Service Lead for Mortuary and Bereavement

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.

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.