Job overview
Sherwood Forest Hospitals are seeking Mortuary Assistants to join our friendly and supportive team. This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic individual who shares our commitment to delivering exceptional, compassionate and dignified care to the deceased and those important to them.
The Mortuary forms part of the Department of End of Life, Spiritual and Support Services at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It is a busy and diverse service working closely with internal teams such as Spiritual and Pastoral Care, the Bereavement Centre, Histopathology, Hospital Wards (including Maternity) and the Emergency Department, as well as external organisations including HM Coroner’s Office, Police and Funeral Directors.
Key Responsibilities
- Control the admission and release of deceased patients to and from the Mortuary, ensuring accurate identification, registration, weighing, measuring and labelling.
- Prepare and organise deceased patients for viewing by relatives or Police, respecting cultural and religious beliefs and maintaining dignity at all times.
- Facilitate viewings out of hours when required.
- Undertake routine mortuary work to a high standard, ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures and hospital policies.
You’ll be part of a dedicated team that values respect, dignity and compassion. We offer a supportive environment where your contribution is valued and makes a real difference to families and those important to the deceased.
Main duties of the job
To understand the role in more detail, please refer to the attached job description and person specification.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To understand the role in more detail, please refer to the attached job description and person specification.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a busy environment
- Equivalent level of knowledge acquired through experience to Certificate in Anatomical Pathology Technology
- Able to work as part of a team
- Willingness to learn
- Sympathetic, caring attitude and able to cope with distressing circumstances
- Able to work alone
- Excellent communicator and high level of interpersonal skills, including dealing with the bereaved
Desirable
- Previous mortuary or relevant experience
Qualifications
Essential
- Good standard of education including literacy and numeracy skills up to GCSE leve
- Equivalent level of knowledge acquired through experience to certificate in Anatomical Pathology Technology
- Excellent Computer Skills and keyboard skills, including Microsoft Office
Desirable
- Enhanced IT Skills - able to use Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and Outlook)
- Moving and handling skills
- Level 1 communication training qualification
- 4 GSCE’s including English and Maths
Further Training
Essential
- Competency programme
- Minor Technical Procedures Training and Competency
- Level 1 communication training
Knowledge Requirements
Essential
- Understands the functions and environment of a mortuary
- Substantial knowledge of forensic, technical and infection procedures
Desirable
- Experience of working with the recently bereaved or in the mortuary setting/ funeral industry
Contractual Requirements
Essential
- Rostered on any of the 5 out of 7 days of the week
- Participate in the mortuary out of hours rota
- Work in a flexible manner
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Mortuary Assistant with Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Sutton In Ashfield, Midlands, England. It is listed as a Band 3 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £25,760 - £27,476 per annum pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 14 Jul 2026.
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