Apprenticeship training course

Mortuary technician (level 3)

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Information about Mortuary technician (level 3)

Ensure the effective operation of the mortuary and to assist colleagues in providing dignified care of the deceased.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • Industry standards, regulations and legislation relating to mortuary procedures and governance
  • Organisational policies, protocols and standard operating procedures, systems and applications
  • The required stock levels for consumables and sundries based on scope of practice
  • The importance of ensuring the Mortuary area is safely set up
  • The identification and prevention of further deterioration and decomposition of the deceased and the process to escalate issues
  • The importance of infection control and how to prevent and control the spread of infection within the workplace
  • The risks and control of chemical exposure
  • The implications of excessive size and weight of the deceased and how to safely handle the deceased
  • Risk assessments and the employee's responsibilities in line with organisational standards
  • The limits of own responsibilities
  • The equipment available to support and mitigate risks, how and when to utilise the equipment and how to report faults
  • How and when to safely remove medical equipment from the deceased
  • The implications of implants, when to remove from the deceased and escalation procedures
  • The organisation’s databases and systems for recording the journey of the deceased and their care information
  • The importance of treating each deceased with dignity and respect at all times
  • The importance of continuous professional development and how to research opportunities for development
  • Coaching and mentoring methods
  • Methods of communication
  • The importance of and how to complete and process all relevant paperwork
  • The legal implications surrounding specialist funeral services such as burial, cremation and repatriation
  • The individual needs of clients and family members and the impact that these have on the deceased’s time in mortuary care (such as: cultural, religious, age, gender requirements)
  • Mouth and eye closure techniques
  • How to, and the reasons for packing orifices
  • Personal grooming techniques in the care of the deceased including cosmetic application
  • Dressing techniques and rituals in the care of the deceased
  • The embalming process and specific requirements when supporting the embalmer
  • The anatomical structure of the human body
  • The physiology of anatomical systems in the human body
  • The structure and life cycles of bacteria, protozoa, fungi and viruses of relevance to human health
  • The procedure to record and retrieve tissue from a deceased person
  • The requirements for specialist post-mortem examinations
  • The documentation requirements for post-mortem examination consent and subsequent procedures
  • The specific requirements when supporting the pathologist
  • Industry standards, regulations and legislation relating to mortuary procedures and governance
  • Organisational policies, protocols and standard operating procedures, systems and applications
  • The required stock levels for consumables and sundries based on scope of practice
  • The importance of ensuring the Mortuary area is safely set up
  • The identification and prevention of further deterioration and decomposition of the deceased and the process to escalate issues
  • The importance of infection control and how to prevent and control the spread of infection within the workplace
  • The risks and control of chemical exposure
  • The implications of excessive size and weight of the deceased and how to safely handle the deceased
  • Risk assessments and the employee's responsibilities in line with organisational standards
  • The limits of own responsibilities
  • The equipment available to support and mitigate risks, how and when to utilise the equipment and how to report faults
  • How and when to safely remove medical equipment from the deceased
  • The implications of implants, when to remove from the deceased and escalation procedures
  • The organisation’s databases and systems for recording the journey of the deceased and their care information
  • The importance of treating each deceased with dignity and respect at all times
  • The importance of continuous professional development and how to research opportunities for development
  • Coaching and mentoring methods
  • Methods of communication
  • The importance of and how to complete and process all relevant paperwork
  • The legal implications surrounding specialist funeral services such as burial, cremation and repatriation
  • The individual needs of clients and family members and the impact that these have on the deceased’s time in mortuary care (such as: cultural, religious, age, gender requirements)
  • Mouth and eye closure techniques
  • How to, and the reasons for packing orifices
  • Personal grooming techniques in the care of the deceased including cosmetic application
  • Dressing techniques and rituals in the care of the deceased
  • The embalming process and specific requirements when supporting the embalmer
  • The anatomical structure of the human body
  • The physiology of anatomical systems in the human body
  • The structure and life cycles of bacteria, protozoa, fungi and viruses of relevance to human health
  • The procedure to record and retrieve tissue from a deceased person
  • The requirements for specialist post-mortem examinations
  • The documentation requirements for post-mortem examination consent and subsequent procedures
  • The specific requirements when supporting the pathologist

  Skills

  • Follow safe operating procedures to monitor and maintain the safety and hygienic condition of equipment and mortuary
  • Organise the repair and replacement of faulty / damaged equipment if necessary
  • Complete all relevant documents for each deceased in line with organisational system requirements reporting any discrepancies to the appropriate person
  • Carry out opening checks to ensure mortuary environment is safe and ready for use
  • Carry out stock rotation, control and replenishment in line with organisational systems and procedures
  • Order supplies as required within limits of authority
  • Carry out correct identification of the deceased, checking condition and recording personal effects and details on organisational database/system as required
  • Triage the deceased by assessing, prioritising and carrying out initial care as necessary and permitted within scope of practise
  • Complete on-going assessments, acting on and communicating any issues arising
  • Monitor the available spaces and communicate to line manager in line with organisational procedures
  • Complete necessary risk assessments on equipment and mortuary environment as required in line with organisational procedures
  • Dispose of or return soiled items according to legislation and organisational procedures
  • Carry out cleaning and disinfection processes in the care of the deceased according to client wishes
  • Prioritise workload to meet business and client demands
  • Demonstrate the use of communication methods, tools and skills, adapting technique and style to suit the individual
  • Monitor the progress of the deceased through the mortuary area reporting any issues to the appropriate person
  • Carry out quality checks at every interaction with the deceased
  • Carry out cleaning schedule in line with organisational requirements, reporting any issues to the appropriate person
  • Assist other colleagues within the mortuary environment as and when required
  • Apply manual handling and safe working practices in the completion of duties
  • Prepare the deceased for release and complete final quality checks before the deceased leaves the mortuary
  • Monitor the standard of care within the mortuary, identifying training and development needs and reporting to the appropriate person
  • Identify areas for self-development and maintain continuous professional development
  • Demonstrate and share best practice with the team
  • Prioritise workload considering initial assessment of the deceased, business, family members and client requirements, timescales and collaborate with the wider team
  • Accurately measure the deceased considering size and weight implications, communicate any concerns to the appropriate person
  • Prepare the deceased for embalming
  • Support the embalmer in the embalming process
  • Carry out preparation of the deceased for example, washing, feature setting, orifice packing, dressing, application of cosmetics, personal grooming and any specific individual requirements respecting religious and cultural beliefs
  • Implement family-specific and cultural needs and wishes
  • Carry out identification and personal effect checks at every interaction with the deceased
  • Prepare the deceased for post-mortem examination
  • Carry out external examination of the deceased
  • Carry out evisceration and dissection of the deceased under the direction of supervisory staff
  • Carry out examination of dissected organs and structures
  • Carry out reconstruction of the deceased following post-mortem examination
  • Carry out procedures for tissue retrieval and recording under the direction of supervisory staff
  • Follow safe operating procedures to monitor and maintain the safety and hygienic condition of equipment and mortuary
  • Organise the repair and replacement of faulty / damaged equipment if necessary
  • Complete all relevant documents for each deceased in line with organisational system requirements reporting any discrepancies to the appropriate person
  • Carry out opening checks to ensure mortuary environment is safe and ready for use
  • Carry out stock rotation, control and replenishment in line with organisational systems and procedures
  • Order supplies as required within limits of authority
  • Carry out correct identification of the deceased, checking condition and recording personal effects and details on organisational database/system as required
  • Triage the deceased by assessing, prioritising and carrying out initial care as necessary and permitted within scope of practise
  • Complete on-going assessments, acting on and communicating any issues arising
  • Monitor the available spaces and communicate to line manager in line with organisational procedures
  • Complete necessary risk assessments on equipment and mortuary environment as required in line with organisational procedures
  • Dispose of or return soiled items according to legislation and organisational procedures
  • Carry out cleaning and disinfection processes in the care of the deceased according to client wishes
  • Prioritise workload to meet business and client demands
  • Demonstrate the use of communication methods, tools and skills, adapting technique and style to suit the individual
  • Monitor the progress of the deceased through the mortuary area reporting any issues to the appropriate person
  • Carry out quality checks at every interaction with the deceased
  • Carry out cleaning schedule in line with organisational requirements, reporting any issues to the appropriate person
  • Assist other colleagues within the mortuary environment as and when required
  • Apply manual handling and safe working practices in the completion of duties
  • Prepare the deceased for release and complete final quality checks before the deceased leaves the mortuary
  • Monitor the standard of care within the mortuary, identifying training and development needs and reporting to the appropriate person
  • Identify areas for self-development and maintain continuous professional development
  • Demonstrate and share best practice with the team
  • Prioritise workload considering initial assessment of the deceased, business, family members and client requirements, timescales and collaborate with the wider team
  • Accurately measure the deceased considering size and weight implications, communicate any concerns to the appropriate person
  • Prepare the deceased for embalming
  • Support the embalmer in the embalming process
  • Carry out preparation of the deceased for example, washing, feature setting, orifice packing, dressing, application of cosmetics, personal grooming and any specific individual requirements respecting religious and cultural beliefs
  • Implement family-specific and cultural needs and wishes
  • Carry out identification and personal effect checks at every interaction with the deceased
  • Prepare the deceased for post-mortem examination
  • Carry out external examination of the deceased
  • Carry out evisceration and dissection of the deceased under the direction of supervisory staff
  • Carry out examination of dissected organs and structures
  • Carry out reconstruction of the deceased following post-mortem examination
  • Carry out procedures for tissue retrieval and recording under the direction of supervisory staff

  Behaviours

  • Treat colleagues and the deceased with respect and dignity
  • Maintain professionalism at all times
  • Be considerate of the diverse needs of individuals
  • Demonstrate attention to detail
  • Demonstrate empathy and sensitivity
  • Be adaptable and flexible to situations as they arise
  • Treat colleagues and the deceased with respect and dignity
  • Maintain professionalism at all times
  • Be considerate of the diverse needs of individuals
  • Demonstrate attention to detail
  • Demonstrate empathy and sensitivity
  • Be adaptable and flexible to situations as they arise
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Health and science
• Qualification level: 3; Equal to A level
• Course duration: 18 months
• Maximum funding: £13,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Anatomical pathology technologist
  • Embalming assistant
  • Mortuary assistant
  • Mortuary technician

View more information about Mortuary technician (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.