Mortuary Job description

To ensure the efficient running of all aspects of the mortuary and provide a high quality service to all users in conjunction with other anatomical pathology technicians. To give skilled assistance to pathologists carrying out post mortems.

To ensure the efficient running and documentation of the body store in line with policies. To work with bereavement and coroner’s officers to ensure the smooth running of the mortuary.

To work harmoniously with funeral directors ensuring the dignity of the deceased is maintained at all times.

To work alongside police, ambulance staff and transplant co-ordinators for the benefit of the deceased and their relatives.

To ensure that viewings of bodies for the bereaved are performed in an appropriate and dignified manner.

To ensure that police identification of bodies are performed in an appropriate and dignified manner

1. Technical and Scientific

a. Assist in all aspects of mortuary work in accordance with / mortuary policies and Standard Operating Procedures.
b. Co-ordinate the reception and correct identification and storage of all bodies admitted to the mortuary and ensure hygienic and safe storage until body removed.
c. Follow the standard operating procedures and to participate in their regular review and update.
d. Undertake routine operative maintenance on mortuary instruments.
e. Plan and organise their work within the demands of the team and under supervision.
f. Assist the pathologist and other anatomical pathology technicians at post mortem including dissection techniques as instructed by pathologist..
g. Provide information to appropriate medical staff on deceased bodies.
h. Ensure the effective reconstruction and cosmetic presentation of bodies after post mortem to a high standard. Ensure effective cosmetic presentation of bodies that are for storage only.
i. Ensure effective reconstruction and cosmetic presentation of bodies for police identification purposes, following extreme trauma e.g Road traffic accident, suicide from Beachy Head and persons hit by trains etc.
j. Correctly retrieve and label tissues requested for donation. Organise transport and storage of the tissues. Complete necessary administration in liaison with the transplant co-ordinator.
k. Correctly collect and label specimens taken at post mortem and transport them to the specific laboratory for further analysis.
l. Report any instance or event which may cause a service delivery failure.
m. Ensure disinfection and cleaning of post mortem room in accordance with departmental policies. Clean, sterilise and maintain all equipment as necessary in order that it will perform to set standards
n. Ensure all areas within the mortuary are kept clean and tidy. Ensure the refrigerated body stores are kept clean.
o. Report fault or incidents to the Mortuary Lead or in his/her absence the Lead BMS Cellular Pathology. Record and report daily activities to all mortuary staff and if necessary to the Technical Manager.
p. Ensure the maintenance of accurate records of all mortuary registers and computer systems in accordance with mortuary policy to ensure the retrieval of records for reference and statistical purposes.
q. Ensure maintenance of all aspects of security, confidentiality and health & safety policies and procedures in order to provide a safe and secure environment for all staff and visitors.
r. Maintain and control adequate supplies of instruments, stores, linen and consumables.
s. Ensure the standard operating procedures for transportation of bodies within the mortuary and s are correctly adhered to.
t. Liase with appropriate staff and coroner’s officers to arrange viewings and identification of bodies.
u. Assist with removal procedures of bodies from the mortuary by correctly identifying the body required for removal by the funeral director.
v. Keep abreast of relevant scientific information, trends and developments and be trained as necessary to maintain and improve mortuary procedures.
w. Remove cardiac implants when required by the and clean them prior to disposal.
x. Liase closely with the obstetrics and Histology department to ensure the safe and sensitive handling of foetal and perinatal cases according to policy.
y. Participate in the mortuary ‘on call’ rota if required
z. If required, provide out of hours technical assistance in the mortuary to the police, coroner’s officer, Home office pathologist, transplant co-ordinator and major incident co-ordinators.
aa. Maintain a professional approach to work and maintain a good working relationship with all staff, funeral directors, police, ambulance staff and coroner’s officers and ensure that all enquires are dealt with courteously.
bb. Participate in the training of inexperienced staff in accordance with the departmental training scheme to enable them to acquire the required standard of knowledge and technical ability to perform their tasks independently, accurately and to statutory requirements.

2. Diagnostic

a. Apply acquired knowledge in the preparation of body for post mortem in order that the pathogenic and clinical significance of results are determined, including:

• Preparing the body by evisceration (removal of organs from the deceased)
• Weighing of organs from the evisceration process.
• Transporting tissues for histological examination to the Histology laboratory
• Preparing, packaging and transporting other body tissues and fluids for further laboratory investigations.

Concentration and attention to detail are essential to these processes, which form the greater part of the working day.

b. Interpret a patient notes to determine if a post mortem should be carried out in normal mortuary facilities. i.e.

• Checking patient notes for high-risk conditions which may affect the post mortem.
• Checking G5 (coroner’s request for post mortem) for high risk which may affect the post mortem.

This is complex, sensitive information that must be accurate, as it may have medico legal implications. It relies on the individual’s own judgement to interpret complex medical terminology. The knowledge and skills required to fulfil this role are through the theoretical knowledge and formal training accrued over several years working in the mortuary.

3. Laboratory Informatics

a. Comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
b. Use the Laboratory Information System (LIMS) according to the authorised protocols.
c. Responsible for data entry into the LIMS.
d. Maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases in accordance with policies.

4. Administrative
a. Ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK).
b. Comply with good work practices required for the standards of Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) including Health and Safety
c. Undertake work file management to ensure that all work is prepared within the agreed turnaround time.
d. Maintain databases as required by management
e. Assist the Mortuary Lead with the supervision of trainee APT.
f. Advise the Mortuary Lead when stocks of reagents and consumables are approaching minimum stock levels.
g. Arrange a convenient time for the relatives to view the deceased.
h. Liase with funeral directors for the collection of the deceased.

5. General

a. Observe and adhere to local and national health and safety policies.
b. Keep the workplace and fridge’s clean and tidy.
c. Maintain good work relations with all members of staff, and to promote effective teamwork.
d. Treat everyone associated with courtesy and respect.
e. Ensure compliance with all local and national standards of work practice e.g. Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK), Human Tissue Authority and Health and Safety Executive.
f. To maintain and promote the professional image of the Mortuary.
g. Be prepared to work on either site

Qualifications / Training

Certificate of Anatomical Pathology and Technology (Institute of Public Health and Hygiene).

Experience

Significant mortuary experience

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Good Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and procedures as applied in the mortuary.
Sound knowledge and experience of Good Mortuary Practice.
Good Communications and interpersonal skills. Capable of working as part of a team.
Working on own initiative and managing own workload.
Good concentration skills.
Good timekeeping.
Must have a strong disposition
Must not be squeamish
Capable of working under pressure.
Capable of working in difficult environmental conditions

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Mortuary Job description