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.