Mortuary Support Officer | The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The post holder will be responsible for assisting with the provision of the Trust's Mortuary Services on two sites across the Trust. Working in this area involves frequent exposure to highly distressing and emotive situations in addition to periods of intense physical activity, with the need to maintain concentration for long periods. The post holder will carry out duties to support the efficient running of the Mortuary Service and will also ensure that resources are used optimally and that documentation and records are created accurately and kept appropriately

• Assist with the provision of the mortuary service across the Trust. To show initiative and judgement and make prompt decisions to facilitate the smooth running of the mortuary service.
• To establish and maintain good working relationships with staff within the Trust, the Coroner's Office, funeral directors, Police and members of the public.
• To provide support to the Mortuary Services Manager when required and deputising in their absence.
• To maintain the safe and dignified reception, storage and release of all deceased patients and their property, ensuring all documentation and the mortuary register is accurate and complete, enabling funeral arrangements to be made without delay.
• To ensure complete and accurate recording systems are maintained daily to enable efficient information retrieval, and to collate and provide this data as required.
• Perform departmental audits and partake in Trust wide audits and freedom of information requests.
• Release deceased patients to funeral directors, ensuring identification is checked, hospital release forms are obtained and personal property/jewellery is recorded and signed for.
• To advise and inform bereaved families on a variety of sensitive and emotive issues i.e. tissue retrieval, need for post-mortem examination, death process, contract funerals etc.
• To meet bereaved relatives at viewings, offering support and guidance when appropriate.
The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital in the London Borough of Hillingdon and offers a wide range of services, including accident and emergency, inpatient care, day surgery, outpatient clinics, and maternity services. The Trust's services at Mount Vernon Hospital include routine day surgery, delivered at a modern treatment centre, a minor injuries unit, and outpatient clinics. The safety and well-being of our patients and staff is paramount and we are making urgent improvements to address this - particularly in infection prevention and control. We are making progress by working in partnership with local GPs, charities, community services, academic partners, our local authority, neighbouring hospitals, and the wider North West London Integrated care system, and ensuring that we listen and work in partnership with our local population. We are focused on ensuring that our hospitals provide high quality, safe, and compassionate care, while we drive forward with the building of the new Hillingdon Hospital.

We have over 3,500 members of staff that are proud to care for nearly half a million people, with a vision to be an outstanding provider of healthcare through leading health and academic partnerships, transforming services, to provide the best care where needed.