Mortuary Assistant

Location - Croydon

Rate of Pay - £13.65 per hour

Temporary - ongoing

Do you hold an enhanced DBS which is currently on the update service?

Have you got previous experience in a mortuary setting?

We have a truly unique opportunity available to work as a Mortuary Assistant helping within a busy department in a hospital environment, you will be required to have a driving licence for this role.

Duties and responsibilities:

• To run a safe, secure, effective and comprehensive mortuary and post mortem service.
• Ensure all deceased are treated with respect and dignity at all times.
• To engage in all aspects of the technical work of the autopsy room as requested by the pathologist on duty including post-mortem provisions, reconstructions, etc.
• To set up and operate a range of mortuary equipment.
• To participate in regular manual handling procedures.
• The transfer of the deceased across the hospital site.
• To input data into the Cerner computer system and mortuary database.
• Maintain consent forms and other documentation to a high standard.
• To help maintain accurate records.
• To prepare the deceased for formal identification and viewing by relatives.
• To dispose of clinical waste.
• To help plan and organise autopsies and viewings, liaising with staff in the Bereavement Office.
• To help ensure the timely transit of bodies through the mortuary to prevent full occupancy of the refrigeration space at and around times of public holidays or in winter months.
• Manage and maintain coroner’s paperwork, including post-mortem histories, identification forms and results.
• To adapt to the unpredictable nature of workload/trends such as a major incident, disaster or pandemic.
• Manage the Cerner computer system and mortuary database regarding the individual deceased length of stay and transfer to deep freeze.
• To engage in general mortuary cleaning, maintaining scrupulous cleanliness, and good hygiene in the mortuary and refrigeration areas.
• To work as part of the team, which may include covering other members of the Mortuary team
• To participate in the on-call rota.

Skills and Experience

• Previous experience in a mortuary setting a must
• Full driving licence with access to own transport and to drive a mortuary transport vehicle
• Must be able to assemble and use heavy lifting equipment to manoeuvre and dissect bariatric bodies, which are frequently over 20 stone in weight
• Certificate/Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or extensive experience carrying out the duties of an anatomical pathology technician is essential
• Knowledge of current Mortuary practice
• Must be able to work outside of normal working hours as required
• Computer literate
• Good verbal communication skills with the ability to be sensitive, tactful, and diplomatic
• Ability to liaise effectively with others (relatives of the deceased, the police, etc)
• Full driving licence with access to own transport and to drive a mortuary transport vehicle