Job summary
An exciting job opportunity has arisen at UHBW Mortuary services. We are looking for a Qualified Anatomical Pathology Technician Level 4 or Diploma to take the position of Deputy Mortuary Manager based at Weston covering sites for Adult and Children's Mortuaries at Bristol.
The post holder will Deputise for the Mortuary Manager and be responsible for the Mortuary sites in their absence. The successful candidate must have a sound knowledge of Human Tissue Authority Regulations provide a safe, secure, effective, and comprehensive service to meet the needs of the hospital and ensure that deceased patients and their families are always treated with dignity and respect.
This post will be based at Weston General Hospital, but the successful candidate will be expected to work cross sites (Bristol) when needed. See Job Description for details of main duties and responsibilities.The postholder will be required to participate in a 1 in 3 24/7 on call rota.
This job advert may close early if a sufficient number of suitable applications have been submitted
Main duties of the job
Job Summary
The postholder will support and manage the day-to-day operations and staff supervision across both the WGH and BRI Mortuary sites. They will provide specialist theoretical and practical expertise to ensure that all mortuary activities are delivered safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with Human Tissue Authority (HTA) regulations and Trust policies.
Main Duties and Responsibilities -
Plan, coordinate, and supervise mortuary operations across multiple sites under the direction of the Mortuary Manager.
-
Support the implementation, review, and continuous improvement of mortuary protocols, policies, and standard operating procedures.
-
Ensure compliance with all statutory and licensing requirements under the Human Tissue Act, maintaining the highest standards of practice and record keeping.
-
Monitor and support staff performance, fostering a professional, compassionate, and efficient working environment.
-
Attend departmental and management meetings, leading discussions in the Mortuary Manager's absence and contributing to service planning and development.
-
Promote effective communication and collaboration between mortuary sites and other departments to ensure service continuity and quality.
-
Ensure mortuary services remain flexible, efficient, and responsive to changing operational demands.
The role requires emotional resilience and the ability to maintain a calm, mature, and compassionate approach while performing all duties.
About us
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description attached to this vacancy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description attached to this vacancy.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Hold the Level 3 & 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology
- Be registered with AHCS (Academy of Healthcare Sciences)
- Be a member of the AAPT (Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology)
- Evidence of CPD
Desirable
- Management/Leadership Training
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- In depth knowledge and experience of HTA standards and regulations
- Knowledge and expertise in Anatomical Pathology Technology
- Experience of Organising and leading training of junior staff and other clinical staff
- Experience of working with the public and bereaved relatives, in a highly emotive and sensitive environment
- Extensive relevant experience of working within a hospital mortuary, including, hazardous implants removal understanding medical information, training, experience mentoring staff, dealing with families and other service users
- Knowledge of the legal implications surrounding obtaining consent for postmortems organ retention, organ donation and disposal of human remains.
- Quality Management, document control and auditing experience
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Empathetic skills in dealing with the bereaved
- High level of keyboard skills
- Analytical and judgemental skills in evaluating complex ranges of issues including but not limited to Quality and Service Development
- Excellent time management skills with the ability to deal with a number of conflicting priorities in a calm and professional manner working to demanding timescales
- Ability to use own initiative to improve process and procedures
Desirable
- Writing Standard Operating Procedures and training programme for new staff
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Hold the Level 3 & 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology
- Be registered with AHCS (Academy of Healthcare Sciences)
- Be a member of the AAPT (Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology)
- Evidence of CPD
Desirable
- Management/Leadership Training
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- In depth knowledge and experience of HTA standards and regulations
- Knowledge and expertise in Anatomical Pathology Technology
- Experience of Organising and leading training of junior staff and other clinical staff
- Experience of working with the public and bereaved relatives, in a highly emotive and sensitive environment
- Extensive relevant experience of working within a hospital mortuary, including, hazardous implants removal understanding medical information, training, experience mentoring staff, dealing with families and other service users
- Knowledge of the legal implications surrounding obtaining consent for postmortems organ retention, organ donation and disposal of human remains.
- Quality Management, document control and auditing experience
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Empathetic skills in dealing with the bereaved
- High level of keyboard skills
- Analytical and judgemental skills in evaluating complex ranges of issues including but not limited to Quality and Service Development
- Excellent time management skills with the ability to deal with a number of conflicting priorities in a calm and professional manner working to demanding timescales
- Ability to use own initiative to improve process and procedures
Desirable
- Writing Standard Operating Procedures and training programme for new staff
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
Address
Weston General Hospital
Grange Road
Weston super Mare
BS23 4TQ
Employer's website
https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
