Bereavement Officer

**Job overview**:
**We now have a vacancy for a part time (25.5 hours) Band 3 Bereavement Officer to work at the Royal Oldham Hospital which is part of the Northern Care Alliance.**

The post holder is responsible for co-ordinating and issuing the Medical Certificate Cause of Death and all associated administration duties. The post involves considerable contact with relatives and those associated with the deceased patient, Funeral Directors, Medical staff, Coroner’s Office, Medical Examiners Team, Trust employees and relevant outside agencies. The post holder must work to all Trust Policies, procedures, and legal requirements.

**Main duties of the job**:
Provide telephone and face to face support and guidance, to relatives. And explain the next steps following the death of their relative in the hospital.

Liaise with medical and technical staff within the Trust, Funeral Directors, Registrars, Coroner’s Office, other outside agencies, next of kin, relatives and friends or the appointee of the deceased as required, being professional at all times.

Deal with correspondence and telephone calls of a sensitive and confidential nature.

To be aware of differing religious and cultural beliefs, relating to death. And supporting families so that specific wishes and requests are met where possible.

Relaying sensitive information using tact, diplomacy, and empathy where the need arises.

To ensure that Coroners’ referrals are completed within the agreed policy timescales by the medical teams.

To plan, prioritise, and adapt to a time critical service.

To work flexibly and to work additional hours as and when required to meet the demands of the service. To provide temporary cover on other hospital sites as and when required on an ad hoc basis.

**Working for our organisation**:
The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we’re always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire - to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.

**Detailed job description and main responsibilities**:
**Person specification**:
**Skils & Abilities**:
**Essential criteria**:

- To be able to priorities and mange own workload effectively.
- Demonstrate good verbal communication skills to liaise with all levels of staff and the public.
- Full awareness of the importance of exercising confidentiality always.
- Able to deal with the public in a professional manor.
- Able to work within a multidisciplinary team and maintain good working relationships.
- Be able to recognise and act to minimise stressful situations.

**Knowledge, Training & Experience**:
**Desirable criteria**:

- Health Service experience.
- Evidence of recent experience.

**Qualifications**:
**Essential criteria**:

- NVQ level 3 in business admin or equivalent experience.
- GCSE in Maths & English (Grade C minimum or equivalent level of experience)
- We understand the importance of balancing work and home life. We are committed to supporting flexible working for our people wherever possible and all our colleagues are given the opportunity to discuss potential for flexible working. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) serves a diverse population, and each Care Organisation works hard to ensure all services are accessible and fair.

We respect the value of difference. So, our aim is to employ a workforce representative of the communities we serve. Regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, trans status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, religion or belief, all are welcome.

**Please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any time should it be filled via the internal redeployment process.**

**Employer certification / accreditation badges**: