Job summary
Buckshealthcare NHS Trust mortuary team, based at Stoke Mandeville Hospital site, are looking to recruit a highly motivated and enthusiastic Qualified Anatomical Pathology Technician to join our busy friendly Mortuary Team.
Exceptional patient care to our deceased and their families is of paramount importance to our team and we would expect the same from all staff.
Main duties of the job
- Provide appropriate advice to clinicians, other visitors to the mortuary and bereaved relatives and friends in respect of care of the deceased.
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The mortuaries deals with over 2400 bodies a year, which must be kept safe and secure and treated with dignity and with respect of their religion whilst within the mortuary.
Enable viewing of the deceased by relatives.
Assist pathologists at post mortems which average over 700 a year.
Ensure bodies and paperwork are ready in time for the funeral not to be delayed.
To assist the mortuary manager with their responsibility for the day-to-day running of the mortuary, ensuring there is sufficient staffing for daily and on call procedures
About us
Why colleagues think we are "a great place to work!"
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes.
We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
What do we stand for?
Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.
We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.
We are proud to achieve the Gold award for the Armed Forces Covenant and support applications from the Armed Forces Community. Please contact Pam.Daley@nhs.net (our Armed Forces Covenant Lead) if you would like guidance or assistance with your application.
We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As per the job description and to:
Work safely, following hospital and departmental Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs), safety policies and other guidance for all tasks in accordance with HTA and UKAS regulations. Recognise, assess and resolve any problems with SOPs. To create new SOPs where necessary and ensure old SOPs are reviewed and updated on an annual or need basis.
Be aware of all COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) information relating to chemicals used. To understand the implications of this information contained in COSHH data sheets and risk assessments for the safe working of the mortuary. To carry out annual review and any necessary updates of COSHH risk assessments.
Ensure that correct procedures are carried out to the highest possible standards, and that quality control checks and audits are carried out.
Treat all bodies, tissues and limbs with dignity and respect their religious beliefs.
Treat all information with confidentiality show discretion and diplomacy when dealing with questions concerning the deceased or the department.
Ensure relevant safety issues are brought to attention of the head BMS for the pathology health and safety meetings.
In the absence of the mortuary manager, represent the mortuary on the Buckinghamshire Hospitals disposal of foetal remains group, bereavement group and mortuary services group meetings.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As per the job description and to:
Work safely, following hospital and departmental Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs), safety policies and other guidance for all tasks in accordance with HTA and UKAS regulations. Recognise, assess and resolve any problems with SOPs. To create new SOPs where necessary and ensure old SOPs are reviewed and updated on an annual or need basis.
Be aware of all COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) information relating to chemicals used. To understand the implications of this information contained in COSHH data sheets and risk assessments for the safe working of the mortuary. To carry out annual review and any necessary updates of COSHH risk assessments.
Ensure that correct procedures are carried out to the highest possible standards, and that quality control checks and audits are carried out.
Treat all bodies, tissues and limbs with dignity and respect their religious beliefs.
Treat all information with confidentiality show discretion and diplomacy when dealing with questions concerning the deceased or the department.
Ensure relevant safety issues are brought to attention of the head BMS for the pathology health and safety meetings.
In the absence of the mortuary manager, represent the mortuary on the Buckinghamshire Hospitals disposal of foetal remains group, bereavement group and mortuary services group meetings.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology from the Royal Institute of Public Health & Hygiene
Experience
Essential
- At least 2 years mortuary work experience post Diploma
- Some experience of teaching and supervision
- Awareness of the requirements of different faiths
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Safety regulations for the safe working in a mortuary
- Current regulations on the handling of human tissue.
- Ability to deal with the physical and emotional aspects of mortuary work (e.g. road traffic accidents and forensic investigations.)
- Full range of dissection skills and knowledge of organ retrieval techniques for transplant.
- Courteous telephone manner and ability to deal sensitively with enquiries from distressed relatives.
- Organisational skills to plan and prioritise work.
- Good written communication skills to enable accurate record keeping.
- Methodical approach to work with strict attention to detail.
Desirable
- Basic computer keyboard skills.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology from the Royal Institute of Public Health & Hygiene
Experience
Essential
- At least 2 years mortuary work experience post Diploma
- Some experience of teaching and supervision
- Awareness of the requirements of different faiths
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Safety regulations for the safe working in a mortuary
- Current regulations on the handling of human tissue.
- Ability to deal with the physical and emotional aspects of mortuary work (e.g. road traffic accidents and forensic investigations.)
- Full range of dissection skills and knowledge of organ retrieval techniques for transplant.
- Courteous telephone manner and ability to deal sensitively with enquiries from distressed relatives.
- Organisational skills to plan and prioritise work.
- Good written communication skills to enable accurate record keeping.
- Methodical approach to work with strict attention to detail.
Desirable
- Basic computer keyboard skills.
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.
