Job summary
Due to increased workload and new service, we are recruiting 2 Mortuary assistant who will be working, when required, under the direction of the Senior Mortuary assistant and Lead APT or their deputy to support the departmental workload.
The Mortuary assistants will be primarily based at Princess Royal Haywards Heath, although travel between all sites (Royal Sussex County Brighton, Princess Royal Haywards Heath, St Richards Chichester and Worthing hospitals) will be required at times. The post requires the ability to drive an automatic transmission van between sites transporting deceased patients as required, undertaking direct funerals for the Trust. This post will involve some lone working, there will be a period of training and assessment on other sites prior to starting work at Princess Royal, namely 2 weeks at Worthing hospital, 1 week at St Richards hospital Chichester and 1 week at Royal Sussex County Brighton.
The Mortuary is a standalone service and falls under the Director of Clinical Support 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 a HTA (Human Tissues Authority) licence, number 12286
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 (Human Tissues Authority) Designated Individual (DI) in compliance with the conditions of HTA and UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service).
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
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
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 ourWellbeing Programmefor 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.
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.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex
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, undertaking direct cremations for the Trust.
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's at forensic post-mortems, training will be provided.
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 ( a full driving licence held for more than 2 years is required and the ability to drive an automatic transmission vehicle).
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, undertaking direct cremations for the Trust.
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's at forensic post-mortems, training will be provided.
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 ( a full driving licence held for more than 2 years is required and the ability to drive an automatic transmission vehicle).
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) held for more than 2 years and the ability to drive an automatic transmission
- 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.
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
- Experience of arranging funerals
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) held for more than 2 years and the ability to drive an automatic transmission
- 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.
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
- Experience of arranging funerals
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.
