Bereavement Advisor

Job summary

**12 Months Fixed term contract/ secondment opportunity until 30/11/2025**

Bereavement advisors are a key link between the trust's clinicians and the patient's next-of-kin following the death of a patient in the hospital. Advisors will offer guidance to the next of kin to ensure medical certificates of cause of death are completed and issued promptly. This involves telephone contact with the bereaved to discuss the process of arranging a funeral and registering the death. Bereavement advisors do not however provide a counselling service. Advisors liaise with clinical and ward staff to help ensure that documentation is completed accurately and on time. Advisors are also involved in updating the service's database, and general clerical tasks.

The team liaises with mortuary staff, coroner's officers, registration service and ward staff to enable deceased patients to be released into the care of the chosen funeral director.

The Medical Examiner also service works closely with bereavement services. Medical examiners are involved with the independent scrutiny of deceased patient's medical records and link in with the patient safety processes.

Main duties of the job

Deliver an efficient and accurate administration and support service to the bereaved, clinical staff, chaplaincy team and the Medical Examiner. Communicate and explain to the bereaved the processes involved, providing support as required. Ensure that death documentation and legal processes are completed accurately and within departmental targets, enabling the bereaved to register the death and proceed with funeral arrangements.

Liaise with other services including the mortuary staff, funeral directors, registration service and the coroner's service.

Full-time or part-time candidates will be considered. Please note that the selection process will initially be an interview process. Candidates successful at the interview will be invited back to a second interview, which will involve the candidate spending approximately an hour with the bereavement team before a final decision is made.

About us

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff

The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

Flexible working hours Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service Multi Faith prayer room Discounted gym memberships Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site Free 24-hours confidential counselling support On-site Nursery On-site cafes offering staff discounts Support in career development Flexible staff bank Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Check the patients medical records and notification of death form to identify the patients next of kin, friend or designated representative and identify the appropriate clinical staff to contact. Make arrangements for the clinician to attend the bereavement office to complete the death certificate and cremation or burial paperwork.

2. Contact the deceased patients next of kin or designated representative via telephone, book an appointment for them to collect the death certificate and any property/valuables. This will include sensitive calls to/from the bereaved who may be very distressed. Offer guidance, advice and support to the bereaved, ensuring they have a clear understanding of the process in respect of registering deaths and making funeral arrangements. Deal with bereaved persons who may have difficult family situations or circumstances

3. Liaise with clinical staff and medical Examiner/Officer, ensure the MCCD is completed accurately, within departmental target times and in line with statutory requirements, support and provide advice to clinical staff when required.

Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 3229 does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer). The Trust would not be able to issue a

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