Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for motivated and resilient individual to join the Mortuary & Bereavement service at Bedfordshire hospitals.
Successful candidates will assist in all routine activities with the mortuary and bereavement service. In house training will be given and opportunities to develop the skills required to provide a high quality service to deceased patients and bereaved families in the community.
This post is cross site at Bedfordshire hospitals. Successful candidates will be required to work to a rota covering both sites; Bedford hospital and The Luton & Dunstable hospital.
Successful candidates that meet agreed targets with the 12 month contract will have the opportunity attain the Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology.
Main duties of the job
Assisting the Mortuary & Bereavement Office Team in co-ordinating the day to day functions of the Mortuary & Bereavement Service. This will involve:
Carrying out the administrative procedures required in relation to patient deaths, including reception duties, admission/discharge of deceased patients.
Assist in providing correct, informative, support and advice to bereaved relatives.
Assists with preparing deceased for Post Mortem, viewings and identifications
Contribute to maintaining a high quality service through evaluation and monitoring.
Assist the Mortuary & Bereavement Office Team in developing the service in response to Trust requirements and national initiatives.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.
Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide comprehensive and clear information, advice and practical support to patients, bereaved families, friends and staff about procedures following death. Where required assist with locating and distribution of patient property.
Ensure that there is effective two-way communication between the Mortuary & Bereavement Service and external agencies such as His Majestys Coroners Office, The Registry Office, provide data for the office of National Statistics, crematoria and cemeteries locally, Funeral Directors, Local Council and the Police as required.
Support the Mortuary & Bereavement Office Team in ensuring that documentation used by the service is consistent and of a high quality.
To comply with Policies and Procedures commensurate to role.
Ensure the Deceased Patient Check List is completed, appropriately, signed and dated.
Maintains computer and written records relating to the deceaseds admission and discharge.
Follows policies and procedures within the Mortuary & Bereavement Service, may comment on existing policies.
Assists with maintaining stock supplies in the Mortuary.
Attends departmental meetings as/when applicable or required.
To assist with admissions and discharges deceased persons to/from the Mortuary.
Assists with preparing the deceased for the purpose of viewing.
May assist with viewings and identifications.
Assists in the moving of the deceased within the mortuary complex.
Performs routine maintenance schedules for equipment, and maintains equipment, work area and storage space in a clean and tidy state.
Responsible for the safe use of equipment within the Mortuary.
Participates in internal quality control and external quality assurance.
Ensure GPs are notified of the death of their patient on the day the certificates are completed.
Escalate arising urgent situations and concerns to the senior manager.
Provide an information and advisory service for the bereaved with regard to the registration procedures, funeral arrangements, social services support and counselling facilities.
Ensure the relevant, up to date written information is available and distributed to the bereaved where appropriate, in an appropriate format (meeting needs in respect of disabilities and language).
Provide an appropriate supportive service to anxious or distressed relatives, reporting any concerns that they may have to the Medical Examiner Office.
Ensure that care and support provided is culturally sensitive and respects the religious needs.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide comprehensive and clear information, advice and practical support to patients, bereaved families, friends and staff about procedures following death. Where required assist with locating and distribution of patient property.
Ensure that there is effective two-way communication between the Mortuary & Bereavement Service and external agencies such as His Majestys Coroners Office, The Registry Office, provide data for the office of National Statistics, crematoria and cemeteries locally, Funeral Directors, Local Council and the Police as required.
Support the Mortuary & Bereavement Office Team in ensuring that documentation used by the service is consistent and of a high quality.
To comply with Policies and Procedures commensurate to role.
Ensure the Deceased Patient Check List is completed, appropriately, signed and dated.
Maintains computer and written records relating to the deceaseds admission and discharge.
Follows policies and procedures within the Mortuary & Bereavement Service, may comment on existing policies.
Assists with maintaining stock supplies in the Mortuary.
Attends departmental meetings as/when applicable or required.
To assist with admissions and discharges deceased persons to/from the Mortuary.
Assists with preparing the deceased for the purpose of viewing.
May assist with viewings and identifications.
Assists in the moving of the deceased within the mortuary complex.
Performs routine maintenance schedules for equipment, and maintains equipment, work area and storage space in a clean and tidy state.
Responsible for the safe use of equipment within the Mortuary.
Participates in internal quality control and external quality assurance.
Ensure GPs are notified of the death of their patient on the day the certificates are completed.
Escalate arising urgent situations and concerns to the senior manager.
Provide an information and advisory service for the bereaved with regard to the registration procedures, funeral arrangements, social services support and counselling facilities.
Ensure the relevant, up to date written information is available and distributed to the bereaved where appropriate, in an appropriate format (meeting needs in respect of disabilities and language).
Provide an appropriate supportive service to anxious or distressed relatives, reporting any concerns that they may have to the Medical Examiner Office.
Ensure that care and support provided is culturally sensitive and respects the religious needs.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of good level of education to include GCSE grade C in Mathematics and English or equivalent
Desirable
- Knowledge of windows and excel NVQ Level 3 or equivalent level experience
Experience
Essential
- Customer/patient facing experience Experience of working to deadlines and managing own workload to meet the needs of a service Experience of working within a team Able to work alone
Desirable
- Experience of working within Mortuary and Bereavement Service Experience of a secondary care environment Experience in a Healthcare setting
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the need for confidentiality awareness at all times. Able to empathise with people
Desirable
- Knowledge of NHS administrative systems, admission, patient information systems, hospital departments, clerical / office procedures, data input procedures
Personal Skills
Essential
- Attention to detail and accuracy Excellent soft people skills Able to work well under pressure Open and Honest nature Ability to multi task Excellent communication skills
Desirable
- Can demonstrate personal resilience
Other
Essential
- Standard keyboard skills Accurate at inputting data Ability to work in a stressful environment Ability to adapt daily routine and to multi task Problem-solving skills Able to cope with an occasional requirement for physical effort and lifting of objects (5kg or over) Able to work alone and make decisions to commensurate within responsibilities of the role
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of good level of education to include GCSE grade C in Mathematics and English or equivalent
Desirable
- Knowledge of windows and excel NVQ Level 3 or equivalent level experience
Experience
Essential
- Customer/patient facing experience Experience of working to deadlines and managing own workload to meet the needs of a service Experience of working within a team Able to work alone
Desirable
- Experience of working within Mortuary and Bereavement Service Experience of a secondary care environment Experience in a Healthcare setting
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the need for confidentiality awareness at all times. Able to empathise with people
Desirable
- Knowledge of NHS administrative systems, admission, patient information systems, hospital departments, clerical / office procedures, data input procedures
Personal Skills
Essential
- Attention to detail and accuracy Excellent soft people skills Able to work well under pressure Open and Honest nature Ability to multi task Excellent communication skills
Desirable
- Can demonstrate personal resilience
Other
Essential
- Standard keyboard skills Accurate at inputting data Ability to work in a stressful environment Ability to adapt daily routine and to multi task Problem-solving skills Able to cope with an occasional requirement for physical effort and lifting of objects (5kg or over) Able to work alone and make decisions to commensurate within responsibilities of the role
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).
