Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Pathology Department at Cwm Taf Morgannwg for full time Bereavement Officer to provide compassionate care to bereaved families and support death certification processes.
The post holder will provide a professional, proactive and flexible service to relatives of patients who have died on the wards within the hospital. They will ensure that the service is sensitive and empathetic to the difficulties families may face during this time.
The post holder will manage the death certification process whilst ensuring that Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB)'s statutory obligations are fulfilled.
The post holder will work closely with other key professionals to develop a seamless service and to ensure bereaved families are aware of the support available from outside agencies.
Main duties of the job
Liaise with the hospital mortuary on a daily basis to ascertain the details of patients who have become deceased during the previous 24 hours.
The post holder will either be contacted by the next of kin or make contact with the next of kin, to establish the deceased funeral requests.
Provide support and guidance to the next of kin regarding the death registration process, requiring compassion and a calm, empathic manner.
Ensure the deceased medical notes are received by the Medical Examiners Service in a timely manner.
Liaise with doctors and the Medical Examiners service to ensure death certification is accurately completed as quickly as possible.
Assist colleagues where a coroner's referral is required.
Where there is no next of kin, the post holder will represent CTMUHB in the registration and arrangement of the deceased funeral, and will liaise with the hospital contracted Funeral Director.
Be responsible for keeping accurate database records of deceased patients.
Be required to complete audits to evidence the timely production of death certification.
Welsh Skills Desirable: This post is advertised as Welsh Desirable at Level 3 Speaking/Listening (or 'B1' Level if you've learnt Welsh as an adult). This doesn't mean you have to be fluent or able to write long reports in Welsh; it just means being able to hold simple conversations with patients. Have a look at the 'Croeso Candidate!' guide attached below for more information.
About us
Cwm Taf Morgannwg (CTM) University Health Board, part of NHS Wales, serves a large population across a diverse and beautiful region, steeped in history and heritage. With nearly 13,500 staff, our health board is one of Wales's largest employers.
Together, we are Team CTM; a workforce dedicated to offering excellent patient care and support to the 450,000 people across our three regions, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, and Rhondda Cynon Taf. We operate three District General hospitals, several community hospitals, primary and community care facilities.
CTM's location offers the best of South Wales, just 20 minutes from Cardiff's vibrant city life, the natural beauty of the Brecon Beacons, and the serene coastline at Ogmore. Whether you enjoy lively urban amenities, peaceful countryside, or seaside escapes, our location makes an ideal setting for both work and personal life.
Our CTM 2030 Strategy--Our Health, Our Future--focuses on uniting our region around shared health and wellbeing goals. Our values guide us daily:
o We listen, learn, and improve
o We treat everyone with respect
o We work together as one team
CTM employees enjoy benefits including; a leading pension, generous leave, flexible work, career growth, and access to ongoing learning and development.
At CTM, you'll find a welcoming, team-oriented workplace that values diversity and compassion, where you can take pride in your work and the difference it makes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of health and wellbeing issues and services, acquired through training and experience to Vocational Level 3 or equivalent skills, knowledge and experience, plus knowledge and experience to undergraduate Diploma level equivalency. Knowledge of a range of non-routine practices and procedures relevant to the bereavement service. All Wales bereavement counselling training. Knowledge of all relevant Pathology/ Mortuary procedures. Knowledge of medical terminology and the hospital post-mortem process
Desirable
- Knowledge of Human Tissue Act legislation. Human Tissue Act Compliance training. Knowledge of the requirements of the Human Tissue Authority and Mortuary Licensing requirements. Trained in use of WPAS (Myrddin).
Experience
Essential
- Customer care experience. Experience in dealing with bereaved families. Experience of working in a busy hospital/healthcare environment.
Desirable
- Experience with Human Tissue Act compliance.
Skills
Essential
- Familiar in the use of Microsoft Office Software e.g. Word, Excel. Required to communicate at a high level - written, electronic and verbal communication. Able to demonstrate an appropriate level of empathy and understanding towards those families who are bereaved. Remain calm and empathic. Able to carry out the duties in a professional manner. Able to use databases and create reports
Desirable
- Welsh Language Skills (Level 3 and above/B1) are Desirable for this Role.
Other
Essential
- Must be able to work on their own initiative and as part of a team. Ability to act in a sympathetic manner whilst dealing with bereaved relatives. Able to travel in a timely manner to carry out the role on different UHB sites.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of health and wellbeing issues and services, acquired through training and experience to Vocational Level 3 or equivalent skills, knowledge and experience, plus knowledge and experience to undergraduate Diploma level equivalency. Knowledge of a range of non-routine practices and procedures relevant to the bereavement service. All Wales bereavement counselling training. Knowledge of all relevant Pathology/ Mortuary procedures. Knowledge of medical terminology and the hospital post-mortem process
Desirable
- Knowledge of Human Tissue Act legislation. Human Tissue Act Compliance training. Knowledge of the requirements of the Human Tissue Authority and Mortuary Licensing requirements. Trained in use of WPAS (Myrddin).
Experience
Essential
- Customer care experience. Experience in dealing with bereaved families. Experience of working in a busy hospital/healthcare environment.
Desirable
- Experience with Human Tissue Act compliance.
Skills
Essential
- Familiar in the use of Microsoft Office Software e.g. Word, Excel. Required to communicate at a high level - written, electronic and verbal communication. Able to demonstrate an appropriate level of empathy and understanding towards those families who are bereaved. Remain calm and empathic. Able to carry out the duties in a professional manner. Able to use databases and create reports
Desirable
- Welsh Language Skills (Level 3 and above/B1) are Desirable for this Role.
Other
Essential
- Must be able to work on their own initiative and as part of a team. Ability to act in a sympathetic manner whilst dealing with bereaved relatives. Able to travel in a timely manner to carry out the role on different UHB sites.
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.
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
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.
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).
