Job responsibilities
1. Under the direction of the MM / DI support the team with all mortuary activities, provision, and related areas of work, including mortuary response to mass fatality and excess deaths incidents. Responsible for the duties relating to the admission, identification, viewing, appropriate storage and release of bodies. Pay particular attention to the handover of personal valuables and closely monitor the conduct of persons visiting, delivering, or collecting bodies. Able to attend out of hours and participate in the on call / out of hours rota when requested. Ensure no unauthorised access to the facility is always maintained.
2. Under the direction of the MM, be responsible and accountable for your actions whilst caring for and preparing bodies for Post-Mortem (PM) examination in accordance with Coroner instruction, HTA regulations whilst maintaining good working relations with all stakeholders. Assist the Pathologists, Police / Forensic teams and promote effective teamwork. Clearly communicate with all interested parties in a professional, respectful, and caring manner.
3. The post holder must be a qualified Anatomical Pathology Technologist (APT) to RSPH level 3 standard, a flexible team player and committed to assisting colleagues and Pathologist to deliver mortuary provision to the highest standards. Post holder must be proficient and competent with evisceration of the deceased for routine, forensic and specialist postmortems including all general duties, the removal of organs, pacemakers, reconstruction, and all associated tasks.
4. Carry out the evisceration of the deceased, and advanced techniques as required. Undertake routine, forensic and specialist technical autopsy work and advanced techniques as required in the presence of the Pathologist. Attend call-outs as required and assist forensic, special and defence post-mortem examinations.
5. Prior to any evisceration always check the patients ID, Coroners instruction / paperwork, with a colleague and prepare of the deceased ready for coronial post-mortem examination. Always share relevant information for post-mortem examinations with applicable colleagues and ensure the post-mortem schedule has been approved and agreed before evisceration.
6. Responsible for supporting, mentoring, and supervising trainees, junior staff, graduates, apprentices etc as requested and confirm competency standards if applicable to aid completion of courses / career development of others. (e.g. graduates, apprentices etc.)
7. Always maintain the dignity of the deceased of all patients, ensure they are suitably prepared, covered and stored correctly. Obtain the consent form, assist with viewings and identifications, ensuring all HTA and local guidance / operating procedures are adhered to.
8. Responsible for checking the condition and identity of the deceased patient prior to any process being carried out and maintain / update all paper-based and electronic systems accurately to ensure full traceability is available for each case.
9. To advise, liaise and co-operate with all stakeholders in a professional manner and participate in regular team meetings. Remain flexible to attend early and late meetings/events/emergencies and deliver the Mortuary Service outside standard hours to ensure that services provided is responsive to customer/client needs.
10. To participate and maintain the cleaning and sterilisation regimes for all the areas, including post-mortem rooms, fridge areas, prep area, instruments, apparatus and equipment to manage infection control and ensure it is kept in a safe, hygienic and ready to use condition in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and HTA requirements. This includes access to the external storage units.
11. Ensure all foul / infectious bodies are dealt with in accordance with current Risk Assessments, SOPs, HTA recommendations, use the applicable PPE and always maintain very high hygiene / infection control standards and use appropriate signage to warn others of potential hazards.
12. Accountable for regular monitoring and auditing of all mortuary practices to maintain HTA compliance including, but not limited to the recording of cleaning regimes, body condition, location, infection control and keep all paper-based and electronic records / registers are updated.
13. Ensure the disposal and safe packaging of all clinical waste and contaminated sharps are disposed of in accordance with current Waste and Environment Regulations and procedures.
14. To carry out and keep a record of periodic checks of mechanical equipment and make recommendations in relation to the maintenance and safety of all the equipment. Closely monitor all the refrigerated storage temperatures, maintain records and act accordingly to protect the deceased, inform all colleagues and Manager of any issues.
15. To fully participate in staff meetings and training to ensure you are adequately briefed, trained and fully understand relevant matters, statutory legalisation, industry related codes of practice, guiding principles and PDCs scheme as required.
16. To monitor stock levels of all supplies used in the Mortuary building and notify colleagues. Recommend changes in cleaning materials and procedures as necessary. Refer to product guidance prior and COSHH assessments for the safe use and storage of all products.
17. Read and understand the reporting and investigation of incidents procedures and assist with accidents/incidents, including the summoning of emergency services as necessary; Support the attendance of other colleagues and agencies to deal with the buildings emergency activation as a designated disaster mortuary (DDM).
18. Ensure all general enquiries are dealt with in a courteous, empathetic, professional and caring manner specifically reporting any complaints to the senior officers.
19. Responsible for keeping up to date with all applicable training needs and HTA changes. Actively support, review and assist with all policies and procedures for the mortuary service and measure performance against published standards / KPIs to ensure all activities meet all regulatory and legislative requirements. (HTA, SOPs, RA, Health, safety and mental well-being policies). Member of the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technicians is recommended.
20. To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing, and storage of deceased patient and other laboratory information including the cross referencing of patient information with a request for an identification. Understand all patient information holds complex and sensitive data that must be accurate as it may have legal implications.
21. Undertake heavy manual handling daily using a safe system of work employing equipment as needed; pat slides and mechanised equipment: electro-hydraulic lifting equipment. Always assess the load and seek assistance from colleagues when needed, e.g. lateral transfers, rolling and manoeuvring equipment. Be aware of the appropriate action if there is a spillage of body fluids or hazardous chemicals to minimise the risk to staff and the public.
22. Always wear the appropriate uniform and PPE and ensure you present a smart, clean, tidy appearance and carry out any additional duties, when there is a known or potential risk of infection, that limitations are recognised, and guidance is requested and followed.
23. To undertake any other work appropriate to the level and general nature of the posts duties.
24. Where necessary for the job role or appropriate for continued development in the role, the post holder may be required to participate in training and development courses made available via the Councils Apprentice Levy funding.
25. To undertake all duties with due regard to the provisions of health and safety regulations and legislation, Data Protection/GDPR, the Councils Equal Opportunities and Customer Care policies.
26. To perform all duties in line with Councils staff values showing commitment to improving residents lives and opportunities, demonstrating respect and fairness, taking ownership, working towards doing things better and working together across the council.
27. You may be required to undertake alternative, additional or ancillary duties from time to time or transfer to another service department within the Council as the Council may reasonably direct to meet service user demand in the event of a crisis or emergency.
28. Initiate and manage all duties in a manner that respects the environment and to positively reduce environmental impacts, minimise waste and recycle materials wherever possible, in association with the Councils Carbon Neutral Plan objectives.
29. This post requires an Enhanced DBS and will be supported by Safer Recruitment tools.
