Job overview
The Mortuary Assistant supports the provision of a safe, efficient and compassionate mortuary service in line with Trust policies, Health & Safety legislation and Human Tissue Authority (HTA) requirements.
The role involves receiving, caring for, moving and releasing deceased persons; assisting Anatomical Pathology Technologists with post-mortem, forensic and viewing procedures; maintaining accurate documentation and traceability; and ensuring a clean, safe and dignified environment.
The post holder will communicate sensitively with bereaved relatives and liaise effectively with clinical staff, Coroner’s Officers, Funeral Directors and external agencies, whilst contributing to service quality, audit activity, mandatory training and participation in the Tier 2 on-call rota once competent.
Main duties of the job
Mortuary Assistant
We are seeking a compassionate and reliable individual to join our Mortuary team. The role involves driving the Trust’s private ambulance to transfer deceased patients between sites and external organisations, while ensuring dignity and security at all times.
You will assist with mortuary operations, including receiving, storing, and releasing deceased persons, supporting post-mortem and forensic examinations, and preparing for hospital and coronial viewings. Sensitive communication with bereaved families is essential. Duties also include maintaining accurate records, managing samples and disposals, housekeeping, stock control, and liaising with clinical teams, Coroner’s Officers, and Funeral Directors.
Requirements:
1. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
2. Strong attention to detail and ability to follow procedures
3. Emotional resilience and professionalism in distressing situations
4. Basic IT and admin skills
5. Full clean driving licence (held for 2+ years)
Training provided, with participation in audits, service improvements, and on-call rota once competent.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Communication
There is a considerable amount of liaison with members of the team, other hospital staff and users of the service. It is essential that a friendly, courteous, and professional manner is promoted at all times. Strong communication skills are required within the team to ensure the continual and efficient running of the service.
The post holder is expected to establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other staff members characterised by trust, mutual respect and open, honest communication, including external organisation personnel, West Sussex Coroner, Coroner’s Officers, Trust contracted Funeral Director(s), WSCC Representatives/Officers and Sussex DVI (Disaster Victim Identification) Team.
In accordance with appropriate policies and procedures communicate with bereaved relatives, Coroner, Coroner’s Officers, Funeral Directors, WSCC personnel and all other users of the Mortuary facility in a positive and effective manner to deliver a high quality Mortuary Service.
In the absence of the Senior Mortuary Assistant, to maintain the communication of any relevant information to other Mortuary staff to ensure the continual and efficient running of the Mortuary Service.
To respectfully communicate with bereaved relatives who wish to view their deceased.
Service Delivery and Improvement
To participate in the provision of a high quality, cost-effective service covering all aspects of the Mortuary, including:
a) To receive and release deceased patients and their property in accordance with the (SOP) Standard Operating Procedure
b) To inform Funeral Directors if an implantable cardiac device is still within the deceased and to ensure implantable defibrillators are de-activated prior to release of the deceased.
b) To perform daily “body checks” on deceased patients admitted overnight in accordance with the SOP.
c) Assist the Anatomical Pathology Technologists (APT’s) with movement of deceased between body stores and post-mortem room.
d) Transfer tissues/samples to other locations/departments and occasionally receive these, completing the necessary HTA related traceability paperwork.
e) Supporting the Mortuary “users” in helping to provide an effective Trust-wide Mortuary Service.
f) To admit, organise the cremation of and release sensitive disposals
g) To receive, file, record and dispose of post-mortem samples and tissues in accordance with the SOP
h) To assist the APT at forensic post-mortems with the transfer, manipulation of the deceased patient and reconstruction.
i) To facilitate organ retrieval on hospital cases e.g Eye donations.
j) To organise viewings, both Coronial and Hospital, preparing, facilitating, and transferring patients to and from the viewing room, coronial cases under supervision of an APT.
k) Assisting in stock control, receiving stock, stock monitoring, sign goods delivery notes, checking supplies deliveries and sending, receiving, and storing laundry items.
l) Abide by all Mortuary and Trust SOP’s/policies, contribute to internal audit programmes and corrective actions.
m) Transfer deceased between sites or other locations at the request of the Senior Mortuary Assistant, Lead APT, their deputy or the Tier 1 on call APT (out of hours) using the Mortuary deceased transfer vehicle and equipment, ensuring dignity and traceability is always maintained. Undertake any training or assessments required for this.
n) Maintaining a safe & hygienic working environment, including general housekeeping, fridge cleaning, etc.
o) To participate in general cleaning and housekeeping duties to include cleaning of the fridge compartments.
p) To contribute to developing the service to ensure that delivery is safe, efficient, cost-effective and follows Best Practice. Attend relevant Mortuary related meetings/huddles.
q) The post-holder will be expected to participate in the departmental “Tier 2 on-call” rota, relating to out-of-hours duties, involving rotation with the other Mortuary Assistants, once fully signed-off on appropriate competencies. Agenda for change payments will be payable for these duties.
r) To be HTA consent trained, renewing this every 2 years. To review consent/patient identification prior to any organ retrieval.
s) To perform general administration duties
People Management and Development
The post holder is expected to maintain CPD
To continue to develop expertise in all practical and theoretical aspects of Mortuary safe practice.
To keep up to date with current legislation (HTA and Health and Safety) regarding mortuary practices, post- mortem room procedures and organ retention.
Maintain personal development through internal courses, educational meetings, update courses, in-house cases presentations and development programmes, in addition to external courses and meetings
Contribute to regular team briefs
Patient Care Delivery
To meet and greet bereaved relatives including those who wish to carry out their own funeral (D.I.Y. Funerals), assisting them in the procurement of the correct paperwork, presenting the deceased within the supplied coffin prior to the family collecting the deceased before the funeral.
To ensure all deceased are stored in a dignified manner in accordance with Trust/Mortuary and HTA standards and to reconstruct deceased at forensic post-mortem to a high standard under the direction and supervision of an APT.
To undertake reception, care and release of the deceased, including organisation of viewings, care of personal property, recording of documentation, etc.
Learning and Development
· Attend mandatory training updates as required.
· Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
· Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
· Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
· Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
Person specification
Essential and desirable
Essential criteria
6. Educated to NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of experience
7. Good level of Numeracy and English
8. Full Driving licence (cat b)
9. Proven ability to work as part of a team
10. Demonstrable ability to receive and understand data of varying levels of complexity
11. Demonstrable ability to communicate in an empathic manner over sensitive issues
12. Attention to detail and working with accuracy and precision
13. Ability to deal with emotionally distressing situations in a sympathetic and professional manner
14. Ability to plan own day to achieve goals set e.g. completing tasks set in a timely fashion without compromising quality
15. Computer skills, using Microsoft Word and Excel, other software packages
16. Evidence of continued CPD
17. Ability to recognise and monitor parameters of quality, accuracy and imprecision
18. Ability to deal with frequent exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions.
19. Knowledge of the HTA code of practice A consent and B post mortem
20. Ability to cope with frequent “Lone Worker” situations.
21. Participation in the Out-Of-Hours (OOH) Service on a rotational basis with the other Mortuary Assistants. (once signed-off on appropriate competencies).
Desirable criteria
22. Registration with the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technologists as an associate member (currently voluntary).
23. Experience of mortuary or undertaker’s duties
24. Experience in working with deceased patients.
25. Clean Full Driving licence
Equality and Diversity
Essential criteria
26. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
27. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications