Job summary
Two trainee Mortuary & Bereavement Support Assistant posts have arisen within the Mortuaries at the Bedford Hospital NHS Trust; these are Band 2 to 3 progression posts.
They are cross-site posts; working at both Bedford Hospital & the Luton & Dunstable Hospital.
They will also be given on the job training in NHS administrative systems, admission, patient information systems and hospital departments. Depending on your progress there will be the option to undertake an approved course for the level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology. This will involve the requirement to occasionally attend offsite facility for completion of exams, a commitment to study both at work and in your own time and the completion of a portfolio.
There are over 2,500 admissions per annum, with approximately 550 post mortem examinations. Bedford site deals with all Forensic cases and is in piloting a PM CT service for the county of Bedfordshire.
We are a small dedicated team of ten staff delivering the Mortuary & Bereavement Service to the hospitals and our community, promoting the Trusts' THRIVE values.
The successful applicant will have a sympathetic and respectable mature attitude and be vigilant of strict confidentiality required for this role. You will need an understanding of and respect for the requirements of the diverse population of Bedfordshire.
Main duties of the job
Assisting the Mortuary & Bereavement (MABS) Office Team in co-ordinating the day to day functions of the MABS
Carrying out the administrative procedures required.
Assist in providing correct, informative, support & advice to bereaved relatives.
Assists with preparing deceased for Post Mortem, viewings & identifications
Contribute to maintaining a high quality service.
Provide comprehensive and clear information, advice & practical support to patients, bereaved families about procedures following death.
Support the MABS Team in ensuring that documentation used by the service is consistent and of a high quality.
Comply with Policies and Procedures, comment on existing policies.
Ensure the Deceased Patient Check List is completed.
Maintains computer and written records .
Assists with maintaining stock supplies in the Mortuary.
Attends departmental meetings.
To assist with admissions and discharges deceased persons to/from the Mortuary.
Performs routine cleaning & maintenance schedules .
Responsible for the safe use of equipment within the Mortuary.
Participates in internal quality control and external quality assurance.
Ensure the relevant, up to date written information is available.
Ensure that care and support provided is culturally sensitive and respects the religious needs.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.
Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job description
Job responsibilities
It is expected that the Band 2 post holder will achieve the relevant competencies within the training programme to proceed to Band 3 within 18 24 months.
1. To assist the Site MABS manager in the investigation and resolution of discrepancies
2. To update and maintain department stock supplies with support from the Site MABS manager
3. To admit and release deceased persons to/from the Mortuary on completion of training and competency logs
4. To be responsible for preparing the deceased for the purpose of viewing on completion of training and competency logs
5. To work towards completion of the Anatomical Pathology Technology Level 3 certificate
6. Assist with the induction training of new staff
7. To support the MABS team with the implementation of new processes for service development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
It is expected that the Band 2 post holder will achieve the relevant competencies within the training programme to proceed to Band 3 within 18 24 months.
1. To assist the Site MABS manager in the investigation and resolution of discrepancies
2. To update and maintain department stock supplies with support from the Site MABS manager
3. To admit and release deceased persons to/from the Mortuary on completion of training and competency logs
4. To be responsible for preparing the deceased for the purpose of viewing on completion of training and competency logs
5. To work towards completion of the Anatomical Pathology Technology Level 3 certificate
6. Assist with the induction training of new staff
7. To support the MABS team with the implementation of new processes for service development.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of good level of education to include GCSE grade C in Mathematics and English or equivalent
Desirable
- Knowledge of windows and excel NVQ Level 3 or equivalent level experience
Experience
Essential
- Customer/patient facing experience Experience of working to deadlines and managing own workload to meet the needs of a service Experience of working within a team Able to work alone
Desirable
- Experience of a secondary care environment Experience in a Healthcare setting
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the need for confidentiality awareness at all times. Able to empathise with people
Desirable
- Knowledge of NHS administrative systems, admission, patient information systems, hospital departments, clerical / office procedures, data input procedures
Personal Skills
Essential
- Attention to detail and accuracy Excellent soft people skills Able to work well under pressure Open and Honest nature
Desirable
- Can demonstrate personal resilience
Other
Essential
- Standard keyboard skills Accurate at inputting data Problem-solving skills Able to cope with an occasional requirement for physical effort and lifting of objects (5kg or over) Able to work alone and make decisions to commensurate within responsibilities of the role
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of good level of education to include GCSE grade C in Mathematics and English or equivalent
Desirable
- Knowledge of windows and excel NVQ Level 3 or equivalent level experience
Experience
Essential
- Customer/patient facing experience Experience of working to deadlines and managing own workload to meet the needs of a service Experience of working within a team Able to work alone
Desirable
- Experience of a secondary care environment Experience in a Healthcare setting
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the need for confidentiality awareness at all times. Able to empathise with people
Desirable
- Knowledge of NHS administrative systems, admission, patient information systems, hospital departments, clerical / office procedures, data input procedures
Personal Skills
Essential
- Attention to detail and accuracy Excellent soft people skills Able to work well under pressure Open and Honest nature
Desirable
- Can demonstrate personal resilience
Other
Essential
- Standard keyboard skills Accurate at inputting data Problem-solving skills Able to cope with an occasional requirement for physical effort and lifting of objects (5kg or over) Able to work alone and make decisions to commensurate within responsibilities of the role
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).
