Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.

Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

The Mortuary department boasts state of the art facilities, run by a highly respected and experienced team who have received multiple awards for their dedication and commitment to our patients. The mortuary provides a post-mortem service to both the Queen Alexandra Hospital and HM Coroner and performs >1400 post mortems per year. The mortuary has full UKAS ISO15189 accreditation and holds a full HTA licence. The mortuary is located within a spacious, modern, purpose-built Pathology complex, which opened in August 2007.

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to lead and coordinate the mortuary team, taking responsibility for the management and organisation of the service. The successful candidate will demonstrate effective leadership to ensure their team delivers a safe, effective, responsive, caring and well-led service where compassion is embedded. The post holder will provide strong professional, technical and managerial leadership and act as a professional role model. A highly skilled technical expert with specialised knowledge in all aspects of a Mortuary service including advanced post mortem techniques, quality, governance, training and health & safety. Participation in the delivery of the mortuary service’s responsibilities outside core hours is necessary, and flexible working times may be required to support the service. This could include weekends and Bank Holidays. This would include contracted participation at varying levels, including Major Incidents. The post holder will also be expected to coordinate and be a part of the out of hours on-call rota.

Job Summary:

• Lead and co-ordinate the Mortuary team, taking continuing responsibility for the management and organisation of the service.
• Through effective leadership ensure the team delivers a safe, effective, responsive, caring and well-led service where compassion is embedded.
• Provide strong professional, technical and managerial leadership and act as a professional role model.
• A highly skilled technical expert with specialised knowledge in all aspects of a Mortuary service.
• Participation in the delivery of the mortuary service’s responsibilities outside core hours and flexible working times may be required to support the service. This could include weekends and Bank Holidays. This would include contracted participation at varying levels, including Major Incidents.
• The post holder will be expected to coordinate and be a part of the out of hours on-call rota.

Job Description

Qualifications and Experience

• Diploma of Anatomical Pathology Technology (Level 4)
• Knowledge of all statutory regulations relating to the provision of a Mortuary service – for example, the Human Tissue Authority standards
• Experience in coronial and high-risk postmortems
• Experience of working with bodily fluids
• Experience of working in distressing situations
• Significant demonstrable experience within specialty with evidence of professional development.
• Leadership development programme
• Teaching qualification /experience and mentorship course
• Evidence of team leadership and change management with relevant management/leadership course.
• Managing resources and contributing to the Mortuary budget
• Evidence of developing policies and guidelines

Skills and Knowledge

• Technically competent.
• Technical decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective leadership and team building skills.
• Organisational skills and forward planning
• Flexibility
• Able to support development of others.
• Coaching and mentoring skills
• Critical appraisal skills
• Strong customer service skills.
• IT literate
• Understanding of the principles and application of effective budgetary management.
• Understanding of the principles and application of effective staff / HR management
• Understanding of the theory and application of Clinical Governance.
• Demonstrable experience of effective management and supervision of staff and taking charge of a Mortuary service

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust is a provider of Acute Health Services in the area of the Hampshire based in and Western South Downs. The catchment is in excess of 650,000 people. The area served by the Trust is on the Solent and English Channel and includes the City of Portsmouth and the Boroughs of Gosport, Fareham and Havant extending from Warsash in the west to Emsworth on the Sussex border and its northern boundaries encompass Petersfield and Liss.

We have a vision to be recognised as a world-class hospital, leading the field through innovative healthcare solutions, focusing on the best outcomes for our patients, delivered in a safe, caring and inspiring environment. It is a key member Trust of the Southern Counties Pathology network, one of the largest networks in the country.

Portsmouth is a thriving waterfront naval city, steeped in naval history, on the South Coast of England. It is ninety minutes from central London and has good transport links, including regular ferries to France and Spain. The major airports are easily accessible (with an airport 30 minutes outside the city). It has some of the best water sports facilities in Europe and sandy beaches are within easy reach. Developments within the city itself and on the Gosport side of the harbour suggest a vibrant future for the area. Portsmouth has wonderful museums and is great for shopping and short breaks. With house prices 20% cheaper than London, Portsmouth is one of the easiest cities in the UK to purchase a property.

Portsmouth has wonderful museums and is great for shopping and short breaks. We are blessed with 2 National Parks on our doorstep – the Southdown’s Way and New Forest National Park, as well as a packed summer of cultural and musical events and plenty of sports on your doorstep, Portsmouth is the perfect city for those that love the outdoor lifestyle. With easy train links to London, an airport 30 minutes outside the city and ferries to the continent, Portsmouth has something for everyone.

Inland from the hospital is the beautiful and relatively unspoilt countryside of rural Hampshire. Close by is the New Forest and the recently designated National Park of the South Downs. The area combines the advantages of city life with pleasant villages and seaside towns. There are a number of first rate schools both in the state and private sector and it is an excellent place to raise a family.

Want to know more about our beautiful city? Take a look - https://www.visitportsmouth.co.uk/

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.