Bereavement Officer

George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

Job Title: Bereavement Officer

Hours per week: 37.5 hours per week

Perm/Fixed Term: Secondment Post - 6 months only

Salary: £22,816 - £24,336 per annum

Closing Date: 15th December 2024

Interview Date: 23rd December 2024

An exciting new opportunity has arisen for a Bereavement Officer to join the Bereavement Team based at George Eliot NHS Trust. We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with previous experience (where possible) within Bereavement Services, Funeral Directors, or similar role.

We are seeking to appoint a compassionate and motivated individual to join our small but busy team. You will need a confident telephone manner, excellent organisational skills, and a compassionate and empathetic manner for dealing with grieving families at a sensitive time following the death of a patient.

The role involves overseeing the completion of cremation papers and general office duties, including entering patient data on the digital software programme (Eden), therefore clerical and IT experience is essential.

This post may close early due to high numbers of applicationsso you are advised to apply promptly.

All correspondence for this vacancy will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk and SPAM areas.

A great and friendly place to work, so bring your passion, commitment and expertise and enjoy the opportunities to make a difference every day.

#JoinTeamEliot

Main duties of the job

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As a team Member you will act as a main point of contact and offer the support required for Bereaved relatives via telephone and advise on the processes in place and provide reception service for the Bereavement Centre for patients, relatives and hospital staff.
To act as the intermediary between Bereaved Families and Clinicians to resolve the concerns raised and arrange telephone calls or meeting.
Oversee the completion of cremation forms and ensure full completion (as to the Standard required by the Crematorium).
To enter and maintain all deaths onto the Bereavement Centre Database and update accordingly.
To contact G.P surgeries were possible, ensuring they are aware of their patient's death.
Track notes to the Bereavement Centre in accordance with the GEH policy.
To arrange contract funerals, including preparing paperwork and liaising with Relatives, Funeral Directors, Chaplaincy and Mortician.
To liaise with other hospitals when babies and children are taken to other hospitals for specialist post mortem, overseeing the correct completion of the appropriate paperwork needed.
To arrange transport with the hospital contract funeral director for babies to be moved in a respectful sensitive manner.
To arrange Chapel of Rest viewings of adults and babies during office hours in consultation with the mortician. Meet with family members and escort to the Chapel of Rest.

About us

Here at George Eliot our vision to 'excel at patient care' takes centre stage. An ever evolving clinically-led acute service provider we are on a journey to continually provide high quality, safe and responsive services delivered by inspiring, friendly and compassionate staff who share our corporate values which underpin everything we do. Our values are not just words on a piece of paper, they bond us together, reflect our ambition and shape who we are:

Effective Open Communication

excellence and safety in everything we do

Challenge but support

Expect respect and dignity

Local health that inspires confidence

Benefits:On-site nursery, 27 days minimum annual leave plus bank holidays, cycle to work scheme, flexible working, extensive in-house course learning directory, buying and selling of annual leave, subsidised restaurant, tranquillity garden and generous subsidised on-site parking.

Date posted

04 December 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£22,816 to £24,336 a year per annum

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

230-9411227-CSS-BO-A

Job locations

George Eliot Hospital

Bereavement Services, Middlemarch House, College Street

Nuneaton

CV10 7DJ

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a team Member you will act as a main point of contact and offer the support required for Bereaved relatives via telephone and advise on the processes in place.
Maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients.
Have knowledge of appropriate agencies to refer on those needing a higher degree of support and counselling.
To be a main point of contact for Healthcare Professionals, HM Coroners Office, Registry Office and Funeral Directors.
To provide reception service for the Bereavement Centre for patients relatives and hospital staff.
Ensure that the Medical Notes filing system within Bereavement is adhered to.
To act as the intermediary between Bereaved Families and Clinicians to resolve the concerns raised and arrange telephone calls or meeting.
View patients medical records to ensure that the most relevant Doctor makes himself/herself available to complete the necessary paperwork required during the timeframes given.
To check notes and to identify clinical conditions listed within the Centre and speak with Doctor / Medical Examiner on whether the case requires further input by the Coroner.
Induct all new medical staff requested to Bereavement talk though what is required of them and the paperwork needed to be completed, Answer any queries they may have.
Oversee the completion of cremation forms and ensure full completion (as to the Standard required by the Crematorium).
To ensure a list is provided to the Medical Examiner of Doctors and Nurses who have cared for the patient during their Hospital Stay, Provide their numbers and ward they are working on.
Ensure that the Mortality Review Form is completed by the Doctor to indicate whether any further reviews (SJR) are required.
To enter and maintain all deaths onto the Bereavement Centre Database and update accordingly.
To contact G.P surgeries were possible, ensuring they are aware of their patients death. Ensuring the Electronic Discharge Summary (EDS) has been sent to them via system and they have the cause of death logged.
To be responsible for typing of all letters, booking appointments, reports, policies and confidential information required in the daily work of the Centre.
Deal with doctors fees for completion of cremation medical certificate.
Track notes to the Bereavement Centre in accordance with the GEH policy.
To undertake receipt, safekeeping and release of patients property (Clothing, Toiletries, personal affects) according to Trust Policy and Departmental SOPs.
Store and Dispose of unclaimed property in line with the Trust Policy and departmental SOPs.
Where patient has no Next of Kin or appropriate person you will be required to complete a Registration of Death with the local Registration Office and obtain a Death Certificate.
To arrange contract funerals, including preparing paperwork and liaising with Relatives, Funeral Directors, Chaplaincy and Mortician.
Meet with relatives in order for paperwork to be completed when necessary.
To liaise with other hospitals when babies and children are taken to other hospitals for specialist post mortem, overseeing the correct completion of the appropriate paperwork needed.
To arrange transport with the hospital contract funeral director for babies to be moved in a respectful sensitive manner.
To arrange Chapel of Rest viewings of adults and babies during office hours in consultation with the mortician. Meet with family members and escort to the Chapel of Rest.

Return Medical Notes to the appropriate department.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a team Member you will act as a main point of contact and offer the support required for Bereaved relatives via telephone and advise on the processes in place.
Maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients.
Have knowledge of appropriate agencies to refer on those needing a higher degree of support and counselling.
To be a main point of contact for Healthcare Professionals, HM Coroners Office, Registry Office and Funeral Directors.
To provide reception service for the Bereavement Centre for patients relatives and hospital staff.
Ensure that the Medical Notes filing system within Bereavement is adhered to.
To act as the intermediary between Bereaved Families and Clinicians to resolve the concerns raised and arrange telephone calls or meeting.
View patients medical records to ensure that the most relevant Doctor makes himself/herself available to complete the necessary paperwork required during the timeframes given.
To check notes and to identify clinical conditions listed within the Centre and speak with Doctor / Medical Examiner on whether the case requires further input by the Coroner.
Induct all new medical staff requested to Bereavement talk though what is required of them and the paperwork needed to be completed, Answer any queries they may have.
Oversee the completion of cremation forms and ensure full completion (as to the Standard required by the Crematorium).
To ensure a list is provided to the Medical Examiner of Doctors and Nurses who have cared for the patient during their Hospital Stay, Provide their numbers and ward they are working on.
Ensure that the Mortality Review Form is completed by the Doctor to indicate whether any further reviews (SJR) are required.
To enter and maintain all deaths onto the Bereavement Centre Database and update accordingly.
To contact G.P surgeries were possible, ensuring they are aware of their patients death. Ensuring the Electronic Discharge Summary (EDS) has been sent to them via system and they have the cause of death logged.
To be responsible for typing of all letters, booking appointments, reports, policies and confidential information required in the daily work of the Centre.
Deal with doctors fees for completion of cremation medical certificate.
Track notes to the Bereavement Centre in accordance with the GEH policy.
To undertake receipt, safekeeping and release of patients property (Clothing, Toiletries, personal affects) according to Trust Policy and Departmental SOPs.
Store and Dispose of unclaimed property in line with the Trust Policy and departmental SOPs.
Where patient has no Next of Kin or appropriate person you will be required to complete a Registration of Death with the local Registration Office and obtain a Death Certificate.
To arrange contract funerals, including preparing paperwork and liaising with Relatives, Funeral Directors, Chaplaincy and Mortician.
Meet with relatives in order for paperwork to be completed when necessary.
To liaise with other hospitals when babies and children are taken to other hospitals for specialist post mortem, overseeing the correct completion of the appropriate paperwork needed.
To arrange transport with the hospital contract funeral director for babies to be moved in a respectful sensitive manner.
To arrange Chapel of Rest viewings of adults and babies during office hours in consultation with the mortician. Meet with family members and escort to the Chapel of Rest.

Return Medical Notes to the appropriate department.

Person Specification

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

Good communication skills
Friendly and professional telephone manner
Good audio/typing skills
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office

Desirable

Relevant experience of working with bereaved families, preferably within a healthcare environment

Qualification(s) and Professional Training

Essential

Able to demonstrate good basic education
English Language 'O' Level or equivalent
RSA II or equivalent
Minimum of 12 months secretarial experience

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Knowledge of case note tracking policy and procedure
Knowledge of computer systems

Person Specification

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

Good communication skills
Friendly and professional telephone manner
Good audio/typing skills
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office

Desirable

Relevant experience of working with bereaved families, preferably within a healthcare environment

Qualification(s) and Professional Training

Essential

Able to demonstrate good basic education
English Language 'O' Level or equivalent
RSA II or equivalent
Minimum of 12 months secretarial experience

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Knowledge of case note tracking policy and procedure
Knowledge of computer systems

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information