About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and innovative leader to provide clinical, operational and strategic leadership across our Mortuary, Bereavement and Medical Examiner Services at Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals.
As the professional lead and Designated Individual named on the Trust's Human Tissue Authority (HTA) Licences, you will ensure that all services operate in full compliance with HTA standards and codes of practice. You will lead a team dedicated to delivering safe, effective and compassionate care for deceased patients and support for the bereaved with dignity, respect and sensitivity at all times.
This is a key leadership role requiring a balance of strategic vision, operational excellence and professional expertise to continue to integrate and develop our services. You will be an engaging and collaborative leader, confident in managing diverse teams and skilled at building strong working relationships with external agencies including Coroner's Services, Police, Funeral Directors and Local Authorities.
You will be a qualified Anatomical Pathology Technologist with a Level 4 Royal Society for Public Health Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology (or equivalent), and bring significant experience of working within a complex mortuary environment.
Through visible and compassionate leadership, you will continue to develop a culture of inclusivity and continuous improvement.
A Band 8a developmental will be considered with set competency targets.
Main duties of the job
Provide effective leadership and management of the Mortuary, Bereavement and Medical Examiner Services across ESNEFT, in line with local and national policy Act as Designated Individual named on the HTA Licences for both sites, with responsibility for ensuring full regulatory compliance with HTA Standards and Codes of Practice. Be responsible for the Medical Examiner Service for all non-acute deaths including community hospital sites. Contribute to the development and delivery of the service and financial strategy including responsibility for monitoring the service budget and ensure the achievement of financial balance Lead and develop technical services in the Mortuary, ensuring safe, high-quality and dignified care for the deceased. Provide specialised training for relevant staff groups in after death care, death certification, Medical Examiner work and Coronial law including nursing staff, porters and staff from external organisations. Liaise with and be responsible for supporting the Medical Examiners to enable every death to be scrutinised prior to the issuing of the medical certificate for cause of death (MCCD).
About us
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes
We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services
Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you
Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A
Job description Job responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
Person Specification
Experience and Qualifications Essential
Holds the RSPH Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology Substantial years post qualification experience. Holds a leadership and management qualification at degree level and/or equivalent experience. An understanding of Human Tissue Authority Codes of Practice, Regulatory compliance and standards
Desirable
Further formal qualifications relevant to the job role. Has attended an audit skill course.
Experience & Knowledge Essential
Substantial continuous mortuary practice experience. Business planning. Process redesign. Understanding of relevant government agenda and legislation. Change management Able to show an extensive and thorough knowledge of all aspects of the mortuary service. Experience of managing, mentoring and training staff. Extensive leadership and management experience with an ability to lead a team and manage staff through a range of HR processes. Detailed knowledge of HTA regulations and experience of external QA inspection. Proven experience of Quality management and clinical governance processes including audit. Able to perform clinical and technical risk assessments and resolve issues or investigate complaints as part of Clinical Governance. Financial management. Extensive knowledge of national and professional and NHS guidelines relating to service provision and quality.
Desirable
Experience of service development and strategic planning. Project management experience. Participation in Continual Professional Development through the AAPT.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Address Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals
Colchester and Ipswich
IP4 5PD
Employer's website https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)