Job summary
We have a rare opportunity to join our friendly mortuary team at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and University Hospital Lewisham at a time of change and expansion. Lewisham and Greenwich Trust (LGT) operate two mortuaries from each of our acute sites. We currently have posts on both sites, you'll work in partnership with both mortuary teams.
We are seeking a compassionate individual who is able to communicate with a range of people, work safely performing routine activities under minimal supervision and support senior members of staff.
The post holder will work with the Anatomical Pathology Technologist in the running of a safe, secure, effective and comprehensive mortuary service at the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust.
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post
Main duties of the job
Whilst based at your primary site, you will be expected to work across sites, as required, receiving and releasing deceased patients, preparing deceased for viewing and general disinfection and cleaning of all the mortuary areas.
Other duties will include liaising with and assisting funeral directors, coroner's personnel, police officers, doctors and trust personnel in business with the mortuary, and relatives or friends of the deceased wishing to attend the mortuary viewing facilities.
About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
- Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
- Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
- Improving the experience of staff with disability
- Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
- Making equalities mainstream
Job description
Job responsibilities
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post
Job Summary:
The post Holder will work with the Anatomical Pathology Technologist in the running of a safe, secure, effective and comprehensive mortuary service for the needs of LGT.
They will be expected to work across sites receiving and releasing deceased patients, preparing deceased for viewing; general disinfection and cleaning of all the mortuary areas.
Other duties will include liaising with and assisting funeral directors, coroners personnel, police officers, doctors and trust personnel in business with the mortuary, and relatives or friends of the deceased wishing to attend the mortuary viewing facilities.
- Key Result Areas:
1.1 Mortuary
- Participate in the receipt and release of the deceased as necessary, including ensuring adequate identification of the deceased patient is always maintained, and that valuables and belongings are logged and stored according to standard protocol.
- Organise and participate in viewings and formal identifications with relatives of the deceased, liaising with the bereavement team, the maternity department and other trust staff and service users.
- Follow strict health and safety principles when handling the deceased, particularly when handling bodies which have deteriorated.
- Assist Anatomical Pathology Technologist in cases where x-rays are required, such as babies or suspicious deaths.
- Participate in the requirements for tissue donation as requested through the appropriate organisations.
- Supervise visitors, ensuring safe working practices and adherence to policies, protocols and procedures at all times.
- Ensure visitors to the mortuary have adequate information to enable them to carry out their duties safely and effectively.
- Clean and disinfect all areas of the mortuary according to standard procedure.
- Participate in the procedure for dignified disposal of foetal remains according to Trust Policy.
- Maintain awareness of and adhere to all cleansing and disinfection procedures and protocols.
- Ensure the deceased are handled in a safe manner and according to the Trust moving and handling policy. Always risk assess prior to lifting, and seek help where required.
- Comply with infection prevention and control procedures at all times.
- Provide assistance to Anatomical Pathology Technologist and Crime Scene Officers in examining, photographing and fingerprinting the deceased as instructed.
- To attend the mortuary department in the event of a major incident/mass disaster being declared
1.2 Administration
- Maintaining up to date records (manual and/or computerised) of all activities relating to the movement of the deceased into and out of the mortuary, especially the mortuary register and all release documentation pertaining to the deceased.
- Ensure all appropriate paperwork is completed accurately and in a timely manner according to standard operating procedures.
- Check that all statutory documentation e.g. consent forms, cremation forms, release forms have been completed correctly, and follow up any mistakes. Ensure all documents pertaining to foetal death are completed correctly.
- Maintain awareness of and adhere to all health and safety regulations, guidance and policies associated with the work of the mortuary
1.3 Communication
Support effective communication by:
- Communicating daily with clinical users regarding organisation of paperwork and/or regarding required procedures for transfer of deceased to the mortuary facility
- Communicating on a daily basis with funeral directors regarding arrangements for release of the deceased.
- Communicate on a regular basis with relatives of the deceased, requiring the post holder to display empathy, sympathy and sensitivity
- Answering telephone and personal enquiries in a clear, polite and professional manner, taking messages and referring calls or enquiries as appropriate, ensuring strict confidentiality at all times in line with Trust policy.
- Participating in meetings as required.
- Help distressed and emotional relatives and staff by providing support and advice in a compassionate way when receiving and giving highly sensitive information.
- Provide clear verbal updates to members of the multi-disciplinary team relating to postmortem information.
- Provide a safe environment for the safety and welfare of the deceased, visitors and staff by ensuring compliance with:
- Health and Safety at Work Act
- Human Tissue Act (HTA)
- HTA Codes of Practice
- Fire Prevention Management
- Infection Control procedures
- Risk Management
- COSHH
- Mandatory Training
- There are lifting requirements associated with this post, and aids are provided for the movement of deceased
- Transfer and manipulation of deceased persons; this will require periods of physical effort
- Advanced computer and keyboard skills are required
- Dexterity and concentration skills are required for working with analytical equipment
- Required to project a sympathetic, understanding approach with all aspects of the mortuary and bereavement service
- There may be cases which are difficult to process due to their distressing nature.
- The post holder must be able to recognise when they require additional support within their role.
- Subject to direct exposure to deceased patients both adult and paediatric
- Exposure to the families/ friends of the deceased with emotional needs and demands. This can be both during telephone calls and face to face meetings, when viewing loved ones or handing over patient property
- Subject to dealing with complex and difficult family circumstances
- Ability to work under pressure in an organised manner
- Subject to daily exposure to the deceased
- Daily manual handling of deceased patients
- Dealing with potentially distressing situations including exposure to bereaved family members
- Subject to exposure to chemicals such as formalin and cleaning products.
- As times there will be exposure to unpleasant sights and smells.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post
Job Summary:
The post Holder will work with the Anatomical Pathology Technologist in the running of a safe, secure, effective and comprehensive mortuary service for the needs of LGT.
They will be expected to work across sites receiving and releasing deceased patients, preparing deceased for viewing; general disinfection and cleaning of all the mortuary areas.
Other duties will include liaising with and assisting funeral directors, coroners personnel, police officers, doctors and trust personnel in business with the mortuary, and relatives or friends of the deceased wishing to attend the mortuary viewing facilities.
- Key Result Areas:
1.1 Mortuary
- Participate in the receipt and release of the deceased as necessary, including ensuring adequate identification of the deceased patient is always maintained, and that valuables and belongings are logged and stored according to standard protocol.
- Organise and participate in viewings and formal identifications with relatives of the deceased, liaising with the bereavement team, the maternity department and other trust staff and service users.
- Follow strict health and safety principles when handling the deceased, particularly when handling bodies which have deteriorated.
- Assist Anatomical Pathology Technologist in cases where x-rays are required, such as babies or suspicious deaths.
- Participate in the requirements for tissue donation as requested through the appropriate organisations.
- Supervise visitors, ensuring safe working practices and adherence to policies, protocols and procedures at all times.
- Ensure visitors to the mortuary have adequate information to enable them to carry out their duties safely and effectively.
- Clean and disinfect all areas of the mortuary according to standard procedure.
- Participate in the procedure for dignified disposal of foetal remains according to Trust Policy.
- Maintain awareness of and adhere to all cleansing and disinfection procedures and protocols.
- Ensure the deceased are handled in a safe manner and according to the Trust moving and handling policy. Always risk assess prior to lifting, and seek help where required.
- Comply with infection prevention and control procedures at all times.
- Provide assistance to Anatomical Pathology Technologist and Crime Scene Officers in examining, photographing and fingerprinting the deceased as instructed.
- To attend the mortuary department in the event of a major incident/mass disaster being declared
1.2 Administration
- Maintaining up to date records (manual and/or computerised) of all activities relating to the movement of the deceased into and out of the mortuary, especially the mortuary register and all release documentation pertaining to the deceased.
- Ensure all appropriate paperwork is completed accurately and in a timely manner according to standard operating procedures.
- Check that all statutory documentation e.g. consent forms, cremation forms, release forms have been completed correctly, and follow up any mistakes. Ensure all documents pertaining to foetal death are completed correctly.
- Maintain awareness of and adhere to all health and safety regulations, guidance and policies associated with the work of the mortuary
1.3 Communication
Support effective communication by:
- Communicating daily with clinical users regarding organisation of paperwork and/or regarding required procedures for transfer of deceased to the mortuary facility
- Communicating on a daily basis with funeral directors regarding arrangements for release of the deceased.
- Communicate on a regular basis with relatives of the deceased, requiring the post holder to display empathy, sympathy and sensitivity
- Answering telephone and personal enquiries in a clear, polite and professional manner, taking messages and referring calls or enquiries as appropriate, ensuring strict confidentiality at all times in line with Trust policy.
- Participating in meetings as required.
- Help distressed and emotional relatives and staff by providing support and advice in a compassionate way when receiving and giving highly sensitive information.
- Provide clear verbal updates to members of the multi-disciplinary team relating to postmortem information.
- Provide a safe environment for the safety and welfare of the deceased, visitors and staff by ensuring compliance with:
- Health and Safety at Work Act
- Human Tissue Act (HTA)
- HTA Codes of Practice
- Fire Prevention Management
- Infection Control procedures
- Risk Management
- COSHH
- Mandatory Training
- There are lifting requirements associated with this post, and aids are provided for the movement of deceased
- Transfer and manipulation of deceased persons; this will require periods of physical effort
- Advanced computer and keyboard skills are required
- Dexterity and concentration skills are required for working with analytical equipment
- Required to project a sympathetic, understanding approach with all aspects of the mortuary and bereavement service
- There may be cases which are difficult to process due to their distressing nature.
- The post holder must be able to recognise when they require additional support within their role.
- Subject to direct exposure to deceased patients both adult and paediatric
- Exposure to the families/ friends of the deceased with emotional needs and demands. This can be both during telephone calls and face to face meetings, when viewing loved ones or handing over patient property
- Subject to dealing with complex and difficult family circumstances
- Ability to work under pressure in an organised manner
- Subject to daily exposure to the deceased
- Daily manual handling of deceased patients
- Dealing with potentially distressing situations including exposure to bereaved family members
- Subject to exposure to chemicals such as formalin and cleaning products.
- As times there will be exposure to unpleasant sights and smells.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Good general education Minimum GCSE in Maths and English or equivalent.
- Experience in a mortuary or relevant field and/or NVQ Level 3 in Care
Experience
Essential
- Experience of dealing with the general public.
- Ability to use computers as part of daily work
Desirable
- Experience of working with the deceased.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in oBasic literacy
- oPhysical skills - manual handling required
- oKnowledge of Health & safety procedures
- oAble to prioritise and meet deadlines.
- oAbility to work as part of a team, as well as on own initiative.
- oCaring for people.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Good general education Minimum GCSE in Maths and English or equivalent.
- Experience in a mortuary or relevant field and/or NVQ Level 3 in Care
Experience
Essential
- Experience of dealing with the general public.
- Ability to use computers as part of daily work
Desirable
- Experience of working with the deceased.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in oBasic literacy
- oPhysical skills - manual handling required
- oKnowledge of Health & safety procedures
- oAble to prioritise and meet deadlines.
- oAbility to work as part of a team, as well as on own initiative.
- oCaring for people.
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.
