Band 4 Mortuary Technician

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain a professional behaviour at all times and promote a positive image of Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust at all times, in line with the World Class Care Values.
• Contribute to providing a professional mortuary service, working effectively as a team member as part of the overall department.
• Work as part of the mortuary team and provide a high standard of care for deceased patients within the adult, paediatric and perinatal mortuary serivces.
• To identify, troubleshoot and rectify any issues which may arise in the mortuary department.
• Actively participate in the quality Management System and be familiar with the all Standard Operating Procedures.  To produce, personally comply with and ensure other comply with all departmental standard operating procedures and risk assessments.
• To assist the Mortuary Manager in maintaining HTA licence status and maintinaing equipment on a day-to-day basis in accordance with policies/procedures and in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines.
• Ensure that rules and agreed guidelines regarding tissue retention and disposal of human tissue are adhered to.
• Facilitate the retrieval of tissues for transplant by exteranl organisations as the need arises and so far as is reasonably practicable.
• Receive telephone calls in an efficient, professional manner.

2. RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENTS & THEIR FAMILIES

• Focus on patient and family centred care in the provision of the mortuary service.
• Responsible for dealing with the receipt and relase of all deceased patients, including measuring, checking for vaulables and the condition of patients in accordance with standard operatign procedures.
• To maintain the dignity of deceased patients and an atmosphere of reverence at all times.
• To prepare deceased patients for viewings in accordance with standard operating procedures and taking in to account cultural and religious requirements.
• To maintain a professional and sensitive approach when dealing with distressed relatives in difficult circumstances.
• Ensure relatives visiting the mortuary are treated in a sympathetic and caring manner, taking in to account their cultural and religious requirements.
• To work cohesively with all members of the department team in ensuring that the very best services to patients are provided at all times.

3. RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

• To act in accordance with Trust policies such as Infection Prevention and Control, Confidentiality, Health & Safety and Equal Opportunities.
• Actively input into departmental policies and procedures and reinforce their use.
• To work within the contraints of the Human tissue Act and the medico-legal aspects of the Coroner’s service when handling sensitive information.

4. RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES

• Ensure adequate stock control and appropriate use of reagents, consumables and equipment within the working area is maintained.
• Maintain records and receipt of cheques payments from Funeral Directors for cremation fees and confirm signatures and receipt cheques.
• Help the department to identify and meet finance improvement measures.

5. RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEADING AND MANAGING

• To supervise visitors, eg. Doctors and other staff, to the mortuary department in close liaison with the Mortuary Manager.
• Undertake duties to assist in the delivery of the Bereavement Service. This will include facilitation of completion of cremation forms, the correct completion of Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and issuing to the bereaved and also provide viewing appointments.
• Record and report all incidents/complaints involving staff, patients and visitors in accordance with Trust policies and assist in any investigations as required.

6. RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION RESOURCES

• Maintain record keeping and document control pertaining to the Quality Management Systems in place. Use of IT systems including Q-Pulse, Microsoft Excel and Word to maintain records is expected.
• Organise and facilitate the completion of legal documentation surrounding all aspects of death including all documentation for request for HMC post mortem and informed consent post mortem.
• Maintain all records in relation to retention of specimens in line with HTA guidelines, Coronial and Royal College of Pathologists guidelines.

7. RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESERARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Assist in any relevant departmental or national research projects, for example obtaining samples.
• Assist in trial of new equipment and instruments.

8. COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

• Communicate and difficulties, problems, accidents or incidents affecting the department to the Mortuary/Service Delivery Manager promptly.
• To liaise with the Police Authority to assist their staff in any investigation as required, including fingerprinting etc.
• Demonstrate working practices to groups and individuals as appropriate.
• Participate in departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.
• Assist in training of personnel from other departments and outside establishments.

9. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITES

• Undertake appropriate training and development so as to comply with the requirements of the Trust.
• Maintain a training/competency record in accordance with departmental standard operating procedures and documentation.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Infection Control

Infection control is everyone’s responsibility.  All staff, both clinical and non clinical, are required to adhere to the Trust’s Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures and the Health Act (2006) Code of Practice for the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the risk of Healthcare Associated infections.

It is the duty of every member of staff to take personal responsibility for the prevention and control of infection, as laid down in the Trust’s policies and procedures which reflect the statutory requirements of the Hygiene Code.

• To work in close collaboration with the Infection Control Team.
• To assist with the monitoring of clinical practice.
• To assist with the cleaning and maintenance of the department environments to the highest standards; ensuring that shortfalls are rectified, or escalated as necessary.
• To attend infection control-related educational sessions.