Job summary
Due to increased workload and new service, we are recruiting a Mortuary assistant who will be working under the direction of the Senior Mortuary assistant and Lead APT or their deputy to support the departmental workload.
One Mortuary assistant will be primarily based at Worthing hospital although travel between all sites (Royal Sussex, Princess Royal, St Richards and Worthing hospitals) will be required at times.
The Mortuary is a standalone service and falls under the Director of Core Services, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust Mortuary service currently deals with approximately 6000 deceased from across West Sussex and the 4 hospitals mentioned above.
We currently hold two HTA (Human Tissues Authority) licences, numbers 12286 and 12142.
Main duties of the job
To undertake day-to-day operational aspects of the Mortuary under the direction of the Head of Mortuary services, Lead APT, Senior Mortuary Assistant and HTA Designated Individual (DI) in compliance with the conditions of HTA and UKAS.
To assist the Head of Mortuary services, Lead APT and Senior Mortuary Assistant in the provision and development of a comprehensive Mortuary service within University Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust mortuaries: Worthing Hospital, St Richards Hospital, Royal Sussex Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital as required. Travel to all sites will be required to support service needs.
To participate in the provision of a high quality, cost-effective service covering all aspects of the Mortuary practice including, receipt and release of deceased patients and their property, admittance and release of sensitive disposals, informing relevant persons of an implantable device, maintaining a safe & hygienic working environment, including general housekeeping, fridge cleaning, assist in stock control, internal audits and other HTA related paperwork, general administration, transfer of deceased patients between sites and to and from other locations.
Supporting the Mortuary "users" in helping to provide an effective Trust-wide Mortuary Service.
About us
Join us at UHSussex, every day is different, you can be the change, better never stops.
At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute Trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Improving lives: We are a vibrant and inclusive organisation, with hardworking, talented and dedicated individuals, who work together towards a common goal, to always put our Patient First. Our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto and no matter the role at UHSussex, you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
Build a career with us: As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Mortuary assistants participate in the provision of a high quality, cost-effective service covering all aspects of the Mortuary practice including, receipt and release of deceased patients and their property, admittance and release of sensitive disposals, informing relevant persons of an implantable device, maintaining a safe & hygienic working environment, including general housekeeping, fridge cleaning, assist in stock control, internal audits and other HTA related paperwork, general administration, transfer of deceased patients between sites and to and from other locations using the Mortuary patient transport vehicle.
Travel to all sites will be required to support service needs along with participation in the out of hours service on a rotational basis with other Mortuary Assistants, occasionally assisting APT' at forensic post-mortems.
Key Working Relationships - APTs, Pathologists, Forensic Pathologists, Bereavement, Chaplaincy, Maternity, Radiology, Portering, Medical Staff (all levels) and Infection Control, West Sussex Coroner, Coroners Officers and Administrative Staff, WSCC Representatives/Officers, Funeral Directors, Tissue Retrieval Teams, Research Groups, Forensic Orthodontologists, General Practitioners, HTA, Ambulance Service, Police and members of the General Public.
Admittance and release of deceased patients including administration
Completing body and identification checks
Transfer of patients between sites and to other locations using the Mortuary patient transfer van
Housekeeping duties
Viewing of deceased patients
Assisting the APT's with HTA compliance
Participation in "tier 2" out of hours on call
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Mortuary assistants participate in the provision of a high quality, cost-effective service covering all aspects of the Mortuary practice including, receipt and release of deceased patients and their property, admittance and release of sensitive disposals, informing relevant persons of an implantable device, maintaining a safe & hygienic working environment, including general housekeeping, fridge cleaning, assist in stock control, internal audits and other HTA related paperwork, general administration, transfer of deceased patients between sites and to and from other locations using the Mortuary patient transport vehicle.
Travel to all sites will be required to support service needs along with participation in the out of hours service on a rotational basis with other Mortuary Assistants, occasionally assisting APT' at forensic post-mortems.
Key Working Relationships - APTs, Pathologists, Forensic Pathologists, Bereavement, Chaplaincy, Maternity, Radiology, Portering, Medical Staff (all levels) and Infection Control, West Sussex Coroner, Coroners Officers and Administrative Staff, WSCC Representatives/Officers, Funeral Directors, Tissue Retrieval Teams, Research Groups, Forensic Orthodontologists, General Practitioners, HTA, Ambulance Service, Police and members of the General Public.
Admittance and release of deceased patients including administration
Completing body and identification checks
Transfer of patients between sites and to other locations using the Mortuary patient transfer van
Housekeeping duties
Viewing of deceased patients
Assisting the APT's with HTA compliance
Participation in "tier 2" out of hours on call
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Skills/Experience
Essential
- Educated to NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of experience Good level of Numeracy and English
- Full Driving licence (cat b)
- Proven ability to work as part of a team
- Demonstrable ability to receive and understand data of varying levels of complexity
- Demonstrable ability to communicate in an empathic manner over sensitive issues
- Attention to detail and working with accuracy and precision
- Ability to deal with emotionally distressing situations in a sympathetic and professional manner.
- Ability to plan own day to achieve goals set e.g. completing tasks set in a timely fashion without compromising quality.
- Computer skills, using Microsoft Word and Excel, other software packages
- Evidence of continued CPD
- Ability to recognise and monitor parameters of quality, accuracy and imprecision
- Ability to deal with frequent exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions.
- Knowledge of the HTA code of practice A consent and B post mortem
- Ability to cope with frequent "Lone Worker" situations.
- Participation in the Out-Of-Hours (OOH) Service on a rotational basis with the other Mortuary Assistants. (once signed-off on appropriate competencies).
Desirable
- Registration with the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technologists as an associate member (currently voluntary).
- Experience of mortuary or undertaker's duties
- Experience in working with deceased patients.
- Clean Full Driving licence
Person Specification
Qualifications/Skills/Experience
Essential
- Educated to NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of experience Good level of Numeracy and English
- Full Driving licence (cat b)
- Proven ability to work as part of a team
- Demonstrable ability to receive and understand data of varying levels of complexity
- Demonstrable ability to communicate in an empathic manner over sensitive issues
- Attention to detail and working with accuracy and precision
- Ability to deal with emotionally distressing situations in a sympathetic and professional manner.
- Ability to plan own day to achieve goals set e.g. completing tasks set in a timely fashion without compromising quality.
- Computer skills, using Microsoft Word and Excel, other software packages
- Evidence of continued CPD
- Ability to recognise and monitor parameters of quality, accuracy and imprecision
- Ability to deal with frequent exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions.
- Knowledge of the HTA code of practice A consent and B post mortem
- Ability to cope with frequent "Lone Worker" situations.
- Participation in the Out-Of-Hours (OOH) Service on a rotational basis with the other Mortuary Assistants. (once signed-off on appropriate competencies).
Desirable
- Registration with the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technologists as an associate member (currently voluntary).
- Experience of mortuary or undertaker's duties
- Experience in working with deceased patients.
- Clean Full Driving licence
