(**) Deputy Mortuary Manager

VerseOne Group; Basildon; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Deputy Mortuary Manager for the Basildon site. The role supports a safe, secure and comprehensive mortuary and postmortem service for the Trust, Pathologists, the Coroner and the community.

You will supervise junior staff, work at an advanced level, and handle on-call duties as required to maintain high-quality care and compassionate service across our mortuary operations.

Qualifications

• HTA standards knowledge and mortuary compliance expertise.
• Experience with advanced postmortem techniques and infection control.
• Strong Health & Safety knowledge and related law.
• Broad governance knowledge and risk management.
• Evidence of CPD and ongoing professional development.
• Experience in staff management.

Responsibilities

• Assist Pathologist during procedures and ensure SOPs are followed.
• Maintain mortuary equipment cleanliness and perform basic maintenance.
• Apply correct techniques during postmortem examinations and minimize hazards.
• Ensure compliance with mortuary laws and codes of practice.
• Supervise visitors and support grieving relatives.
• Train and develop junior staff; liaise with funeral directors and others.
• Collaborate with Mortuary Manager to meet licensing/regulatory requirements.
• Communicate with clinical and non-clinical teams to deliver efficient service.
• Deputise for Mortuary Manager and participate in on-call rota.

Skills

HTA standards

Postmortem techniques

Health & Safety

Governance

Risk management

CPD

Staff management

Education

RSPH Anatomical Pathology Tech Diploma or Level 3/4

GCSE Maths and English

Relevant degree or experience

Job description

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is one of the biggest trusts in the country, following the merger of Mid Essex, Basildon and Southend hospitals in April 2020.

Main area Anatomical Pathology Grade Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (includes on-call as required) Job ref 390-NR-CSS-BA-3814

Site Basildon Town Basildon Salary £39,959 Per Annum (Pro Rata for part time) Salary period Yearly Closing 11/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 25/11/2026

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.

Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.

We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Mortuary Postmortem Service at Mid and South Essex NHS TRUST (MSEFT) for a Deputy Mortuary Manager supporting delivery of the postmortem service.

You will provide a specialist safe, secure, effective, and comprehensive mortuary and postmortem service for the needs of Mid and South Essex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Pathologists, Coroner, and the Community.

As part of this role, you will be required to manage the daily support and supervision of junior staff. You will be required to hold at work unsupervised and perform a broad range of duties and will provide an advanced level of theoretical and practical knowledge and experience; to equip our staff with the skills they need to deliver a high-quality and compassionate service.

Main duties of the job

If successful, you will:

• Provide practical assistance to the Pathologist whilst in attendance and ensure that safe practices and Standard Operating Procedures are adhered to in every aspect of the department’s work.
• Be responsible for essential user maintenance and excellent standards of cleanliness of mortuary equipment as required. The post holder will
• Ensure that appropriate techniques are applied by staff when assisting in postmortem examinations and identify potential hazards to health and take measures to eliminate or minimise risks in the Mortuary.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the laws and codes of practice relating to the Mortuary and all aspects of its function including those in relation to deceased and ensure that all staff adhere to these.
• Supervise all visitors to the department and deal sympathetically with grieving relatives.
• Train, manage and develop junior personnel and promote excellence and respect in the management of deceased when liaising with Funeral Directors, Porters, and other agencies.
• Work with the Mortuary Manager to ensure that full implementation of licencing and regulatory requirements are met.
• Communicate and liaise with clinical and non-clinical Trust staff, Chaplaincy, HM Coroners, Police and Funeral Directors to ensure delivery of a professional and efficient mortuary service.
• Deputise for the Mortuary Manager in their absence and will be expected to participate in the mortuary on call service

Working for our organisation

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.

Unfortunately, there is no Visa Sponsorship available for this role. Whilst we are able to employ candidates on a graduate Visa, we are unable to offer sponsorship once the graduate visa expires.

Knowledge and Experience

• Advanced knowledge of Human Tissue Authority (HTA) standards and how mortuary compliance can be demonstrated.
• Advanced knowledge of modern mortuary practice and techniques which may have been acquired from experience as a APT including advanced postmortem, forensic and infection procedures.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety issues and relative legislation
• Broad knowledge of governance processes
• Experience of risk assessment and risk management
• Evidence of continual professional development (CPD).
• Previous experience of staff management

Qualifications

• RSPH Certificate and Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or Level 3 and Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology
• GCSE Maths and English or equivalent experience
• Relevant degree or equivalent workplace experience.

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values, please be advised that the use of AI in applications are monitored. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn't accurately reflect their skills, and you will be required to declare on your application if AI has been used before submitting your application.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.