MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Managerial 

• To be responsible for the supervision and organisation of the day to day running of the mortuary. 
• The development of and implementation of agreed departmental polices and standard operating procedures. 
• To organise and maintain adequate staff cover at all times during the working day. 
• To work with the technical manager and Head of Service in ensuring the optimum performance and quality of the mortuary. This will include developing and working in line with agreed key performance indicators. 
• To be responsible for developing and sustaining own knowledge, technical skills and professional awareness. 
• To conduct staff appraisals as required at least annually, addressing development needs and monitoring performance and supporting their development. 
• To maintain a timely and accurate record of all activity and an accurate mortuary database and LIMS. 
• To monitor stock levels of reagents, consumables and carry out ordering on the Unit 4 system. 
• Responsible for work allocation of the mortuary team 

Technical:

• To act as expert within the mortuary service ensuring that the team appropriately trained and supported to fulfil their responsibilities. 
• Active participation in the work of the mortuary including having responsibility for the receipt and storage of the deceased from the hospital and the community. 
• To ensure that facilitate the bodies are to undertakers in a timely fashion. 
• Preparation of bodies for dissection by pathologists and reconstruction of bodies to a good aesthetic standard. 
• Use of the electro-hydraulic mortuary trolley hoist and cold storage system. 
• Ensure timely release of organs to undertakers with completion of necessary paperwork. 
• Involved in the checking of details of foetal containers and relevant paperwork. 
• Carrying out surgical evisceration, diagnostic and patient reconstruction processes in the post mortem room suite in accordance with mortuary policies. Carry out all relevant post mortem procedures on patients which are in an advanced state of mechanical disruption or decomposition. 
• Able to make decisions on appropriate advanced dissection techniques in certain situations and be able to assess infection risks and act appropriately. 
• Carry out decontamination and sterilisation procedures of the post mortem suite, all instruments, equipment, ventilated tables, autopsy tables and hard surfaces. 
• To maintain high standards of presentation of bodies for viewing ensuring that arrangements are made for viewing bodies, dealing with bereaved relatives sympathetically and with empathy regarding sensitive situations. 
• Book and arrange viewings liaising with the Bereavement Office. 
• To work within the latest rules and procedures of mortuary practice complying with the HTA standards, keeping up to date with current legislation with regard to mortuary practice, post mortem procedures and organ retention. 
• Carry out pacemaker removal. 
• To organise maintenance calibration of mortuary and post-mortem equipment as necessary and to identify, problems relating to equipment. 

Skills Knowledge and experience 

• Certificate in Anatomical Pathology Technology or equivalent
• Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or equivalent
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
• Recent extensive experience in a busy adult mortuary environment. 
• Sound practical and theoretical knowledge in all aspects of autopsy practice and mortuary services.
• Knowledge of the DOH guidelines for Mortuary and Post Mortems including HTA and UKAS.
• Understanding of the safe use and maintenance of various pieces of equipment. 
• Experience in assisting the Consultant Pathologists with post mortem examinations, undertaking evisceration and reconstructing the deceased. 
• Experience of managing of leading and developing a cohesive and supported team.
• Knowledge of Coronial system, consent procedures.