Service Lead for Mortuary and Bereavement in London

The post holder will be the Service Lead for Mortuary and Bereavement ensuring that day to day running of the service is achieved at a high standard. There will be interaction and occasional cross site working with the sister service at the Princess Royal Site.

Main duties of the job

• To deputise for the Head of Services.
• Organise and participate in routine and specialised post mortem provision ensuring HTA compliance at all times.
• Organise and participate in all other aspects of mortuary and bereavement services ensuring the effective, professional, cost effective service.
• Oversee the day to day running of the mortuary and bereavement office.
• Manage the bereavement supervisor and ensure the smooth running of the service in accordance with KCH guidelines and recommendations.
• Work with the Head of Service to ensure that all SOPs, risk assessments and audits are undertaken and updated in line with departmental, Trust and HTA policies.
• Ensure a robust system is in place for the sensitive disposal of POCs, ensuring compliance with Trust policy and national guidelines.
• Ensure all organs, tissue, blood and other samples are appropriately labelled, recorded and tracked and disposal records maintained.
• Take a leading role in Health and Safety ensuring safe and appropriate working practices within the department.
• Undertake staff appraisals for all levels of APTs and bereavement supervisor.
• Ensure the department provides a sensitive and professional viewing and identification service to the bereaved.
• Support the Head of Service in the production of staff rotas covering post mortem provision, emergency on call, annual leave etc.
• Participate in on call service rota.

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

• Support the Head of Service in ensuring that the mortuary and bereavement service delivers a quality and responsive service to King's NHS Foundation Trust and associated stakeholders and partners.
• Take an active role in analysing demand and capacity, suggest service configurations which will make the most efficient use of available resources.
• Assist in representing the mortuary and bereavement services for issues relating to outside agencies and partners.
• Train, encourage, and motivate staff and facilitate co-operative interaction to assist in their own self‑development.
• Assist in all areas of staff management including staff rotas (post mortem, on call, annual leave etc), sickness absence and training.

QUALITY

• Take the lead role in quality and maintain a quality management system to ensure the department’s obligations for HTA compliance.
• Ensure all staff are aware of and competent in the provision of the standards of HTA and Trust policies.
• Set objectives and review performance of staff, identifying individual training and development needs and promote continued personal and professional development.
• Manage staff sickness, disciplinary and performance issues in line with Trust policies.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant Trust policies and standing financial instructions.
• Ensure effective workplace planning, anticipate staff shortages and take action to minimise the impact of these on service delivery.
• Assist and support organisational change within the mortuary and bereavement services to ensure efficient service delivery and productivity, and compliance with Trust and HTA standards.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

• Assist in resolving day‑to‑day management issues within the mortuary and bereavement services.
• Assist with specific projects (short‑term and long‑term).
• Assist in communicating and engaging with senior management teams across the organisation on complex issues to agree strategic objectives.

RISK AND CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

• Oversee the implementation of effective systems, control processes and risk management arrangements in mortuary and bereavement services, including developing specific policies/procedures as appropriate.
• Actively participate with the Designated Individual (D.I) to ensure HTA compliance.
• Understand and interpret Trust and HTA standards to ensure implementation of local policies and compliance with legislation/targets within the designated service.
• Lead with developing systems for the monitoring of compliance with internal and external governance, HTA, UKAS and best practice requirements.
• Produce audit timetables and ensure regular audits within the department.
• Assist with conflict resolution from the bereaved, staff, other internal and external service providers and partner organisations in mortuary and bereavement services.
• Assist with investigations and respond to complaints in line with Trust policy.
• Ensure prompt and accurate incident reporting.

STRATEGY AND SERVICE IMPROVEMENT

• Participate in Trust programmes that contribute to the modernisation of mortuary services.
• Assist with capital programmes which will support the strategic development of the department.
• Assist specific strategic objectives to enable the delivery of the strategic aims of the service both within the business plan and longer term strategies.
• Take part in reporting compliments, complaints and risks in Governance meetings.

R&D, TEACHING & TRAINING

• Provide support in the development and implementation of R&D education and training programmes within mortuary and bereavement services.
• Work with other senior staff in performing regular audits/surveys to support and inform service development.
• Along with the Head of Services create and deliver training to internal and external staff in the procedures within the mortuary.
• Hold training sessions, produce training programmes, maintain training records and participate in induction courses for trust staff, providing information on bereavement and mortuary services.

FINANCE

• Assist in maintaining budgetary control of the mortuary and bereavement services.

Person specification

• Level 4 or Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology.
• Routine post mortems.
• Forensic post mortems.
• Dealing with products of conception.
• Working within the bereavement department.
• Managing a team.
• Training trainees in Level 3 and 4 criteria.
• Training and presenting on mortuary and bereavement service.
• Liaising with Coroners officers.
• Liaising with stakeholders.
• Experience in improving mortuary and bereavement services for users.
• Experience in dealing with complaints.
• Continue with professional development.
• Working with the Medical Examiners Office.
• Member of Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology.

Important

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you.
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications.
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert.
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible.
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy.
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.