facilitate viewing of cadavers by relatives and others.
- Liaise with designated officers of HM Coroner and visiting police personnel.
- Be aware of Clinical Governance, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and local Health and Safety polices, reporting problems, errors, or breaches to the senior staff.
- Assist with work required to maintain UKAS accreditation.
- Attend departmental and Trust-wide staff meetings as appropriate.
- Demonstrate an awareness of, and compliance with, health and safety regulations, the Data Protection Act and Standard Operating Procedures.
- Treats everyone associated with the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with courtesy and respect.
Information Technology Role
- Display and maintain an appropriate level of IT skills, in order to input patient and post-mortem data, maintain and amend patient records and interrogate the post-mortem databases.
- Perform a range of administrative tasks in the mortuary as required. This includes retrieval and disposal of specimens and data, maintenance of associated records and the collection of data for audits.
Professional development and Education
- Undertake suitable study to gain the Level 3 Diploma of Anatomical Pathology Technology
- Attend mandatory training sessions required by the Trust.
- Attend any areas of further development as suggested in their Personal Development Plan (PDP)
- Attend regular appraisal, maintain competence levels within the Department and assists in own personal and professional development.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in a biological / forensic science
Experience and knowledge
Desirable
- Previous mortuary / funeral director experience
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Basic keyboard skills, e.g. Microsoft word, Excel
- Self motivated
Desirable
- IT qualification e.g. ECDL
Other
Essential
- Reside within a reasonable travelling distance of the main mortuary site
Desirable
- Car owner
- Clean driving licence
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in a biological / forensic science
Experience and knowledge
Desirable
- Previous mortuary / funeral director experience
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Basic keyboard skills, e.g. Microsoft word, Excel
- Self motivated
Desirable
- IT qualification e.g. ECDL
Other
Essential
- Reside within a reasonable travelling distance of the main mortuary site
Desirable
- Car owner
- Clean driving licence
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.
