Mortuary Assistant

We are seeking an enthusiastic and suitably qualified Mortuary assistant to join our Mortuary Team at New Cross Hospital Wolverhampton.

The role principally involves the administration management of the deceased patient which includes Adults, Children, Babies and non-viable foetuses, from initial receipt of the details from the Mortuary through to collection by Funeral Directors.

There is a requirement for efficiency, flexibility and accurate record keeping.

Manual Handling of the deceased is part of the Mortuary duties as will preparing the deceased for viewings by relatives and checking the bodies on a frequent basis for any bodily fluid leakages and cleaning the bodies in our preparation room. Pacemakers have to be removed by extraction utilising basic surgical skills.

Applicants must have a minimum of GCSE Mathematics and English or equivalent and a basic Biology or Science-Based qualification.

Although prior experience in the same or related field will be an advantage, the successful applicant will be required to undertake a comprehensive in-house training and competency programme on commencement of employment.

Routine duties of the Mortuary / Body Store in a supporting role, as part of a team.

R

Receive and identify bodies within the Mortuary. This will involve manual

handling and the operation of body moving equipment. To include Bariatric

patients.

Prepare potentially infectious and leaking bodies

Maintain appropriate Mortuary records demographics of the deceased,

infection risk and the presence of jewellery / personal items.

Preparation of bodies for viewing, accompany relatives into the Viewing

Room providing support as required and treating them with courtesy and

consideration.

Perform the removal of pacemakers from bodies, utilising basic surgical

skills.

Release of bodies to Funeral Directors.

Arrange for babies and / or placentas to be collected and returned from

Birmingham Women’s Hospital following PM examination.

Deal with telephone calls relating to Mortuary / Body Store service.

Participate in housekeeping duties in the Mortuary.

Dispose of all types of waste in an appropriate manner. This will include

ensuring the disposal of contaminated materials (clinical waste).

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.

Promptly report any incidents / accidents and near miss occurrences.

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the West Midlands providing primary, acute and community services and we are incredibly proud of the diversity of both our staff and the communities we serve. We are building a workforce that can help us to fulfil our values, improve the quality of care for patients, and solve the health care problems of tomorrow. We’re passionate about the value that diversity of thinking and lived experience brings in enabling us to become a learning organisation and leader in delivering compassionate care for our patients.

We are delighted that we have been rated as “Good” by CQC. We have achieved numerous awards; The Nursing Times Best Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Best UK Employer of the Year for Nursing Staff in 2020.

The Trust is a supportive working environment committed to creating flexible working arrangements that suit your needs and as such will consider all requests from applicants who wish to work flexibly.

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