Job summary
We are looking for a Mortuary Technician who has the experience, skills and knowledge to join our award winning team.
Working as part of the overall Bereavement, Mortuary and Medical Examiner team at Barnet Hospital, we are looking for someone who consistently offers a high standard in their care of the deceased and the bereaved, is a proactive and willing team member and is willing to learn and develop in their role.
Applications are encouraged from those who are passionate about care after death.
Informal visits/discussions welcomed.
Main duties of the job
The post holder is required to:
- Assist in providing an efficient mortuary service and should ensure the department maintains a high standard of care for deceased patient, as well as a high standard of quality in order to maintain compliance with Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPS) UK Ltd and Human Tissue Authority (HTA)
- Perform under limited supervision routine activities within the department and provide assistance to senior staff.
- Provide appropriate advice to clinicians, other visitors to the mortuary and bereaved relatives and friends in respect of care of the deceased
Training in post will be supported.
About us
Royal Free World Class Values
The post holder will offer World Class Care to service users, staff, colleagues, clients and patients alike so that everyone at the Royal Free can feel:
- Welcome all of the time
- Confident because we are clearly communicating
- Respected and cared for
- Reassured that they are always in safe hands
The Bereavement, Mortuary and Medical examiner teams work closely together for the safe care and transfer of all of the deceased people in our care. Clear and kind communication are essential as is being a calm and caring individual to all who you encounter in your role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Maintain a professional behaviour at all times and promote a positive image of Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust at all times, in line with the World Class Care Values.
- Contribute to providing a professional mortuary service, working effectively as a team member as part of the overall department.
- Work as part of the mortuary team and provide a high standard of care for deceased patients within the adult, paediatric and perinatal mortuary serivces.
- To identify, troubleshoot and rectify any issues which may arise in the mortuary department.
- Actively participate in the quality Management System and be familiar with the all Standard Operating Procedures. To produce, personally comply with and ensure other comply with all departmental standard operating procedures and risk assessments.
- To assist the Mortuary Manager in maintaining HTA licence status and maintinaing equipment on a day-to-day basis in accordance with policies/procedures and in accordance with manufacturers guidelines.
- Ensure that rules and agreed guidelines regarding tissue retention and disposal of human tissue are adhered to.
- Facilitate the retrieval of tissues for transplant by exteranl organisations as the need arises and so far as is reasonably practicable.
- Receive telephone calls in an efficient, professional manner.
- RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENTS & THEIR FAMILIES
- Focus on patient and family centred care in the provision of the mortuary service.
- Responsible for dealing with the receipt and relase of all deceased patients, including measuring, checking for vaulables and the condition of patients in accordance with standard operatign procedures.
- To maintain the dignity of deceased patients and an atmosphere of reverence at all times.
- To prepare deceased patients for viewings in accordance with standard operating procedures and taking in to account cultural and religious requirements.
- To maintain a professional and sensitive approach when dealing with distressed relatives in difficult circumstances.
- Ensure relatives visiting the mortuary are treated in a sympathetic and caring manner, taking in to account their cultural and religious requirements.
- To work cohesively with all members of the department team in ensuring that the very best services to patients are provided at all times.
- RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
- To act in accordance with Trust policies such as Infection Prevention and Control, Confidentiality, Health & Safety and Equal Opportunities.
- Actively input into departmental policies and procedures and reinforce their use.
- To work within the contraints of the Human tissue Act and the medico-legal aspects of the Coroners service when handling sensitive information.
- RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES
- Ensure adequate stock control and appropriate use of reagents, consumables and equipment within the working area is maintained.
- Maintain records and receipt of cheques payments from Funeral Directors for cremation fees and confirm signatures and receipt cheques.
- Help the department to identify and meet finance improvement measures.
- RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEADING AND MANAGING
- To supervise visitors, eg. Doctors and other staff, to the mortuary department in close liaison with the Mortuary Manager.
- Undertake duties to assist in the delivery of the Bereavement Service. This will include facilitation of completion of cremation forms, the correct completion of Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and issuing to the bereaved and also provide viewing appointments.
- Record and report all incidents/complaints involving staff, patients and visitors in accordance with Trust policies and assist in any investigations as required.
- RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION RESOURCES
- Maintain record keeping and document control pertaining to the Quality Management Systems in place. Use of IT systems including Q-Pulse, Microsoft Excel and Word to maintain records is expected.
- Organise and facilitate the completion of legal documentation surrounding all aspects of death including all documentation for request for HMC post mortem and informed consent post mortem.
- Maintain all records in relation to retention of specimens in line with HTA guidelines, Coronial and Royal College of Pathologists guidelines.
- RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESERARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
- Assist in any relevant departmental or national research projects, for example obtaining samples.
- Assist in trial of new equipment and instruments.
- COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIP SKILLS
- Communicate and difficulties, problems, accidents or incidents affecting the department to the Mortuary/Service Delivery Manager promptly.
- To liaise with the Police Authority to assist their staff in any investigation as required, including fingerprinting etc.
- Demonstrate working practices to groups and individuals as appropriate.
- Participate in departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.
- Assist in training of personnel from other departments and outside establishments.
- TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITES
- Undertake appropriate training and development so as to comply with the requirements of the Trust.
- Maintain a training/competency record in accordance with departmental standard operating procedures and documentation.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Infection Control
Infection control is everyones responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non clinical, are required to adhere to the Trusts Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures and the Health Act (2006) Code of Practice for the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the risk of Healthcare Associated infections.
It is the duty of every member of staff to take personal responsibility for the prevention and control of infection, as laid down in the Trusts policies and procedures which reflect the statutory requirements of the Hygiene Code.
- To work in close collaboration with the Infection Control Team.
- To assist with the monitoring of clinical practice.
- To assist with the cleaning and maintenance of the department environments to the highest standards; ensuring that shortfalls are rectified, or escalated as necessary.
- To attend infection control-related educational sessions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Maintain a professional behaviour at all times and promote a positive image of Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust at all times, in line with the World Class Care Values.
- Contribute to providing a professional mortuary service, working effectively as a team member as part of the overall department.
- Work as part of the mortuary team and provide a high standard of care for deceased patients within the adult, paediatric and perinatal mortuary serivces.
- To identify, troubleshoot and rectify any issues which may arise in the mortuary department.
- Actively participate in the quality Management System and be familiar with the all Standard Operating Procedures. To produce, personally comply with and ensure other comply with all departmental standard operating procedures and risk assessments.
- To assist the Mortuary Manager in maintaining HTA licence status and maintinaing equipment on a day-to-day basis in accordance with policies/procedures and in accordance with manufacturers guidelines.
- Ensure that rules and agreed guidelines regarding tissue retention and disposal of human tissue are adhered to.
- Facilitate the retrieval of tissues for transplant by exteranl organisations as the need arises and so far as is reasonably practicable.
- Receive telephone calls in an efficient, professional manner.
- RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENTS & THEIR FAMILIES
- Focus on patient and family centred care in the provision of the mortuary service.
- Responsible for dealing with the receipt and relase of all deceased patients, including measuring, checking for vaulables and the condition of patients in accordance with standard operatign procedures.
- To maintain the dignity of deceased patients and an atmosphere of reverence at all times.
- To prepare deceased patients for viewings in accordance with standard operating procedures and taking in to account cultural and religious requirements.
- To maintain a professional and sensitive approach when dealing with distressed relatives in difficult circumstances.
- Ensure relatives visiting the mortuary are treated in a sympathetic and caring manner, taking in to account their cultural and religious requirements.
- To work cohesively with all members of the department team in ensuring that the very best services to patients are provided at all times.
- RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
- To act in accordance with Trust policies such as Infection Prevention and Control, Confidentiality, Health & Safety and Equal Opportunities.
- Actively input into departmental policies and procedures and reinforce their use.
- To work within the contraints of the Human tissue Act and the medico-legal aspects of the Coroners service when handling sensitive information.
- RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES
- Ensure adequate stock control and appropriate use of reagents, consumables and equipment within the working area is maintained.
- Maintain records and receipt of cheques payments from Funeral Directors for cremation fees and confirm signatures and receipt cheques.
- Help the department to identify and meet finance improvement measures.
- RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEADING AND MANAGING
- To supervise visitors, eg. Doctors and other staff, to the mortuary department in close liaison with the Mortuary Manager.
- Undertake duties to assist in the delivery of the Bereavement Service. This will include facilitation of completion of cremation forms, the correct completion of Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and issuing to the bereaved and also provide viewing appointments.
- Record and report all incidents/complaints involving staff, patients and visitors in accordance with Trust policies and assist in any investigations as required.
- RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION RESOURCES
- Maintain record keeping and document control pertaining to the Quality Management Systems in place. Use of IT systems including Q-Pulse, Microsoft Excel and Word to maintain records is expected.
- Organise and facilitate the completion of legal documentation surrounding all aspects of death including all documentation for request for HMC post mortem and informed consent post mortem.
- Maintain all records in relation to retention of specimens in line with HTA guidelines, Coronial and Royal College of Pathologists guidelines.
- RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESERARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
- Assist in any relevant departmental or national research projects, for example obtaining samples.
- Assist in trial of new equipment and instruments.
- COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIP SKILLS
- Communicate and difficulties, problems, accidents or incidents affecting the department to the Mortuary/Service Delivery Manager promptly.
- To liaise with the Police Authority to assist their staff in any investigation as required, including fingerprinting etc.
- Demonstrate working practices to groups and individuals as appropriate.
- Participate in departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.
- Assist in training of personnel from other departments and outside establishments.
- TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITES
- Undertake appropriate training and development so as to comply with the requirements of the Trust.
- Maintain a training/competency record in accordance with departmental standard operating procedures and documentation.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Infection Control
Infection control is everyones responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non clinical, are required to adhere to the Trusts Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures and the Health Act (2006) Code of Practice for the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the risk of Healthcare Associated infections.
It is the duty of every member of staff to take personal responsibility for the prevention and control of infection, as laid down in the Trusts policies and procedures which reflect the statutory requirements of the Hygiene Code.
- To work in close collaboration with the Infection Control Team.
- To assist with the monitoring of clinical practice.
- To assist with the cleaning and maintenance of the department environments to the highest standards; ensuring that shortfalls are rectified, or escalated as necessary.
- To attend infection control-related educational sessions.
Person Specification
Royal Free World Class Values
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values
Education & professional Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of literacy and numeracy skills to GCSE C or equivalent
- Committed to own personal development and evidence of regular attendance at training days
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working with patients in a hospital environment
- Previous experience of team work
Desirable
- Previous experience of mortuary work
Person Specification
Royal Free World Class Values
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values
Education & professional Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of literacy and numeracy skills to GCSE C or equivalent
- Committed to own personal development and evidence of regular attendance at training days
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working with patients in a hospital environment
- Previous experience of team work
Desirable
- Previous experience of mortuary work
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).
