North Bristol NHS Trust
Mortuary Assistant
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North Bristol NHS Trust and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust Merger
North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.
Healthy Work-Life Balance
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.
Diversity and Inclusion
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.
Job Application
Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.
Job Overview
Want to try something different? We have an exciting opportunity to join our Mortuary team as a band 3 Mortuary Assistant. We are looking for someone with a compassionate approach to both the deceased and their bereaved loved ones. You will need an eye for detail, as well as a high standard of both written and verbal communication skills. You will be a team player who can quickly form good working relationships with key stakeholders both within and external to the NHS. The role will be based at Southmead Hospital but could be expected to work cross site (St Michael's Hospital). The role will work closely with the Anatomical Pathology Technologists, Patient Affairs team, Chaplaincy team and the Medical Examiner service team.
Main Duties of the Job
North Bristol NHS Trust provides a perinatal / paediatric post-mortem service for Southwest England and a body storage service for Southmead Hospital. As part of a small team of Mortuary staff, provide an effective and sensitive mortuary service to the North Bristol NHS Trust, completing work to a high standard and within expected time-frames in order to meet service demands. The service includes management and administration of hospital deaths, administration for post-mortems, preparing bodies for viewing and facilitating the provision of a limited number of medical procedures.
A successful candidate must have the emotional strength to deal with all duties whilst maintaining calm, mature and compassionate disposition.
Working for Our Organisation
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered. We commit to treating each patient as an individual with respect and dignity, aiming to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a first-class experience for everyone who uses our services. North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
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Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and personal specification for further details.
Under The Supervision Of APT Staff
Clinical Duties
- Participate in the management of the body storage facilities within the mortuary service including release of deceased to funeral directors.
- Participate in the preparation of the deceased for viewing by relatives and support the bereaved during their visit.
- Provide support and advice to the bereaved.
- Assist with the removal and disposal of pacemakers and defibrillators.
- Facilitate and assist (if required) in the harvest of tissue for transplantation.
- Ensure that requests for hospital post-mortem are enacted in an appropriate and timely manner.
- Participate in processes relating to perinatal / paediatric deaths and bereavement, including funeral arrangements.
- Participate in the processes for the management and sensitive disposal of pregnancy remains.
- Participate in the cleaning and sterilisation of instruments, equipment and premises.
- Assist in the maintenance of supplies and equipment used within the mortuary.
- Work in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) developed for use in the department. Assist in the development and review of these as required.
- Ensure that the exchange of information is accurate at all times, through competent verbal and written skills.
- To carry out cleaning and dressing of the deceased as required.
- To ensure security of the department and that all persons treat the deceased with dignity and respect at all times.
Administrative Duties
- Deal with telephone enquiries from hospital staff, bereaved relatives and friends, Funeral Directors, Coroner’s officers and other outside agencies.
- Participate in data entry and maintenance of all mortuary record systems.
- Record and secure valuables from deceased.
- To ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good working practices and the standards of Human Tissue Authority licencing.
Person Specification
Education/Training/Qualifications/Experience
Essential criteria
- Numerate and Literate (minimum 4 GCSE's including English, Maths and a Science subject
- Experience working with deceased patients / after death care
- Experience of working sensitively with the bereaved
- Good IT skills including MS Office
Desirable criteria
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- Knowledge of basic medical terminology
- Knowledge of Human Tissue Authority Regulations
Joining Us
We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.
Equal Opportunities
As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
Staff Care and Development
The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
Safeguarding and Welfare
BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
Immigration Act Compliance
To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
Sponsorship
If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
Data Collection
The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
Scam Awareness
Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.
Important
Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.
Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification
Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.
As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.
When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.
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