Bereavement Officer

Assist in the day-to-day running of the office and provide guidance to those using the service.

Liaise with medical staff regarding the completion of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), in accordance with agreed procedures.

Maintain accurate and concise records of patient's death and to ensure that all relevant health care agencies receive accurate and prompt notification of the patient's death.

Ensure notification of death letters are sent to the deceased's GP on the day the certificates are completed.

Ensure that all wards and critical care areas have adequate information and resources for the newly bereaved.

Assist in the facilitation of documentation for Public Health Funerals, with the local councils, where there is no next of kin.

Under the direction of the bereavement lead, support service development projects and assist with providing education to Trust staff about the bereavement service, in accordance with established procedures.

To work collaboratively with other Trust departments including Safeguarding, Infection control and the Mortality Review committee to ensure timely access to required information is provided

Maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of the deceased and the bereaved to ensure equality to any group defined by sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.

Process paperwork for donation of organs where the deceased is known to have expressed a wish for the same. Inform school of anatomy bequests of bodies.

Refers cases when a patient has died without next of kin to the local council.

To maintain accurate records of department activity daily.

To work collaboratively with all departments and other external agencies to ensure arrangements for those with faith requirements take place in a timely way.

Maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of the deceased and the bereaved to ensure equality to any group defined by sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

Qualifications

Essential: - Educated to NVQ level 2 plus additional experience equating to NVQ 3; - Good level of computer literacy.

Desirable: - Knowledge of databases and spreadsheets

Experience

Knowledge

Desirable: - General knowledge of clinical/medical terminology

Personal Qualities

Desirable: - Excellent attention to detail and good organisational skills