Job summary
The Mortuary department forms part of the Cellular Pathology service, which also includes the Histopathology and Cytopathology laboratories in Norfolk. This is a busy and diverse service, which acts as both a Hospital and Public Mortuary. There are approximately 4000+ deceased patients per annum under the care of the Mortuary (including hospital/consented, HM Coroner's referrals, neonatal, perinatal, paediatric and some forensic cases). Approximately 1,300 post-mortems are carried out each year. The service also carries out around 300 viewings and police identifications annually. The mortuary is a modern, well equipped service with fully trained APT staff operating a full spectrum of post mortem and bereavement services to the NNUH and the wider community patients requiring post mortem. We are currently working towards an expansion of the mortuary and potentially introduce CT autopsy processes in the future.
Main duties of the job
- Play a key role in developing the staff and service.
- Play a key role in the day-to-day management of the service.
- Personal development opportunity to develop technical and managerial skills. Further formal training opportunities are also available.
About us
Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!
The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.
We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity
We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:
- Flexible working hours
- Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
- Multi Faith prayer room
- Discounted gym memberships
- Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
- Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
- Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
- Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
- On-site Nursery
- On-site cafes offering staff discounts
- Support in career development
- Flexible staff bank
- Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Weigh the organs as required by the attending Histopathologist. Maintain concentration with good dexterity and hand-eye coordination for manipulation of fine tools and equipment. Following training, undertake full reconstructive measures after adult and perinatal Post Mortem examinations, including, examinations of stillbirths, neonates and foetuses.
- With guidance from Senior APT personnel, take and identify post mortem specimens as required and if necessary ensure their return to the body in accordance with departmental Organ Retention policies and the Human Tissue Authority (2004) guidelines. Accurate record keeping is mandatory and is essential for this task.
- Post holder must be aware of protocol for dealing with the removal of radioactive implants, cardiac pacemakers and other implantable devices.
- Execute Hand and Footprint images of stillbirths, neonates and foetuses along with arranging medical photography as necessary. Dress and prepare the deceased for photography and viewings.
- Ensure the security and storage of controlled and prescribed drugs and forensic materials is maintained. Ensure relevant record keeping is maintained and updated accordingly.
- Maintain the Mortuary & Post Mortem room in line with guidelines set as in the HSE document The Safe Working and Prevention of Infection in the Mortuary and Post Mortem Room 2003. Be aware of procedures and protocols regarding COSHH, Infection Control, Trust Risk Assessment and Standard Operating Procedures.
- Execute any necessary preparatory work required for the presentation of deceased patients in the Viewing Room. This should take into account differing religious beliefs. Arrange appointments with families and friends of deceased patients, conduct viewings and formal identifications as required. This must be in line with Coroners ruling and guidelines on viewing practices.
- Liaise and be communicative with: Histopathologists; Coroners officers; Radiology; Medical Illustration; Obstetrics and Gynaecology departments; Funeral Directors; Bereavement Office personnel; Chaplaincy and other ministers of religion; Police; Crime Scene Investigators; Tissue Team personnel; Organ donation institutions; Trust personnel; Bereaved relatives and visitors to the Mortuary as necessary.
- Ensure all procedures, regulations and documentation relating to any deceased patients are adhered to and maintained effectively.
- Be jointly responsible for day-to-day record keeping as required. Both manual and electronic record keeping is essential.
Please refer to the Job Description for the full specification of responsibilities and requirements for this post.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Weigh the organs as required by the attending Histopathologist. Maintain concentration with good dexterity and hand-eye coordination for manipulation of fine tools and equipment. Following training, undertake full reconstructive measures after adult and perinatal Post Mortem examinations, including, examinations of stillbirths, neonates and foetuses.
- With guidance from Senior APT personnel, take and identify post mortem specimens as required and if necessary ensure their return to the body in accordance with departmental Organ Retention policies and the Human Tissue Authority (2004) guidelines. Accurate record keeping is mandatory and is essential for this task.
- Post holder must be aware of protocol for dealing with the removal of radioactive implants, cardiac pacemakers and other implantable devices.
- Execute Hand and Footprint images of stillbirths, neonates and foetuses along with arranging medical photography as necessary. Dress and prepare the deceased for photography and viewings.
- Ensure the security and storage of controlled and prescribed drugs and forensic materials is maintained. Ensure relevant record keeping is maintained and updated accordingly.
- Maintain the Mortuary & Post Mortem room in line with guidelines set as in the HSE document The Safe Working and Prevention of Infection in the Mortuary and Post Mortem Room 2003. Be aware of procedures and protocols regarding COSHH, Infection Control, Trust Risk Assessment and Standard Operating Procedures.
- Execute any necessary preparatory work required for the presentation of deceased patients in the Viewing Room. This should take into account differing religious beliefs. Arrange appointments with families and friends of deceased patients, conduct viewings and formal identifications as required. This must be in line with Coroners ruling and guidelines on viewing practices.
- Liaise and be communicative with: Histopathologists; Coroners officers; Radiology; Medical Illustration; Obstetrics and Gynaecology departments; Funeral Directors; Bereavement Office personnel; Chaplaincy and other ministers of religion; Police; Crime Scene Investigators; Tissue Team personnel; Organ donation institutions; Trust personnel; Bereaved relatives and visitors to the Mortuary as necessary.
- Ensure all procedures, regulations and documentation relating to any deceased patients are adhered to and maintained effectively.
- Be jointly responsible for day-to-day record keeping as required. Both manual and electronic record keeping is essential.
Please refer to the Job Description for the full specification of responsibilities and requirements for this post.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good general education to (minimum) GCSE level or equivalent
Experience
Essential
Desirable
- Experience of working in a biological or care environment
- Understanding or experience of Mortuary work
Skills
Essential
- Good written and verbal skills with ability to be sensitive, tactful and diplomatic
- Good organisational skills
- Ability to work alone or as a team member
Attitude, aptitude
Essential
- Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
- Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good general education to (minimum) GCSE level or equivalent
Experience
Essential
Desirable
- Experience of working in a biological or care environment
- Understanding or experience of Mortuary work
Skills
Essential
- Good written and verbal skills with ability to be sensitive, tactful and diplomatic
- Good organisational skills
- Ability to work alone or as a team member
Attitude, aptitude
Essential
- Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
- Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
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).
