Job overview
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM STAFF CURRENTLY EMPLOYED BY SWANSEA BAY UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD
The post holder will act as an qualified APT within the mortuary and hold a RSPH Diploma in APT or its equivalent with experience. Ideally candidates for this role will have achieved the RSPH Level 3 Diploma. They will be able to demonstrate good technical knowledge of mortuary policy, procedure, and human anatomy as well as a good understanding of health and safety legislation and working in compliance with HTA guidelines.
The Mortuary services managed by Swansea Bay Health Board and covers 3 sites: Morriston, Singleton and Neath Port Talbot hospitals. The department is fully HTA accredited.
The role will involve performing a number of tasks including receipt and appropriate storage of the deceased, preparation for Post Mortem examination and release of the deceased in line with departmental policy, best practice and the Human Tissue Act and in support of the Coroner, Pathologists and Police.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a professional, enthusiastic, self-motivated individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, attention to detail and the ability to work alone or as part of a team.
Essential quality is being able to demonstrate empathy towards the bereaved. Within the role there will be regular contact with external agencies such as Coroner services, South Wales Police and Funeral Directors. Current working knowledge of Home Office & Coronial post mortem requirements and the Human Tissue Authority Standards is also required. Participation in an on-call rota is mandatory, this will be paid in line with AFC.
You will be required to provide Mortuary cover on other sites within Swansea Bay Health Board and as part of a memorandum of agreement asked to provide cover at Hywel Dda University Health Board.
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences, so we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post.
Working for our organisation
We believe staff are our best asset and we want you to be happy and confident about starting your career here in Swansea Bay University Health Board.
As one of the biggest healthcare groups in the UK we can offer a wealth of professional training and development opportunities in an innovative, forward-thinking organisation.
You might be a nurse or doctor, maybe you specialise in a health science/therapy or can offer skills in one of our support services - we have a job for you.
There are also apprenticeships, work placements and volunteering roles available.
We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from everyone whatever their sex; religion or belief; race; age; sexual orientation; gender identity or, whether they are pregnant or have recently been on maternity leave, married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled.
Our values - Caring For Each Other, Working Together and Always Improving, show that our commitment to equality is at the heart of everything we do.
If you want excellent career and training opportunities while living on the doorstep of some of Europe's most spectacular scenery, with all the benefits of a thriving and cosmopolitan city - look no further.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. RSPH (Pre 2015) Certificate and/or Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or RSPH Level 4 Diploma in Healthcare Science (Anatomical Pathology).
2. In-depth understanding of the Human Tissue Authority regulations and codes of practice pertaining to Mortuary.
Desirable criteria
3. Professional registration e.g., AHCS, Science Council (Post holder will be expected to achieve registration and commence Continual Professional Development within 12 months if employed into post without active registration or CPD portfolio).
4. Membership with AAPT HTA Consent Training.
Experience
Essential criteria
5. Knowledge of post mortem examinations of varying complexities and specialist techniques, including reconstruction and effective infection control.
6. Extensive Mortuary experience can demonstrate experience of working within guidelines/protocols. Supervisory and involvement with training of other staff.
7. Experience of direct patient and family contact and the management of complex, emotionally challenging situations.
Desirable criteria
8. Experience of working in NHS Mortuary.
9. Experience of deputising for more senior staff
10. Experience with Mortuary computer software (i.e. LIMS)
11. Major incident experience Experience of regulatory inspections, HTA, UKAS (ISO)
Skills
Essential criteria
12. Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills, showing tact, sensitivity, and empathy when supporting relatives or associates of the deceased. Maintains a composed, professional manner and remains calm in high-pressure and emotionally charged situations.
13. Works accurately, reliably, and to tight deadlines. Able to manage highly distressing or traumatic scenarios with professionalism and compassion. Capable of supporting individuals responding to emotive circumstances.
14. Contributes to the training, supervision, and mentoring of APTs, Trainee APTs, and Junior Medical Staff. Participates effectively with tissue and organ retrieval teams. Competent in undertaking specialised mortuary and post-mortem procedures, including significant moving and handling of deceased patients.
15. Able to influence and appropriately challenge non-compliance. Actively seeks learning opportunities, gives and receives constructive feedback, and is committed to continuous professional development. Works effectively both independently and as part of a team. Able to supervise others and promote high standards of practice.
Desirable criteria
16. Specialist skills (tissue retention, tissue harvesting) Counselling skills.
17. Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh.
Swansea Bay University Health Board is committed to supporting its staff and processes to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing service users experience. In our commitment to increase the number of staff able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we would particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
Equality remains at the centre of the Health Boards policy-making, service delivery and employment practices. We value the diversity of our staff and welcome applications from people from protected groups under the Equality Act 2010, this specifically includes age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/reassignment, race, religion, disability, pregnancy and maternity and marriage and civil partnership.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Welsh language skills are not necessary