Bereavement Officer

We are looking for 2 part time Bereavement Officers to work in the Mortuary and Bereavement department at King's College Hospital Denmark Hill site.

The post holders will take part in the running of the Bereavement office ensuring high quality and responsive service, meeting both regulatory and accreditation specifically HTA and UKAS.

You will work closely with relatives of deceased patients, a wide range of healthcare professionals and external stakeholders. You must be able to respond appropriately and sensitively to a diverse group at a difficult time in their lives and be capable of working with competing demands in a calm and professional manner. You will be able to deliver information in a clear and precise way.

To provide a professional, proactive and sensitive service to bereaved relatives, whilst ensuring the Trust's statutory obligations are fulfilled.

To take part in continuously review practice and develop policies which incorporate national guidance and Human Tissue Authority Legislation.

To work closely with other key professionals both within and outside the Trust in order to meet individual needs.

To promote an awareness of bereavement issues within the a multi faith, multi cultural enviroment.

Work in parallel with the Medical Examiner's Office and working alongside Medical Examiners Officers and Medical Examiners to provide a service and to take part in the work of the Bereavement Hub.

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and around 14,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King’s College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in Bromley.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

The trust-wide strategy Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we can take Team King’s to another level.

Key Responsibilities
1. Liaising with both internal and external users of the service, by phone and in person.
2. To take part in daily meetings with the bereavement supervisor to discuss daily deaths.
3. Provide a high quality service to the bereaved ensuring that all advice and documentation is given in a clear and caring manner.
4. To provide the bereaved with the appropriate documentation and offer support and guidance. Information given may be of a highly sensitive nature.
5. To assist the bereaved by answering any questions they may raise, arranging for them to speak or contact the most appropriate person or agency. To deal with bereaved persons who may have difficult family situations or circumstances.
6. To assist with the arrangement of appointments with the Registrar of Births and Deaths on behalf of the bereaved.
7. Liaise with the cashiers and wards regarding patient’s property and valuables.
8. Act on enquiries and complaints by the bereaved directing them to the appropriate persons needed to answer their enquiries. Provide information regarding PALS and/or the Trusts complaints procedure if appropriate.
9. Liaise with the Anatomy office, regarding donation of bodies left to medical science.
10. Liaise with the hospital chaplaincy team for spiritual support for the bereaved.
11. Liaise with the bereavement midwife, delivery suite and SCBU following the death of a baby.
12. Liaise with funeral directors or authorised persons
13. Ensure cultural and religious beliefs are respected and complied with at all times.
14. Notify General Practitioners of deaths.
15. To check stocks of stationery in the department regularly and replenish/order as necessary.
16. To be familiar with Q-Pulse quality system and ensure all documents are read and acknowledged when reviewed and updated.
17. To be familiar with Eden and ensure that all communication is recorded on Eden.
18. To work alongside the Bereavement Hub Lead and Deputy with follow up calls and to be responsible for families allocated to them and to sign post the relatives to the relevant internal or external organisations for further support.
19. To take part in regular Bereavement Hub and long stayer meetings with the whole bere