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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

·         Receive, identify and store in secure, safe and hygienic conditions all bodies sent to the mortuary/post-mortem room. Ensure the safe keeping of clothing, property and valuables of the deceased and keep records when required. Maintain accurate records of all deceased and ensure all necessary paperwork is highly organised.

·         Personally process case notes; pathology request forms; death certificates, release and other forms

·         Carry out the safety precautions for the post-mortem room and mortuary recommended in the Cod of Practice promulgated by the Department of Health.

·         Prepare bodies for post-mortem examinations according to standard operating procedures and instructions from the pathologists and assist the pathologists during post-mortem. Assess appropriate advanced dissection techniques e.g. in RTA, suicides; and infection risks.

·         Perform Dissection and reconstruction, including suturing, of bodies; evisceration of organs; scalpel use suturing for facial reconstruction/ corneal retrieval and enucleation of eyes.  Reconstitute bodies after post-mortem examination. Obtain samples for diagnosis.  Receive, store and transmit specimens taken for analysis and laboratory examination according to COSHH and Health and Safety regulations.  Collect samples for national surveys, remove body parts for use in trials

·         Assist pathologists in the preparation of demonstrations of post-mortem tissues for teaching purposes

·         Develop a system for the safe receipt, storage and release of bodies as directed by the Head BMS and in accordance with standard operating procedures. Undertake the supervision of discharging of bodies to authorised funeral directors in accordance with departmental policies. Maintain accurate records. 

·         Participate in the testing of new equipment as directed by HOS/Head BMS

·         Assist the Lead Anatomical Pathology Technician in Professionally leading the development of ATO/APT staff at each of the East Kent Trust mortuaries including supervising and training of junior staff.

·         Participate in the Trust bereavement training programme by providing lectures

·         Assist in the development of rotas for the deployment of mortuary staff in East Kent within the framework set by the Head BMS/Lead Anatomical Pathology Technician.  Plan & organise work priorities.  Responsible for work allocation and checking.

·         Participate in East Kent on-call rota assisting the Coroner, police and pathologists work outside normal working hours.

·         Participate in the review and any changes to e.g. trust bereavement policy.  Ensure compliance with all Health and Safety policies and performance of work to Clinical Pathology Accreditation standards.

·         Ensure that mortuary premises and equipment are cleaned and disinfected daily and that each are adequately stocked with necessary consumables.

·         Manage the throughput of bodies at site mortuary, ensuring discharge targets set by the Head BMS are achieved and that each mortuary operates within capacity.

·         Maintain the dignity of the deceased at all times. Ensure that only accepted religious rites are observed in the mortuary as authorised.

·         Ensure adequate stocks of consumables in QEQMH mortuary through maintenance of a stock control system, standardization of consumables and requisitioning supplies when necessary.

·         Ensure that body viewing areas are kept clean and tidy.

·         Establish and maintain liaison with hospital staff, relatives, funeral directors, police and medical staff.

·         To deputise for the pathology quality manager as required, in conjunction with other discipline quality leads