Senior Mortuary Technician

Supervise and coordinate Mortuary Technicians across University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust mortuaries, including Worthing, St Richard’s, Royal Sussex and Princess Royal Hospitals, with travel between sites as required. Key responsibilities include rota management, staff supervision, admission, storage and release of deceased patients and their property, management of sensitive disposals (pregnancy remains), implantable device notifications, stock control, administration, audit activity and maintaining a safe, clean and compliant mortuary environment. The role also supports the transfer of deceased patients between Trust and external locations, facilitates unattended Trust funerals and ensures completion of HTA documentation and quality assurance processes.

The post holder will provide compassionate support to bereaved families, undertake Trust cremation processes, care for babies following pregnancy loss and support the delivery of post-mortem services, including high-risk, traumatic and decomposed cases.

The role includes participation in coronial and forensic post-mortems and reconstruction procedures, including organ replacement, body packing and suturing under supervision. The post holder must ensure compliance with Human Tissue Authority (HTA) legislation, Codes of Practice and Trust policies, maintaining high standards of dignity, traceability, governance and patient care at all times.

The role includes coordinating daily mortuary operations across multiple locations, managing staff rotas and workloads, supporting staff development and appraisals, and ensuring compliance with Trust policies, procedures and legislation. You will oversee the respectful admission, care, storage and release of deceased patients and their property, maintaining dignity, traceability and legal compliance at all times.

You will provide sensitive support to bereaved families, facilitate viewings and funerals, and guide relatives through mortuary processes. Responsibilities also include leading audits, quality assurance activities and Human Tissue Authority (HTA) compliance, implementing service improvements and corrective actions where required.

The post holder will support coronial, hospital and forensic post-mortem services, including reconstruction procedures and assisting Anatomical Pathology Technologists (APTs). Additional duties include managing tissue and sample handling, sensitive disposals, unattended funerals, implantable device notifications, stock control and maintaining a safe, hygienic mortuary environment.

The role requires participation in the out-of-hours on-call rota, transfer of deceased patients between sites and external locations, and acting as an HTA Person Designate when required.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Steph Belbin Job title: Mortuary Quality and Training Lead APT Email address: Sign in to view email Telephone number: 01903 285018

Monday to Friday except Thursday 9am till 5pm