Mortuary and Bereavement Officer in Wrexham

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Pathology Department at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for a full-time Mortuary and Bereavement Officer to work in the Mortuary at our Wrexham Maelor Hospital site. The post-holder will undertake a range of duties to ensure the smooth running of a very busy mortuary service and become an integral member of the team.

Responsibilities:

• Organise and coordinate the daily caseload to ensure that required tasks are undertaken and completed in a timely manner.
• Receive and release bodies, ensuring that they meet quality standards of identification and documentation as defined in Standard Operating Procedures.
• Prepare and measure bodies and lay them out in the viewing facility for relatives, friends or police.
• Deal with telephone and other enquiries relating to the service both from inside and outside the UHB, dealing with queries efficiently and politely.
• Liaise with the Medical Examiner Service and doctors to ensure the completion of death certificates as required.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene within the mortuary and associated areas.
• Clean and disinfect equipment and report any problems to the departmental manager.
• Undertake assessment of infection risks on bodies received in the mortuary.
• Exert moderate to intense physical effort when manoeuvring the mortuary trolley, especially when transporting bodies; loads may exceed 15 kg.

Qualifications – Essential:

• NVQ Level 2 in Customer Service or equivalent qualification or demonstrate skills, knowledge and experience to equivalency.
• Knowledge and understanding of death registration and statutory duties.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Medical Examiners Office.
• Knowledge of the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) structures.
• Knowledge of customs of other faiths and ethnic groups surrounding death.
• Experience of working in the care of the deceased.
• Proven record of excellent communication skills.
• Excellent telephone and communication skills.
• Good time-management and organisational skills.
• Must be able to drive as the role requires the post holder to drive a private ambulance.
• Ability to demonstrate compassion and empathy when dealing with the deceased and their relatives.
• Good general literacy and numeracy skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative with minimum supervision.
• Must hold a current Driving Licence.
• Ability to travel within the geographical area in a timely manner.
• Satisfactory DBS clearance.

Qualifications – Desirable:

• Proven record of working with distressed and bereaved clients.
• Ability to speak or learn Welsh to a satisfactory level (level 3).

The Board is committed to promoting equality and diversity and is proud to welcome applicants under the Disability Confident Employer scheme.