Service Lead for Mortuary and Bereavement

Job overview

To provide a professional, proactive and sensitive service to bereaved relatives, whilst ensuring the Trust’s statutory obligations are fulfilled.  To take responsibilty in continuously review practice and develop policies which incorporate national guidance and Human Tissue Authority Legislation.  To work closely with other key professionals both within and outside the Trust in order to meet individual needs.  To promote an awareness of bereavement issue within a multi faith, multi-cultural environment.

The post holder will be the Service Lead for Mortuary and Bereavement ensuring that day to day running of the service is achieved at a high standard. a There will be interaction and occasional cross site working with the sister service at the Princess Royal Site.

Main duties of the job

• To deputise for the Head of Services
• Organise and participate in routine and specialised post mortem provision ensuring HTA compliance at all times.
• Organise and participate in all other aspects of mortuary and bereavement services ensuring the effective, professional, cost effective service.
• Overseeing the day to day running of the mortuary and bereavement office.
• To manage the bereavement supervisor and ensure the smooth running of the service in accordance with KCH guidelines and recommendations.
• To work with the Head of Service in ensuring that all SOPs, risk assessments and audits are undertaken and updated as in line with departmental, Trust and HTA policies.
• To ensure there is a robust system in place for the sensitive disposal of POC’s, ensuring compliance with Trust policy and national guidelines.
• To ensure all organs, tissue, blood and other samples are appropriately labelled, recorded and tracked and disposal records maintained.
• To take a leading role in Health and Safety ensuring safe and appropriate working practises within the department.
• Undertake staff appraisals for all levels of APTs and bereavement supervisor.
• Ensure the department provides a sensitive and professional viewing and identification service to the bereaved.
• To support the Head of Service in the production of staff rotas covering post mortem provision, emergency on call, annual leave etc.
• Participate in on call service rota.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

• The post holder will support the Head of Service in ensuring that the mortuary and bereavement service delivers a quality and responsive service to Kings NHS Foundation Trust and associated stakeholders and partners.
• The post holder will take an active role in analysing demand and capacity, suggest service configurations which will make the most efficient use of available resources.
• The post holder will assist in representing the mortuary and bereavement services for issues relating to outside agencies and partners.
• The post holder will train, encourage, and motivate staff and facilitate co-operative interaction to assist in their own self development.
• The post holder will assist in all areas of staff management including staff rotas (post mortem, on call, annual leave etc) sickness absence and training.

QUALITY

• To take the lead role in quality and maintain a quality management system to ensure the departments’ obligations for HTA compliance
• To ensure all staff are aware of and are competent in the provision of the standards of HTA and Trust policies.
• Set objectives and review performance of staff, identifying individual training and development needs and promote continued personal and professional development.
• Manage staff sickness, disciplinary and performance issues in line with Trust policies.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant Trust policies and standing financial instructions.
• Ensure effective workplace planning, anticipate staff shortages and take action to minimise the impact of these on service delivery.
• Assist and support organisational change within the mortuary and bereavement services to ensure efficient service delivery and productivity and compliance with Trust and HTA standards. This would include consultation with staff and promoting new ways of working, implementing new policies and procedures etc.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

• Assist in resolving day-to-day management issues within the mortuary and bereavement services.
• To assist with specific projects (short-term and long-term)
• Assist in communicating and engaging with senior management teams across the organisation on complex issues to agree strategic objectives of Pathology.

RISK AND CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

• Oversee the implementation of effective systems, control processes and risk management arrangements in mortuary and bereavement services including developing specific policies/procedures as appropriate.
• Actively participate with the Designated Individual (D.I) to ensure HTA compliance.
• Understand and interpret Trust and HTA standards to ensure implementation of local policies and compliance with legislation/targets within the designated service.  Responsible for the planning to meet the required service levels
• Lead with developing systems for the monitoring of compliance with internal and external governance, HTA, UKAS and best practice requirements.
• Produce audit timetables and ensure regular audits within the department.
• Assist with conflict resolution from the bereaved, staff, other internal and external service providers and partner organisations in mortuary and bereavement services.
• Assist with investigations and respond to complaints in line with Trust policy.
• Ensure prompt and accurate incident reporting.

STRATEGY AND SERVICE IMPROVEMENT

• Participate in Trust programmes that contribute to the modernisation of mortuary services.
• Assist with capital programmes which will support the strategic development of the department.
• Assist specific strategic objectives to enable the delivery of the strategic aims of the service both within the business plan and longer term strategies.
• Take part in reporting compliments, complaints and risks in Governance meetings.

R&D, TEACHING & TRAINING

• Provide support in the development and implementation of R&D education and training programmes within mortuary and bereavement services.
• Work with other senior staff in performing regular audits/surveys to support and inform service development.
• Along with the Head of Services create and deliver training to internal and external staff in the procedures within the mortuary.
• Hold training sessions, produce training programmes, maintain training records and participate in induction courses for trust staff, providing information on bereavement and mortuary services.

FINANCE

• To assist in maintaining budgetary control of the mortuary and bereavement services.