Trainee Mortuary and Bereavement Support Assistant

NHS; Luton, Bedford; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job description

Trainee Mortuary and Bereavement Support Assistant

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and resilient individual to join the Mortuary & Bereavement service at Bedfordshire hospitals.

Successful candidates will assist in all routine activities with the mortuary and bereavement service. In-house training will be given, along with opportunities to develop the skills required to provide a high-quality service to deceased patients and bereaved families in the community.

This post is cross-site at Bedfordshire hospitals. Successful candidates will be required to work to a rota covering both sites: Bedford Hospital and The Luton & Dunstable Hospital.

Successful candidates who meet agreed targets within the 12-month contract will have the opportunity to attain the Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology.

Main duties of the job

Assisting the Mortuary & Bereavement Office Team in coordinating the day-to-day functions of the Mortuary & Bereavement Service. This will involve:

1. Carrying out the administrative procedures required in relation to patient deaths, including reception duties, admission/discharge of deceased patients.
2. Assisting in providing correct, informative support and advice to bereaved relatives.
3. Assisting with preparing the deceased for post-mortem, viewings, and identifications.
4. Contributing to maintaining a high-quality service through evaluation and monitoring.
5. Assisting the Mortuary & Bereavement Office Team in developing the service in response to Trust requirements and national initiatives.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity, and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high-performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region, you will have access to a program of high-quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

Our Values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience; we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust's core values. We achieve this by using values-based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, and we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when a sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering the first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job; please review for the full details and responsibilities.

1. Provide comprehensive and clear information, advice, and practical support to patients, bereaved families, friends, and staff about procedures following death. Where required, assist with locating and distribution of patient property.
2. Ensure that there is effective two-way communication between the Mortuary & Bereavement Service and external agencies such as His Majesty's Coroners Office, The Registry Office, provide data for the Office of National Statistics, crematoria and cemeteries locally, Funeral Directors, Local Council, and the Police as required.
3. Support the Mortuary & Bereavement Office Team in ensuring that documentation used by the service is consistent and of high quality.
4. Comply with Policies and Procedures commensurate to the role.
5. Ensure the Deceased Patient Check List is completed, appropriately signed, and dated.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Evidence of a good level of education to include GCSE grade C in Mathematics and English or equivalent.
• Knowledge of Windows and Excel.

Experience

• Experience of working to deadlines and managing own workload to meet the needs of a service.
• Experience of working within a team.
• Able to work alone.
• Experience of working within Mortuary and Bereavement Service.
• Experience in a secondary care environment.
• Experience in a healthcare setting.

Knowledge

• Understanding of the need for confidentiality awareness at all times.
• Able to empathise with people.
• Knowledge of NHS administrative systems, admission, patient information systems, hospital departments, clerical/office procedures, data input procedures.

Personal Skills

• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Able to work well under pressure.
• Open and honest nature.
• Ability to multi-task.

Other

• Ability to work in a stressful environment.
• Ability to adapt daily routine and to multi-task.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Able to cope with an occasional requirement for physical effort and lifting of objects (5kg or over).
• Able to work alone and make decisions commensurate with the responsibilities of the role.

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.

Address

Bedfordshire Hospitals Cross-site - Luton & Dunstable Hospital and Bedford Hospital
Bedford Hospital South Wing, Kempston Road, Bedford MK42 9DJ

Deputy Mortuary and Bereavement Services Manager
Bedfordshire Hospitals Cross-site - Luton & Dunstable Hospital and Bedford Hospital
Bedford Hospital South Wing, Kempston Road, Bedford MK42 9DJ