Job Title: Deceased Body Retrieval Team Member (DRT)

Location: Based in Wimbledon

Job Type: Self-employed / Full time

Job Summary:

The Deceased Body Retrieval Team Member is responsible for the timely and respectful retrieval of deceased individuals from various locations, including homes, hospitals, accident scenes, and public areas. This crucial role requires compassion, professionalism, and a strong sense of responsibility to handle sensitive situations with consistent and well delivered dignity and care. You will be working as part of a full-time response teams in and around London, on a shift pattern to be agreed with the candidate.

Key Responsibilities:

Respond to Calls: Promptly respond to calls from the control room to retrieve deceased individuals.
Coordinate Logistics: Coordinate with team members and dispatch centre to ensure efficient and timely retrieval operations.
Ensure Compliance: Adhere to all legal and regulatory requirements related to deceased body retrieval, including documentation, transportation, reporting and handling procedures.
Maintain Dignity: Handle deceased individuals with the utmost respect and dignity, ensuring their proper identification and secure and dignified transportation.
Communicate Professionally: Interact with clients, family members, and other stakeholders with clarity, empathy, professionalism, and sensitivity.
Maintain Equipment: Regularly inspect, clean, and maintain retrieval equipment, vehicles, and personal protective gear to ensure safe and effective operations.
Documentation: Complete all necessary compliance paperwork accurately and promptly, including incident reports, inventory logs, and chain of custody documentation to a high standard without error.
Team Collaboration: Work collaboratively with other team members, our control room and healthcare professionals to ensure seamless coordination during retrieval operations.
Training and Development: Participate in ongoing training and professional development activities to enhance skills and stay updated on industry best practices.
Emergency Response: Be prepared to respond to emergency situations and work under pressure to fulfil critical retrieval requests.

Qualifications:

Previous experience in a related field, such as ambulance patient transport, funeral services, or healthcare involving the movement and manual handing of patients/deceased is desirable.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to interact compassionately and professionally with individuals in distress as well as authorities and emergency services.
Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment and local authorities.
Physical fitness and stamina to perform retrieval duties, including lifting and moving deceased individuals and operating equipment.
Valid driver’s license with no more that 3 points; willingness to undergo background checks and drug screenings as required. Experience of driving in London and main roads/route knowledge preferred.
Compassion, empathy, and a respectful attitude toward deceased individuals and their families at all times.

Working Conditions: Fixed shift rota available.

4 on 4 off shift paten (Days and Nights) – 42 hour working week
Monday to Sunday – 48 hour working week
Exposure to potentially distressing or emotionally challenging situations involving deceased individuals and grieving family members.
Ability to work outdoors and in various weather conditions, as well as in confined spaces and potentially hazardous environments.
Physical demands include lifting, bending, kneeling, and standing for extended periods, as well as operating heavy equipment and vehicles.

Willing to be immunised against blood born viruses.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary range:

Employed

Weekdays – £13.85ph days shift & £14.85ph night shift

Weekends – £14.85ph day shift & £15.85ph night shift

Self-employed

Weekdays £14.85ph days shift & £15.85ph night shift

Weekends – £15.85ph day shift & £16.85ph night shift

Employed benefits package may include, paid holiday and professional development opportunities.

Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not exhaustive. Duties and responsibilities may be subject to change based on organisational needs and operational requirements. DBS criminal record checks will be conducted.

Additional: To give your full attention to one of the final stages of someone’s life is a privilege and opportunity to offer a compassionate service that few get to experience. The job can be demanding and we understand that it is not for everyone, so please consider this before applying. If you have previous relevant experience working for a funeral director and having worked on deceased removal around London would be of benefit for consideration,

You will be working for a company that delivers excellence through it’s committed staff diligence and commitment to care. You will be joining a team who genuinely look out for and care for each other, so be ready to bring all you have as it will be well received and rewarded with an opportunity to grow within the business.

If you are a motivated individual with a strong operational background and a passion for delivering exceptional service, we want to hear from you! Join us in driving excellence and making a difference in the lives of our patients.

Apply now by completing this form

Experts in Complex and International Patient Transfers

Delivering Trusted Ambulance & Medical Repatriation Services Across the UK & Europe

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Who are we?

BM Ambulance Service is a private medical ambulance provider with bases in Kent, London Biggin Hill Airport, and Alicante, Spain. We deliver 24/7 medical transport and repatriation across the UK and Europe for individuals, hospitals, insurers, and NHS partners.

Our services include:

A Service You Can Trust

BM Ambulance Service is trusted by NHS trusts, private hospitals, insurers, and individuals across the UK and Europe. Since 2015, we’ve delivered private ambulance and medical repatriation services with professionalism and compassion.

Our modern fleet includes HDU, cardiac, long-distance, PTS, Secure Mental Health, and Neonatal and Paediatric — supported by experienced medics and a dedicated 24/7 bookings team.

We also provide TV and film unit support, event medical cover, and certified training courses across the UK and Spain.

Whatever your medical transport needs — local or international — we’re here to provide safe, reliable care, wherever and whenever it’s needed.

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What our clients say.

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Scarlet E, Incapacitated family member from Menorca

Couldn’t be happier with the 5* service provided by Craig and the team. As a family bringing back an incapacitated family member from Menorca, we were at a loss as to how to get him back and BM Ambulance took away all our stress and worry and brought him back within a few days of us enquiring. They went over and above making sure both the client and the family were comfortable and happy with the service, providing regular updates, offering WhatsApp group updates and live location pings. Craig wrote a letter to the incapacitated client so he could stay calm and in the know the whole way home (he suffers ST memory loss and confusion). I highly recommend BM Ambulance Service, extremely trustworthy, professional team who happily solved a big (and very worrying) problem for us and got our loved one back to safety of the UK.

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Helen Temple-Edwards, France to UK

The best service for a stressful and upsetting time. My grandmother was in the best care, treated respectfully and we were in constant communication with the service. Tracking the ambulance was a game changer and we all felt better knowing she was in good hands. Huge thank you to Craig, Ben, John, Karen, Jordan, Chris and Dave!

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Freya Beardsley, Dubrovnik to the UK

I have thought for days how to write this review… I have come to the conclusion that no words in the English dictionary can describe how grateful and thankful I am for the repatriation of my dad. The skills and professionalism of this team was outstanding; the constant updates and tracking information was very reassuring too. If I was ever to be in this situation again I would without a doubt contact BM ambulances 🙂

Love Freya

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Jamie-Lee Davidson

After having a few issues for 7 years getting my 94 year old grandmother the right care in her nursing home we decided to move her. As we were arranging this we were let down by another company.

I called BM and without hesitation they booked us straight in. The care and empathy & advice they had for me over the phone as I was getting upset about it all was so reassuring that my grandma was in the right hands. When they came to pick her up the two paramedics stepped in to help us as we were being ignored by the staff at the home about what we wanted.

The journey to her new nursing home was without fault and they waited patiently and were very kind as moving our grandma had been stressful before they arrived. They waited until both my grandma and us the family felt settled. I can’t praise them enough and I highly recommend them as a service.

Thank you to you all.

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Janet Smith

I contacted B M Ambulance service from Spain on the internet regarding the repatriation of my partner following a severe stroke. I feel this company dealt with all aspects of this repatriation with sensitivity understanding and professionalism.
I had a number if phone calls and exchange of emails with them. They liaised with the Dr at the hospital in Spain and arranged an admission with my chosen hospital in the Uk. They inspired me with confidence and arrived at the appointed time at the Spanish hospital for the handover from the Dr in Spain.

When transferred to the ambulance many tests were done to verify his ability to travel. I was updated throughout the journey and their location was available throughout via What’s App, and I was regularly messaged as to his condition. The whole journey took 27 hours and in that time I was able to fly back and be there at the UK hospital.
. He was monitored on the journey and I was delighted with how he had coped with his journey.. there had been two crews involved and. he was handed over to the Uk hospital in a very professional manner.
I would have no hesitation in recommending this company.
Thank you to all involved in this repatriation and a very Happy New Year to you all.

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Letitia Harris

Thanks for yet another well organised journey to Guy’s hospital. With very special thanks to Charlie and Andrea for a safe journey there and back, done with the utmost thought care and kindness. Nothing is too much trouble for these two lovely ladies who are a real credit to the BM Ambulance service.

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Annie Bird

I recommend BM Ambulance Service very highly indeed. In the middle of the Covid pandemic, they managed to take a dear friend who had been seriously ill for months in France back to England and her family and friends.

They were efficient, helpful, and so friendly.

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Elaine Miles

We would wholeheartedly recommend BM Ambulance Services. We requested a transfer from hospital to home, requiring a stretcher, for our elderly mum when the NHS ambulance was cancelled.

Sarah organised this for us very efficiently and within 2 hours of our call she was on her way home with a friendly capable crew.

Thank you very much

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Andrea W

UK hospital to hospital Intensive care Transfer. We had a successful patient transfer supported by BM-ambulance service.

They definitely went the ‘extra mile’, along with extremely proficient support, quality driving and so helpful in every way. I would recommend them above the rest.

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Maddie Ford

BM ambulance is one of the best companies I have trained with on their medical courses, the trainers and all the staff are amazing people and extremely professional. Would highly recommend them as a company for their services and training.

Craig and Simon are extremely professional at what they do.

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Wendy Hill

I cannot say how good this service was,from talking to them about pick up from hospital and taking our son home. They were excellent picked up on time on the worst storm in years ,staff was so caring and helpfull, l would recommend this company you could not get a better service and very good rates. Many Thanks for a great job.

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Chez Gourcilloux

My parents had been safely repatriated to the UK

From the very first point of contact to the final online message that my parents had been safely repatriated to the UK the service and care was second to no one. The ease of administration, itemised quotation and payment options, absolutely everything was clear, easy and worked perfectly.

Repatriation from France to the UK in “normal” times would be difficult, but during a pandemic and the constant changing rules from both countries, the COVID-19 tests and border control paperwork was all handled including the care, hospitality, comfort and professionalism nothing was too much trouble.

They made two worried octogenarians, very at ease during a very frightening time – in fact they made the whole family very at ease, right down to being able to track the full journey door to door.

If you are looking for medical repatriation to the UK I can highly recommend BM Ambulance Group

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Sabe Karunananthan

BM Ambulance Service helped my son get home after he fell ill in France. They were fantastic from the start to finish. I do hope we never have to go through this again but if you are unfortunate enough to need this, I would highly recommend.

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