Job summary
To provide a professional, proactive and sensitive service to bereaved relatives, whilst ensuring the Trust's statutory obligations are fulfilled. To take responsibility in continuously review practice and develop policies which incorporate national guidance and Human Tissue Authority Legislation. To work closely with other key professionals both within and outside the Trust in order to meet individual needs. To promote an awareness of bereavement issue within a multi faith, multi-cultural environment.

Main duties of the job

• To deputise for the Head of Service
• Organise and participate in routine and specialised postmortem provision ensuring HTA compliance at all times.
• Organise and participate in all other aspects of mortuary and bereavement services ensuring the effective, professional, cost-effective service.
• Overseeing the day to day running of the mortuary and bereavement office.
• To manage the bereavement supervisor and ensure the smooth running of the service in accordance with KCH guidelines and recommendations.
• Liaison with external agencies including the coroners office, Police, GPs, Treasury Solicitors, councils and financial institutions.
• Ensure efficient and professional liaison with clinical, nursing and clerical staff and all other Trust staff
• To work with the Head of Service in ensuring that all SOPs, risk assessments and audits are undertaken and updated as in line with departmental, Trust and HTA policies.
• To ensure there is a robust system in place for the sensitive disposal of POCs, ensuring compliance with Trust policy and national guidelines.
• To ensure all organs, tissue, blood and other samples are appropriately labelled, recorded and tracked and disposal records maintained.
• To take a leading role in Health and Safety ensuring safe and appropriate working practises within the department.
• Undertake staff appraisals for all levels of APTs and bereavement supervisor.
• Ensure the department provides a sensitive and professional viewing and identification service to the bereaved.
• To support the Head of Service in the production of staff rotas covering post mortem provision, emergency on call, annual leave etc.
• Maintain cleaning/disinfection/maintenance of the department, ensuring the creation and maintaining of cleaning and maintenance records.
• Participate in departmental meetings.
• Ensure the maintenance of appropriate records within the department mortuary register, Eden, equipment servicing, fridge/freezer temperatures, cleaning etc, ensuring compliance with HTA and codes of practice and standards.
• Participate in on call service rota.
• Ensure cultural and religious beliefs are respected and complied with at all times.
• Participate in the future development plans of Mortuary and Bereavement services

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• RSPH Diploma and Certificate in Anatomical Pathology Technology Level 4 Qualification
• RSci/CSci Accredited or AHCS registered
• Management experience

Desirable

• Management qualification

Skills
Essential

• Substantial skills in routine and specialised post mortems
• Anatomical and Forensic Knowledge
• A strong sense of personal and team accountability coupled to a clear understanding of the boundaries around delegated authority
• Training and teaching skills
• Experience of reporting and managing HTARIS

Experience
Essential

• Excellent knowledge of clinical governance, HTA and Health and Safety legislation
• Experience of working with bereavement services
• Be able to deal with the physical and emotional aspects of work in the mortuary and bereavement services

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Closing date: 18 November 2026
Apply through our website