Mortuary and Bereavement Officer

Job Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Pathology Department at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for full time Mortuary and Bereavement Officer to work in the Mortuary at our Wrexham Maelor Hospital site.

The post-holder will undertake a range of duties and contribute to the efficient and effective running of the mortuary service, working under their own initiative and prioritising their own workload to ensure the smooth running of a very busy service and become an integral member of the team.

The post holder is responsible for assisting in the provision of the Mortuary and Bereavement Services in terms of providing a service to pregnancy loss remains, the deceased and their relatives with a dignified,

sympathetic and empathetic approach.

The post will entail facilitating family and coroner viewings, overseeing the mortuary body stores and disposal of pregnancy loss remains, providing support to the service across the health board sites.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Main duties of the job

• Organise and co-ordinate the daily caseload to ensure that required tasks are undertaken and completed in a timely manner.
• Receive and release of bodies, ensuring that they meet quality standards of identification and documentation as defined in Standard Operating Procedures.
• Prepare and measure bodies. Prepare and lay out bodies in the viewing facility to be viewed by relatives, friends or police.
• Deal with telephone and other enquiries relating to the service both from inside and outside the UHB, dealing with queries efficiently and politely.
• Liaise with the Medical Examiner Service and doctors to ensure the completion of death certificates as required.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene within the mortuary and associated areas.
• Clean and disinfect equipment and report any problems to the departmental manager. Undertake assessment of infection risks on bodies received in the mortuary.
• Frequently, exert moderate physical effort on an ongoing basis throughout the shift, when manoeuvring the mortuary trolley and intense physical effort when there is a body on the trolley e.g. for release or viewing room. These weights are well in excess of 15kg even when the trolley is empty.

Working for our organisation

If you relish a challenge, have a passion to help others or simply fancy a fresh start, then Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) North Wales, has all the right ingredients. The largest health organisation in Wales, providing a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and elective hospital services for a population of around 700,000, across North Wales . Join our team and get the support you need, in line with our Organisational Values and ‘Proud to Lead’ competence framework.

Enjoy being part of working with engaged leadership at all levels, and be assured we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and are proud to welcome applicants under the “Disability Confident Employer” scheme.

Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• NVQ Level 2 in Customer Service or possess equivalent qualification or demonstrate skills, knowledge and experience to equivalency.

Knowledge

Essential Criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of death registration and statutory duties.
• Knowledge and understanding of Medical Examiners Office.
• Knowledge of the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) structures.
• Knowledge of customs of other faiths and ethnic groups surrounding death.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working in the care of the deceased.
• Proven record of excellent communication skills.

Desirable criteria

• Proven record of working in the care of the deceased.
• Experience record of working with distressed and bereaved clients.

Aptitude And Abilities

Essential criteria

• Excellent telephone and communication skills.
• Good time management and organisational skills.
• Must be able to drive as role requires post holder to drive private ambulance.
• Ability to demonstrate compassion and empathy when dealing with the deceased and their relatives.
• Good general literacy and numeracy skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative with minimum supervision.

Desirable criteria

• The ability to speak or learn Welsh to a satisfactory level (level 3)

Values

Essential Criteria

• Sympathetic. Empathetic. Diplomatic.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to prioritise competing demands.

Other

Essential criteria

• Must hold current Driving Licence to undertake duties of the role.
• Ability to travel within geographical area in a timely manner.
• Satisfactory DBS Clearance.