Government seeks mortuary workers in anticipation of rising coronavirus death toll

A disturbing government job ad has appeared online seeking extra mortuary workers in response to COVID-19.

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A confronting Queensland Health job ad seeking four mortuary workers in response to the coronavirus pandemic appeared online Friday evening.

Titled “Operational Officers – Mortuary – COVID 19 EOI”, the ad on the state government’s Smart Jobs website asked for applicants who were “resilient, able to lift and manoeuvre deceased bodies that are awaiting forensic investigation” and available immediately.

“Please do not apply for this role if you are not prepared to work under demanding conditions,” it stated.

There has been a concerning call out for morgue workers in Queensland. Picture: iStock

Successful applicants would receive a week of training, must be vaccinated for hepatitis A and B, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), pertussis (whooping cough), chickenpox and tetanus.

Although the Coopers Plains-based jobs were temporary, six-month positions, the ad stated there was also the possibility of the role being extended.

Positions paid $2155 to $2251 a fortnight, or the equivalent of about $56,000 to $58,500 a year.

Applications close Sunday (April 5).

There are more than 500 Queensland Health jobs currently available. Picture: iStock

There were 515 Queensland Health jobs currently listed on Smart Jobs, including 231 in Brisbane, 44 in Cairns and 32 on the Gold Coast.

As at 3pm Friday afternoon, the Australian Government’s Department of Health reported 5350

confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia, including 873 in Queensland.

The state’s death toll was at four.