Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Pathology Department to join the Mortuary and Bereavement teams, working across both Bedford Hospital and the Luton & Dunstable Hospital sites.
The post holder will act as an HTA Person Designate for the HTA licences, requiring a strong understanding of HTA standards and regulations. They will be responsible for the accurate archiving, tracking, and documentation of relevant material in line with regulatory requirements.
The role involves undertaking a wide range of duties to support the efficient and effective running of the mortuary and bereavement services. The post holder will work independently, prioritising their workload to ensure the smooth operation of this busy service, and will become an integral member of the team.
Main duties of the job
Key Duties
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Act as an HTA Person Designate for the HTA licence across both sites, ensuring full compliance with tissue tracking and traceability requirements.
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Manage the archiving, tracking, and documentation of relevant material, including carrying out regular audits.
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Support the HTA Person Designate for Paediatrics when required.
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Assist the Mortuary and Bereavement teams in coordinating the day-to-day operations of the service.
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Monitor shared departmental email inboxes, ensuring timely responses and appropriate saving and distribution of information.
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Liaise with the County Coroner's Office regarding post-mortem arrangements, including handling documentation such as bookings, consent forms, and cause-of-death information.
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Contribute to the ongoing development of the Mortuary and Bereavement service in line with Trust needs and national initiatives.
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Maintain the safety, dignity, and respectful care of the deceased at all times.
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 available.
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
Mortuary and Bereavement Responsibilities
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Assist the Mortuary and Bereavement Office team in coordinating the daytoday functions of the service across both sites.
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Carry out all administrative procedures related to patient deaths, including reception duties and the admission and release of deceased patients.
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Provide accurate, sensitive information, support, and guidance to bereaved relatives.
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Assist with preparing the deceased for postmortem examination, viewings, and formal identifications.
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Contribute to maintaining a highquality service through ongoing evaluation and monitoring.
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Manage administrative tasks across both sites, including monitoring shared email inboxes, updating all relevant systems daily, and ensuring national records and GP services are notified of deaths.
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Provide accurate daily admission information for the Medical Examiner Officer (MEO) service and other service users as directed by the Mortuary Manager.
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Offer clear, practical information and support to patients, bereaved families, friends, and staff regarding procedures following a death, including assisting with locating and distributing patient property when required.
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Maintain effective two way communication between the Mortuary and Bereavement Service and external agencies such as His Majestys Coroners Office, the Registry Office, the Office for National Statistics, crematoria, cemeteries, funeral directors, local authorities, and the police.
Please refer to the attached JD.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Mortuary and Bereavement Responsibilities
-
Assist the Mortuary and Bereavement Office team in coordinating the daytoday functions of the service across both sites.
-
Carry out all administrative procedures related to patient deaths, including reception duties and the admission and release of deceased patients.
-
Provide accurate, sensitive information, support, and guidance to bereaved relatives.
-
Assist with preparing the deceased for postmortem examination, viewings, and formal identifications.
-
Contribute to maintaining a highquality service through ongoing evaluation and monitoring.
-
Manage administrative tasks across both sites, including monitoring shared email inboxes, updating all relevant systems daily, and ensuring national records and GP services are notified of deaths.
-
Provide accurate daily admission information for the Medical Examiner Officer (MEO) service and other service users as directed by the Mortuary Manager.
-
Offer clear, practical information and support to patients, bereaved families, friends, and staff regarding procedures following a death, including assisting with locating and distributing patient property when required.
-
Maintain effective two way communication between the Mortuary and Bereavement Service and external agencies such as His Majestys Coroners Office, the Registry Office, the Office for National Statistics, crematoria, cemeteries, funeral directors, local authorities, and the police.
Please refer to the attached JD.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of good level of education to include GCSE grade C in Mathematics and English
- equivalent NVQ Level 3 or equivalent level experience
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working to deadlines and managing own workload to meet the needs of a service
- Experience of working within a team
- Ability to work alone
Desirable
- Experience in tracking and recording relevant material organs and histology specimens
- Experience in the use of NHS or laboratory systems
- Experience in archiving relevant material
- Experience in a Healthcare setting
- Experience in tracking samples across multiple sights and systems
- Experience of working with His Majesty Coroner
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of Human Tissues Authority and regulations in the post mortem sector or willingness to learn
- Understanding of the need for confidentiality awareness at all times.
- Knowledge of NHS administrative systems, admission, patient information systems, hospital departments, clerical / office procedures, data input procedures
- Excellent knowledge of windows and excel
Desirable
- Knowledge of post mortem processes and associated administrative tasks
Personal Skills
Essential
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
- Excellent soft people skills
- Ability to empathise with people
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Open and honest nature
- Ability to handle a high pressure and changeable work environment
- Ability to handle traumatic sights/sounds/smells
Desirable
- Can demonstrate personal resilience
Other
Essential
- Standard keyboard skills
- Accuracy at inputting data
- 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
- Ability to supervise and support others
Desirable
- Experience in training staff
- Knowledge of medico-legal terminology
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of good level of education to include GCSE grade C in Mathematics and English
- equivalent NVQ Level 3 or equivalent level experience
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working to deadlines and managing own workload to meet the needs of a service
- Experience of working within a team
- Ability to work alone
Desirable
- Experience in tracking and recording relevant material organs and histology specimens
- Experience in the use of NHS or laboratory systems
- Experience in archiving relevant material
- Experience in a Healthcare setting
- Experience in tracking samples across multiple sights and systems
- Experience of working with His Majesty Coroner
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of Human Tissues Authority and regulations in the post mortem sector or willingness to learn
- Understanding of the need for confidentiality awareness at all times.
- Knowledge of NHS administrative systems, admission, patient information systems, hospital departments, clerical / office procedures, data input procedures
- Excellent knowledge of windows and excel
Desirable
- Knowledge of post mortem processes and associated administrative tasks
Personal Skills
Essential
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
- Excellent soft people skills
- Ability to empathise with people
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Open and honest nature
- Ability to handle a high pressure and changeable work environment
- Ability to handle traumatic sights/sounds/smells
Desirable
- Can demonstrate personal resilience
Other
Essential
- Standard keyboard skills
- Accuracy at inputting data
- 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
- Ability to supervise and support others
Desirable
- Experience in training staff
- Knowledge of medico-legal terminology
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).
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