Mortuary Operations Manager: Sponsorship Available

Job Summary

The department of Cellular Pathology within Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals is one of the largest providers in the country; comprised of Histology, Diagnostic Cytology Neuropathology, Molecular, Research and Mortuary Services. The department is primarily based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI), a prime city centre location, with Mortuaries across RVI and Freeman sites.

With our expansion in service and increasing need for direct management within the mortuaries of Cellular Pathology and in addition to satisfy recent changes in governance recommendations, we are seeking to appoint to an upgraded management position to support the enhanced role required within our team.

The speciality service is an attractive opportunity, covering hospital and community deaths, forensic, adult, paediatric and perinatal pathology, as well as offering PMCT scanning, a complimentary diagnostic investigation in establishing cause of death, which can often reduce the need for invasive Post Mortem. The PMCT provision requires close working with colleagues in radiology, with the scanning undertaken by Anatomical Pathology Technicians. We are also keen in developing advanced practice roles within our service, which have long standing adoption and establishment within the laboratory setting already.

Interview Date: Friday, 14 June 2024 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week

Main duties of the job

The Mortuary Operational Manager will be responsible for, with Clinical Lead and Laboratory Manager support, for the provision of an effective centralised Regional Autopsy service for the Cellular Pathology department, to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, North East and North Cumbria (NENC) Regional Hospital NHS Trusts, medical staff, Police, HM Coroners, together with Funeral Directors and other legitimate service users. This will involve using highly developed knowledge and organisational skills and the successful applicant will be the lead specialist in that field, to provide optimal, high quality care for the deceased and their relatives.

The post holder will support operational management of staff, who are integral to service, with a sensitive and resilient remit to deliver timely care, demonstrating senior management oversight, and in-keeping with the expectation of a large, forward thinking organisation.

They will apply highly specialised professional judgement, technical knowledge and practical skills to complex problem solving and Quality Control issues and ensure that corrective actions are instigated in the event of non-compliance. The post holder will use highly specialised knowledge to advise service users on Mortuary protocols and convey information in a concise and clear manner that will be of help to service users.

About us

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest, largest and most successful teaching NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 16,000 staff and an annual income of £1 billion.

We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.

We’re also proud to be the second largest provider of specialised services in the country. This means we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.

Our staff oversee around 2 million patients ‘contacts’ each year, delivering high standards of healthcare.

Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust.

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder is responsible for supporting the department and leading the Mortuary compliance of regulatory and accreditation requirements specifically to UKAS accreditation and the Human Tissue Authority (HTA).

The role will manage operational activities within the department and will ensure that staff and priorities are reorganised in the face of unexpected situations, which are frequent in such a large and busy service.

Alongside the Cellular Pathology management team, the post holder is required to support and manage Senior Anatomical Pathology Technicians (APTs), Advanced APTs, APTs, Trainees and Mortuary Assistants within the department and there are requirements for some budget management, staff recruitment and selection and initial handling of grievance procedure within the department. They will act as a professional role model for all staff working in the department.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Education

Essential

Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology from the Royal Institute of Public Health (RIPH) or equivalent
Post graduate level qualification equivalent to MSC or equivalent competence and experience

Desirable

Leadership/Management qualification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

Previous experience in a Senior Mortuary role with supervisory and leadership responsibilities Extensive experience and in-depth specialist knowledge of working in a Mortuary
Knowledge and experience of advanced autopsy, forensic and infection control procedures
Experience of dealing with bereaved relatives
Knowledge and understanding of the Human Tissue Act (HTA) in relation to Mortuary services and understanding of the storage, retrieval and disposal of human tissues
Firm knowledge and understanding of UKAS ISO15189 Laboratory accreditation requirements in relation to mortuary services
Knowledge and understanding of relevant NHS policy and safeguarding processes

Desirable

Neuropathological/Paediatric/Perinatal Post Mortem experience
Experience of and training in undertaking staff appraisals
Post Mortem CT (PMCT) imaging knowledge and/or experience

Skills & Abilities

Essential

Key point of contact for regional centralised autopsy service, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Desirable

Keyboard and IT related skills

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: 30 May 2024