Deputy Mortuary and Bereavement Services Manager

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

  • The post holder will deputise for the Mortuary and Bereavement Services manager across all sites of the NWAFT.
  • The post holder is responsible for supporting all aspects of after death care including the assessment, planning and evaluation of direct interventions with users, monitoring and ensuring a positive, caring, professional service, and incorporating stakeholders and relatives’ feedback to improve quality of care delivery.
  • The post holder will provide specialist training for staff regarding the management of aftercare death processes and act as an effective role model and mentor for the professional delivery of the services, promoting excellence throughout practice.
  • The post holder will ensure dignified care of the deceased in line with the laws and the codes of practice relating to the mortuary and ensuring all staff adhere to them.
  • The post holder will be required to work alongside the Mortuary and Bereavement Services manager to ensure all sites within NWAFT are managed equally and all processes and procedures aligned.

 

Main duties of the job

This role requires regular cross-site working.

  • Support the Mortuary and Bereavement Manager in all aspects of service management, ensuring effective communication with staff and service users to promote best practice in bereavement care.
  • Provide leadership to ensure high-quality, appropriate care for the deceased and their relatives. Maintain strong working relationships with external agencies including Coroner’s Officers, Funeral Directors and Registrars.
  • Support management of all mortuary functions, implementing policies, procedures and SOPs in line with HTA and UKAS standards.
  • Assist the Mortuary Manager and HTA Designated Individual with HTA visit preparation and administrative requirements.
  • Contribute to emergency and continuity planning for Mortuary and Bereavement services.
  • Work closely with the Medical Examiner service to ensure effective communication.
  • Lead, supervise and participate in staff training.
  • Actively engage in departmental meetings, sharing information to keep staff informed and motivated.
  • Support the Mortuary Manager in maintaining staffing levels and monitoring annual leave.
  • Participate in HR processes including recruitment, induction, sickness monitoring, mandatory training and the Trust’s My Performance Appraisal scheme.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology (RSPH)

Desirable

  • Management qualification or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with an NHS mortuary and bereavement service
  • Experience of working with the general public and/or professionals
  • Experience of training staff, including trainee APTs, Medical students, and Resident doctors
  • Experience of working within bereavement and associated activities for liaising with Medical Examiner service
  • Experience of leading a team

Knowledge

Essential

  • Excellent knowledge of autopsy procedures including forensic techniques
  • Knowledge and understanding of current HTA codes of practice
  • Data protection and patient confidentiality and information governance
  • Knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety guidelines for working within mortuary setting

Key skills

Essential

  • Experience of using IT systems including Microsoft Office packages and Trust systems
  • Strong organisational skills and a flexible approach to work
  • Can demonstrate good standards of written and verbal communication
  • Ability to prioritise workload and work under pressure to ensure deadlines are achieved

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

Closing Date: 23 July 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.