Bereavement Officer

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.

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

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.

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

The Bereavement admin team, is a small but busy service. With staff that have specialist knowledge, and are able to provide support and guidance to families following the loss of a loved one.

We work closely with Bereavement Nurses, the Medical Examiners, Medical teams, Nursing staff and wider communities.

The role involves having compassion and empathy to families, and having excellent communication skills.

Staff within the team, strive to provide an exceptional service. And to make sure that the families do not encounter any further distress.

Responsible for preparation of all associated documentation needed, following the death of an inpatient.

Ensure Trust systems are updated and where appropriate retrieve case notes of deceased patients from relevant department as soon as possible each day.

Peruse the case notes/EPR to ensure completeness relating to the episode of care, and to identify a suitable doctor to contact to complete certification.

Consult the Rotas/Case notes/EPR to identify medical staff that are eligible to complete the Cause of Death Certificate and the Cremation form, where applicable ensuring adequate cover is provided for non-availability.

Have the Cause of Death Certificate ready for issue within 48 hours of the date of death. Escalate any difficulties in obtaining timely completion of the documentation to the Bereavement Service Manager or the Bereavement and Donor Lead Nurse in accordance with the Departmental protocol.

Arrange for the release of the Cause of Death certificate, inform the appointed person of the legal requirement to register the death at the local Registrar’s Office.

Arrange for any personal belongings and valuables to be released to an appointed representative of the deceased. Liaise with the Cashier/General Office/Treasury as necessary.

Identify and request the attendance of an appropriate member of the medical team who is eligible to complete the Cause of Death certificate and the Cremation form (Parts 1 and 2) if applicable

Work in conjunction with the Medical Examiners team, in relation to the scrutiny of each deceased patient’s case.

Respond to requests from local Funeral Directors, regarding the preparation of Documentation required for the purpose of cremation.

Responsible for ensuring all fees are received from Funeral Directors in respect of payment for completing the Cremation forms prior to the release of the body. Ensuring monies are banked, recorded and signatures obtained. Ensure that cheques in relation to cremation forms are passed on to the relevant doctors.

Ability to have excellent communications skills to be able to diffuse situations that may have been escalated and to them to resolve in a timely manner.

Where appropriate and after all procedures have been followed, liaise with the appointed Funeral Directors to arrange a funeral, and deal with related administration.

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

Keyboard skills