Job summary
To provide a professional, proactive and sensitive service to bereaved relatives, whilst ensuring the Trust's statutory obligations are fulfilled. To take part in continuously review practice and develop policies which incorporate national guidance and Human Tissue Authority Legislation. To work closely with other key professionals both within and outside the Trust in order to meet individual needs. To promote an awareness of bereavement issue within a multi faith, multi-cultural environment.
The post holder will work in parallel with the Bereavement Services and work alongside the other pathology departments to provide a service. There will be interaction and occasional cross site working with the sister service at the Princess Royal Site.
Main duties of the job
Please see attached job description and person specification which is not limited to providing expertise knowledge, support and education for the care of deceased patients and their relatives.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1.7 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and around 15,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King's College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in Bromley.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus.
Our values at King's, are that we're a kind, respectful team;
Kind. We show compassion and understanding and bring a positive attitude to our work
Respectful. We promote equality, are inclusive and honest, speaking up when needed
Team. We support each other, communicate openly, and are reassuringly professional
Job description
Job responsibilities
General
The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
- To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
- We want to be an organisation where everyone shares a commitment to delivering the very best care and feels like their contribution is valuable and valued.
- At Kings we are a kind, respectful team:
Kind. We show compassion and understanding and bring a positive attitude to our work
Respectful. We promote equality, are inclusive and honest, speaking up when needed
Team. We support each other, communicate openly, and are reassuringly professional
- To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
- To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
- This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
- All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.
- Everyone is responsible for promoting inclusion no matter their role or team. At Kings, we want to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and welcomed
Safe Guarding
The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by;
- attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
- familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns
- reportingany safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately
Infection Control Statement
The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas.
The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.
These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.
Job description
Job responsibilities
General
The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
- To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
- We want to be an organisation where everyone shares a commitment to delivering the very best care and feels like their contribution is valuable and valued.
- At Kings we are a kind, respectful team:
Kind. We show compassion and understanding and bring a positive attitude to our work
Respectful. We promote equality, are inclusive and honest, speaking up when needed
Team. We support each other, communicate openly, and are reassuringly professional
- To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
- To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
- This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
- All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.
- Everyone is responsible for promoting inclusion no matter their role or team. At Kings, we want to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and welcomed
Safe Guarding
The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by;
- attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
- familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns
- reportingany safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately
Infection Control Statement
The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas.
The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.
These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Level 4 in Anatomical pathology technology or equivalent experience and be willing to complete the Level 4 training as soon as the trust is able to support this
- Degree qualification or relevant experience.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience of routine and specialised post mortems
- Evidence of understanding and experience in complying with HTA regulations
- EEvidence of understanding and experience in complying with clinical governance, UKAS standards and Health and Safety legislation.
- Working knowledge of writing SOPs and record keeping
- Be able to deal with the physical and emotional aspects of work in mortuary and bereavement services
Desirable
- Experience taking consent
- Experience in training staff members on a variety of different procedures
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Highly developed interpersonal, communication, negotiating and writing skills
- Ability to prioritise changing demands and work to deadlines
- Ability to deal with conflict and stress in a positive manner
- Ability to influence, motivate and inspire others
- Computer literate and accurate touch typing keyboard skills
- Ability to routinely manage situations which may be emotionally distressing, in a calm and professional manner
- Ability to work within and support members of the team
- Appreciation of needs of families of other faiths and cultures
- Ability to ensure clear handover of information between staff and departments.
- Be able to deal with the physical and emotional aspects of work in mortuary and bereavement services
Desirable
- Teaching/presentational skills
- Mentoring skills
- Evidence of promoting continuous quality improvement within a team
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Level 4 in Anatomical pathology technology or equivalent experience and be willing to complete the Level 4 training as soon as the trust is able to support this
- Degree qualification or relevant experience.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience of routine and specialised post mortems
- Evidence of understanding and experience in complying with HTA regulations
- EEvidence of understanding and experience in complying with clinical governance, UKAS standards and Health and Safety legislation.
- Working knowledge of writing SOPs and record keeping
- Be able to deal with the physical and emotional aspects of work in mortuary and bereavement services
Desirable
- Experience taking consent
- Experience in training staff members on a variety of different procedures
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Highly developed interpersonal, communication, negotiating and writing skills
- Ability to prioritise changing demands and work to deadlines
- Ability to deal with conflict and stress in a positive manner
- Ability to influence, motivate and inspire others
- Computer literate and accurate touch typing keyboard skills
- Ability to routinely manage situations which may be emotionally distressing, in a calm and professional manner
- Ability to work within and support members of the team
- Appreciation of needs of families of other faiths and cultures
- Ability to ensure clear handover of information between staff and departments.
- Be able to deal with the physical and emotional aspects of work in mortuary and bereavement services
Desirable
- Teaching/presentational skills
- Mentoring skills
- Evidence of promoting continuous quality improvement within a team
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).
Employer details
Employer name
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Denmark Hill
London
SE5 9RS
Employer's website
https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
