Mortuary Support Worker (XR03) in Leeds

Applications are invited from an enthusiastic and motivated individual for a full-time permanent support worker post in the Mortuaries. The position will be a rotating post, involving working at the LGI & SJUH mortuaries. As a Mortuary support worker you will be expected to assist with the care and handling of deceased patients and to liaise with bereaved relatives, funeral directors and other external agencies. No prior experience is required but an understanding of mortuary processes would be an advantage. Full in-house training and supervision will be given. The post is suitable for someone who is highly motivated, driven and a good teamworker. This is a challenging, varied role in a busy and sometimes distressing environment. You will be required to demonstrate high levels of sensitivity and confidentiality, good verbal, physical and written communication skills. Interviews are planned for w/c 9th March.

Main duties of the job

• Working in the Mortuaries at LTHT the post holder will provide support to a team of Anatomical Pathology Technologists, medical staff and some external stakeholders.
• Assist with admin tasks within the mortuary such as booking in and release records of patients, daily work lists for bereavement, escalation lists.
• Prepare deceased patients for viewing and making arrangements with their relatives and Coroner's officer if appropriate.
• Assist with receipt/release of deceased patients and maintain accurate dispatch/receipt records.
• Assist in the monitoring, cleaning and maintenance of mortuary and equipment.
• Demonstrate relevant job related tasks to new or more junior staff.
• Adhere to all departmental SOPs, policies, H&S regulations and data protection.
• Arrange for the safe collection and transportation of human tissue and samples.
• Subject to consultation you may be required to undertake additional tasks in support of the general management of the department.

About us

The department provides the Mortuary and Postmortem services for the Trust and H.M. Coroner for Leeds from the mortuaries at the LGI and SJUH as well as providing Histopathology, Andrology, Immunohistochemistry, Muscle, Molecular, Non Gynae Cytology services for Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust. We process circa 60,000 surgical, 2,000 autopsy, 3,000 andrology cases and 6,000 non-gynaecological cytology cases per annum and are accredited by UKAS to ISO15189 standards. We are a continually improving department, striving for high quality staff and processes. As a training hospital we serve to expand the knowledge and skills of all grades of staff. There are plenty of opportunities to become involved in, and further development is encouraged. We endeavour to follow 'The Leeds Way' at all times, and our focus is to put the patient first at all times.

Job responsibilities

• To enter and retrieve patient information using the laboratory computer system.
• Assist with day to day administrative tasks within the mortuary such as booking in and release records of patients, daily work lists for bereavement, escalation lists.
• Prepare deceased patients for viewing and making arrangements with their relatives and Coroner's officer if appropriate.
• Assist with receipt/release of deceased patients and maintain accurate dispatch/receipt records.
• To assist in the day to day monitoring, cleaning and maintenance of mortuary equipment.
• Participate in mortuary cleaning and maintenance schedules.
• To ensure accurate record keeping of temperature monitoring charts, cleaning schedules, capacity and winter pressure monitoring.
• To contribute to general departmental management by assisting in the receipt and control of consumables.
• To demonstrate relevant job related tasks to new or more junior staff.
• To participate in laboratory audit processes to establish and maintain high standards of work in the office and to ensure effective liaison between the Mortuary and all its stakeholders.
• To be aware of the requirements of data protection and HTA guidelines.
• To adhere to all departmental standard operating procedures, policies and health and safety regulations.
• To keep the workplace and work areas clean and tidy.
• To control access to the Mortuary within working hours.
• To arrange for the safe collection and transportation of human tissue and samples and to maintain accurate records of dispatch and receipt.
• To ensure all training and competency records are kept up to date.
• Transfer of samples around the cellular pathology department.

Communication & Working Relationships

As the job holder you will communicate and work directly or indirectly with a diverse range of other staff. Those shown below are examples:

• Internal: Colleagues, supervisors and managers within the specialty; Pathology staff working in other specialties (e.g., Biomedical Scientists); Members of clinical teams including nurses, doctors and other practitioners; Administrative and secretarial staff; Estates and facilities staff; Bereavement staff.
• External: Staff in primary care facilities; Staff in other hospitals; Staff in non-NHS organizations (e.g., suppliers of consumables); Police Officers.

Special Working Conditions

You will be required to work in a mortuary environment under controlled conditions where chemical and biohazardous materials are handled. You will wear appropriate personal protective equipment and will receive training. Frequent periods of light and occasional periods of moderate physical activity related to stores management may be expected. The service is delivered from a number of different sites and you may be required, subject to consultation, to travel between sites.

Physical & Mental Effort

Physical effort: Regular requirement to sit at a PC and to be mobile for collection & delivery of samples, paperwork and stock. This job involves stock control and movement of goods up to 15kg; training may be provided to move equipment or consumables heavier than 15kg. There will also be a requirement to move patients for which moving and handling training will be provided.

Mental effort: The day-to-day repertoire is diverse and you may be asked to change tasks at short notice. Concentration is required on a daily basis when processing specimens; occasionally prolonged concentration may be required depending on workload.

Emotional effort: This is a mortuary based role dealing with deceased patients, so exposure to emotional circumstances is frequent.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Maths GCSE standard or equivalent qualification.
• English GCSE standard or equivalent qualification.
• Evidence of a willingness to undertake further in-house or formal training.
• Physically able to move between hospital sites.

Skills & Behaviours

• Basic computer skills.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Flexible approach to work.

Experience

• An understanding of health and safety in the workplace.
• An understanding of patient confidentiality.
• Experience of working in a mortuary.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.