The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust

Bereavement Officer

This job is now closed

Job summary

Permanent, full time position.

An opportunity has arisen to work within the small team of the Medical Examiners Office, to assist in supporting the service and impact on the care of bereaved families.

The successful applicant will essentially be a people person - caring, methodical, calm under pressure, IT literate, team player. Good interpersonal and telephone skills are essential as the job involves daily contact with bereaved families, and the ability to work as part of a team is essential.

The office is very busy, mentally taxing and sometimes emotionally demanding.

The successful candidate will need to work very closely with the Medical Examiner officers, Coroner's office and Register office to ensure that statutory and mandatory paperwork is completed correctly, ensuring that bereaved families are given an excellent and compassionate service.

Main duties of the job

-Maintenance of electronic records for all deceased patients.

-Ensure that the patients notes are received into the office from the wards.

-Check medical notes on meditech to ascertain identity of doctor(s) eligible to complete cause of death certificate (MCCD) tothe Medical Examiner Officer.

-Carry out duties outlined in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

-To liaise with Finance re: property placed in night safe.

-To assist relatives in the organisation of an appointment to register the death.

-To assist relatives with the return of personal belongings and providing relative with contact details of funeral directors if required.

-Liaising with Crematorium/cemetery about funeral information and Crematorium/cemetery closures during Bank Holiday periods.

-Where requested, take relatives to the mortuary viewing area and remain with them until viewing is completed (out with pandemic rules).

-Support the Medical Examiners service and when required assist the medical examiner officer(s).

-Travel to Riverside to register deaths.

-To liaise with Crematorium with regards to scattering of deceaseds remains.

-To assist with funeral director enquiries.

-To give advice on any other issues which may arise.

-Provide information booklets, contact details, as required.

-Monitor and control office supplies.

About us

The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust (TRFT) is a combined acute and community Trust serving our local population of around 270,000 people. Our vision is to always act the right way and be proud to provide exceptional healthcare to the communities of Rotherham.

As a Trust we are on a journey to excellence and our people and culture are at the heart of everything we do for patients. In the latest NHS Staff Survey, we are the second most improved Trust in England for would you recommend the Trust as a place to work?, and were one of the most improved for staff engagement overall.

But dont just take our word for it each year hundreds of colleagues receive nominations for our Excellence and Proud awards, showcasing our brilliant people and recognising their achievements. Our people make a difference to the lives of patients every day and we are proud of the improvements we are making.

All of our 5,100 colleagues are key to our improvement journey, and we are continuing to improve our services by upholding the Trusts values of Ambitious, Caring and Together. If you are passionate about making a difference, then please apply to join us on our journey to excellence.

Date posted

17 January 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,071 to £25,674 a year Pro rata, per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9165-24-09-050

Job locations

The Rotherham Nhs Foundation Trust

Moorgate Road

Rotherham

South Yorkshire

S60 2UD

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached the job description and person specification for the full details about the role and the responsibilities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached the job description and person specification for the full details about the role and the responsibilities.

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Organisational skills in an administrative role
Ability to communicate with sensitivity, empathy and tact when dealing with angry, grieving and bereaved relatives
Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels of the organisation
Ability to communicate effectively with key external links
Knowledge of the Medical Examiner Service
Knowledge of the coronial system
Ability to convert complex sensitive medical information into laymans terms

Desirable

Computer Literate including experience of Microsoft word, excel packages, and databases

Experience

Essential

Experience of working within a bereavement team or in a healthcare setting.
Experience of working directly with members of the public either face to face or by telephone.
Experience working in the NHS in a patient contact role, including previous experience of conflict resolution, resolving issues to a satisfactory conclusion and partnership working.

Desirable

Experience with using feedback to improve service/ project provision

Qualifications

Essential

GCSE English and Maths grade C or equivalent

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Organisational skills in an administrative role
Ability to communicate with sensitivity, empathy and tact when dealing with angry, grieving and bereaved relatives
Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels of the organisation
Ability to communicate effectively with key external links
Knowledge of the Medical Examiner Service
Knowledge of the coronial system
Ability to convert complex sensitive medical information into laymans terms

Desirable

Computer Literate including experience of Microsoft word, excel packages, and databases

Experience

Essential

Experience of working within a bereavement team or in a healthcare setting.
Experience of working directly with members of the public either face to face or by telephone.
Experience working in the NHS in a patient contact role, including previous experience of conflict resolution, resolving issues to a satisfactory conclusion and partnership working.