Mortuary Assistant

To participate in the routine duties of the Mortuary / Body Store in a supporting role, as part of a team, under the direction and supervision of the Mortuary / Body Store Supervisor with a Mortuary / Body Store support role ensuring compliance with Trust and Departmental Policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). To receive, identify and measure bodies within the Mortuary / Body Store. This will involve manual handling and the operation of body moving equipment. The post holder would be expected to liaise with Trust Portering staff to ensure that bodies from clinical areas are moved and transferred to storage in appropriate manner.

Bodies may be oversize (bariatric) and consequently difficult to handle. To attend and prepare potentially infectious and leaking bodies e.g. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B / C (Hep B / Hep C), Tuberculosis (TB) etc. in line with all relevant Trust Policies, Procedures and Guidelines.

Maintain appropriate Mortuary / Body Store records including demographics of the deceased, infection risk and the presence or absence of jewellery / personal items. Preparation of bodies for viewing by making them as presentable as possible in order to limit distress caused to grieving / distressed relatives. Liaise with relatives in order to make viewing arrangements and answer any queries they may have. Accompany relatives, where necessary, into the Viewing Room providing support as required and treating them with courtesy and consideration.

Perform the removal of pacemakers from bodies where necessary. This will entail identification of the device and extraction utilising basic surgical skills whilst limiting the detrimental effect on the appearance of the deceased. Release of bodies to Funeral Directors ensuring that correct documentation is maintained in line with Trust Policies and Procedures. To arrange for babies and / or placentas to be collected and returned from Birmingham Womens Hospital NHS Trust following paediatric post mortem examination.

Deal with telephone calls relating to Mortuary / Body Store service. Liaise with clinical staff needing to view bodies to confirm identification and complete Cremation Forms. To assist with the quarterly recording and sensitive disposal of non-viable foetal remains. To collect notes / paperwork from Trust Bereavement Office and other areas of the Trust as required.

To participate in housekeeping duties in the Mortuary / Body Store in order to maintain a clean, tidy and safe working environment. To dispose of all types of waste in an appropriate manner. This will include ensuring the disposal of contaminated materials (clinical waste). To participate in the monitoring of stocks of consumables by alerting a senior member of staff to any shortfalls.

Use resources efficiently and cost effectively. Participate in the maintenance and use of Mortuary / Body Store equipment under supervision and in the preparation of reagents as outlined in Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Ensure that reagents are prepared, stored and used according to manufacturer guidelines and in line with Mortuary / Body Store procedures. Ensure that appropriate preventative maintenance and calibration has been carried out and recorded on Mortuary / Body Store equipment prior to being used as required.

Ensure that all equipment failures are recorded in line with Departmental and Trust Policies. Promptly report any incidents / accidents and near miss occurrences in accordance with Departmental and Trust Policies and Procedures. Where Mortuary / Body Store activities are low the post holder will be expected to work in the Bereavement Centre depending on the demands of the service and following appropriate training and competency assessment