Job overview
We are seeking a highly motivated individual with strong governance and leadership qualities for the role of Deputy Mortuary Service Manager, working cross-site at Stockport and Tameside general hospitals.
In conjunction with the Mortuary Service Manager, you will lead Mortuary and Bereavement Services and in ensuring that quality standards and regulatory compliance are met, including UKAS ISO 15189:2022 and HTA requirements. You will support autopsies and act as a role model in the dignified care of the deceased.
Working closely with the operational team ensure the effective delivery of services to patients in accordance with agreed objectives, targets, quality standards, controls and resource constraints. You will support the Mortuary Service Manager and Designated Individual in the delivery of Trust objectives and dignified care of the deceased.
Support of the development and delivery of strategic vision, helping ensure service changes meet internal and external expectations and standards. You will need to understand business requirements and support plans for service improvement using modernisation techniques.
The successful candidate will hold a Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology, have proven supervisory experience and the ability to work flexibly across both sites. If you are committed to excellence in end-of-life care, we would welcome your application.
Main duties of the job
Working in tandem with the service manager provide a specialist, safe, secure, effective and comprehensive mortuary, bereavement and post-mortem service for the needs of the Trust across the Stockport and Tameside sites.
The post holder will be required to manage the day-to-day support and supervision of both the Anatomical Pathology Technologist (APT) and Bereavement staff.
The post holder will ideally hold both the Certificate and Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology and ideally show evidence of further development such as attaining a Foundation Degree in Mortuary Science. They will need to be able to work unsupervised and perform a broad range of duties, including performing autopsies. The post holder will provide an expert level of theoretical and practical knowledge and experience and hold responsibility for supporting all aspects of after-death care and will ensure that services promote dignified care of the deceased at all times, working flexibly across both sites to maintain continuity and resilience of service.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Work in unison with the Mortuary Service Manager, and deputising as required, take full responsibility for the day-to-day management and leadership of Mortuary and Bereavement Services across Stockport and Tameside hospitals.
Perform, supervise and teach evisceration, reconstruction and post-mortem examinations (autopsies) in the same capacity as the lead, providing practical assistance to the Pathologist and ensuring safe practices and SOPs are followed throughout.
Lead the day-to-day management, supervision and development of APT and Bereavement staff, including appraisals, recruitment, attendance, conflict resolution and workforce planning.
Act as Named Individual under HTA regulations and ensure compliance with UKAS ISO 15189:2022 and HTA standards, including SOPs, risk and COSHH assessments, quality control, audit and investigation of non-conformances.
Plan and co-ordinate the mortuary workload, rostering and on-call rota, escalating capacity issues and undertaking capacity and demand analysis to support service delivery.
Communicate sensitively with bereaved relatives, undertakers, the Coroner's Office and Trust Bereavement Team, and conduct viewings with dignity and compassion.
Monitor stock and consumables, management of pay and non-pay budgets, and contribute to business cases and service level agreements.
Support service improvement, teaching and training, and maintain accurate records and statistical returns.
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Thorough understanding of HTA legislation and the Named Individual / Designated Individual role
- legislation for Coroner’s and forensic post-mortems, death registration and statutory duties.
- In-depth knowledge of both theoretical and practical aspects of post-mortem examination, evisceration, tissue retrieval and body reconstruction
Desirable
- Understanding of funeral customs and practices associated with different religious, non-religious and cultural traditions.
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post-Diploma experience in a mortuary environment equivalent to a Senior APT.
- Experience of specialised evisceration techniques and of performing autopsies / post-mortem examinations in the same capacity as the lead, including high-risk and bariatric examinations.
- Leadership and management experience, including a range of HR processes.
Desirable
- Experience of major incident planning and / or mass fatalities.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Strong professional communications skills
- Compassionate care and communication
- Strong analytical skills
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- RSPH Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology (Level 4 equivalent).
- Certificate in Anatomical Pathology Technology.
- Management qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience).
Desirable
- Evidence of CPD
- Health & Safety qualification
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Deputy Mortuary service manager with Stockport NHS Foundation Trust in Stepping Hill and Tameside general hospitals. It is listed as a Band 7 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £49,387 - £56,515 pro rata per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 01 Sep 2026.
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