Job summary
Job requires care of the deceased patient, postmortem activities on behalf of the coroner. Upkeep of the mortuaries and adherence to the Human Tissue Authority.
Main duties of the job
To assist in routine, coroner and Forensic postmortems as required and to apply special techniques as required. To assist in the training and supervision of junior staff and students and to assist with the training of portering staff to undertake basic duties within the mortuary including assessment of staff to carry out these procedures in accordance with departmental procedures as directed by the senior anatomical mortuary technician. To follow departmental polices and standard operating procedures. To assist with maintaining stock control ensuring that adequate supplies are always available. To maintain the cleanliness and the proper maintenance of the body store and the autopsy room, other areas of the mortuary and the equipment and the tools used in the mortuary.To receive bodies (both hospital and coroners) into the mortuary, ensuring adequate documentation. To prepare bodies and assist the Pathologists with hospital and H.M Coroners post mortems. To receive and dispatch bodies from cold storage. To undertake documentation and record keeping ensuring correct identification of bodies. To be responsible in accordance with agreed policies for the safekeeping of valuables taken from patients. To make arrangements for viewing of bodies and their identification.To participate in clinical and quality audit.To participate in the out of hours flexible rota to ensure 24-hour cover in accordance with the procedures for out of hours mortuary services.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to conduct postmortem evisceration
- Knowledge of the HTA requirements
- Mortuary experience
Desirable
- Level 3 or 4 in Anatomical Pathology Technology or equivalent
- Recent experience of working in a mortuary environment
- To have knowledge and understanding of the Fuller Report
- To have knowledge and understanding of the CQC
- To have worked with deceased babies and children
Physical Ability
Essential
- Ability to move deceased patients safely
- Ability to stand for long periods of time
- Basic IT knowledge and computer use
Desirable
- Ability to be able to work in strenuous situations
- Ability to work in distressing situations
Emotional
Essential
- Ability to work in distressing situations
- To be able to treat patients with Dignity and Respect
- To have empathy to the relatives/friends/carers of the deceased patients
Desirable
- To show active empathy in developing the bereavement process
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.
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: 10 August 2026
