What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mortuary Technical Assistant position at Freeman Hospital?
Employer heading
Mortuary Technical Assistant
Band 2
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 15,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.6 billion.
We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country, supporting people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts each day, delivering high standards of healthcare.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.
Job Overview
The Cellular Pathology Department provides Histology, Neuropathology, Diagnostic Cytology, Research and Mortuary Services. We have an exciting opportunity in support of our autopsy service expansion for which we have vacancies for two Mortuary Technical Assistants.
We provide a regional centralised autopsy service including CT scanning alongside end of life and post mortem care. As a specialist centre we conduct forensic, perinatal and neuropathology post mortem, and receive multiple coroner jurisdiction referrals. We work closely with the chaplaincy and bereavement teams in supporting families and facilitate viewings. The postholders will be points of contact for visitors to the Mortuaries and support the team within the department.
Main duties of the job
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals occupies two mortuary sites at Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospitals. Applicants will be working alongside the Anatomical Pathology Technician team, and other assistants and should meet the essential criteria of the role. We have out of hour shift cover for PMCT scanning, which successful applicants will rotate onto, offering a combination of daytime, night and weekend shifts for the PMCT scanning to support the growing service delivery. Previous NHS or end of life care experience such as with funeral directors is advantageous, full training will be provided.
Working for our organisation
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under ‘Documents to download’ or ‘Supporting documents’.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Gary Miller Job title Mortuary Operations Manager Email address gary.miller4@nhs.net Telephone number 0191 2821590
Mortuary Technical Assistant
Band 2
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 15,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.6 billion.
We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country, supporting people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts each day, delivering high standards of healthcare.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.
Job Overview
The Cellular Pathology Department provides Histology, Neuropathology, Diagnostic Cytology, Research and Mortuary Services. We have an exciting opportunity in support of our autopsy service expansion for which we have vacancies for two Mortuary Technical Assistants.
We provide a regional centralised autopsy service including CT scanning alongside end of life and post mortem care. As a specialist centre we conduct forensic, perinatal and neuropathology post mortem, and receive multiple coroner jurisdiction referrals. We work closely with the chaplaincy and bereavement teams in supporting families and facilitate viewings. The postholders will be points of contact for visitors to the Mortuaries and support the team within the department.
- Interview Date: 11th December 2025
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
Main duties of the job
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals occupies two mortuary sites at Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospitals. Applicants will be working alongside the Anatomical Pathology Technician team, and other assistants and should meet the essential criteria of the role. We have out of hour shift cover for PMCT scanning, which successful applicants will rotate onto, offering a combination of daytime, night and weekend shifts for the PMCT scanning to support the growing service delivery. Previous NHS or end of life care experience such as with funeral directors is advantageous, full training will be provided.
Working for our organisation
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
- Freeman Hospital
- Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
- Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
- Newcastle Dental Hospital
- Newcastle Fertility Centre
- Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
- Northern Genetics Service
- Cramlington Manor Walks
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under ‘Documents to download’ or ‘Supporting documents’.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
- To participate as part of a team in providing a mortuary and autopsy service to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Medical Staff, Police and HM Coroner together with Funeral Directors and other legitimate users of the service.
- To assist the Anatomical Pathology Technicians (APT) by handling “front of house” duties such as receiving and releasing bodies, answering telephone calls, helping undertakers with bodies etc.
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
- Good general level of education (literacy and numeracy) or equivalent experience
- Driving Licence
Essential criteria
- Experience of dealing with bereaved relatives
- Good communication
- Dextrous – good hand-eye co-ordination
- Requirement to move bodies of up to 256kg with the aid of mechanical equipment
- Experience of working in the NHS
- Understanding of Health & Safety
- Experience of operating mechanical equipment
Essential criteria
- Self-organisation and the ability to prioritise
- Able to concentrate for long periods
- Keyboard Skills
- Able to lift weights of 10kg or more
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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.
Documents to download
- JD & PS (PDF, 127.5KB)
- Newcastle Staff Benefits (PDF, 274.4KB)
- Behaviour and Civility Charter (PDF, 93.8KB)
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Gary Miller Job title Mortuary Operations Manager Email address gary.miller4@nhs.net Telephone number 0191 2821590