Bereavement Officer

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Bereavement team at Basildon Hospital.

You will work with all grades of staff to assist in the smooth running of the bereavement office in accordance with national and hospital guidelines for the care of the bereaved.

You will assist in the day to day running of the service alongside the Lead Bereavement Officer and will ensure processes are adhered to and organisational guidance with regard to bereavement are met in a timely manner.

You would be expected to have previous experience of working with bereaved families and and understanding of the emotional impact loss can have on the family.

If you possess resilience and an ability to work in a highly emotional and unpredictable environment where procedures and practices are non-routine and can demonstrate excellent communication skills, then we would like to hear from you.

The organisation is currently working in collaboration with NHSBT to implement a Corneal Donation Service, working across 7 days. This will ensure patient choices and decisions at the end of life are facilitated.

We are looking for a person with previous experience working in bereavement or similar discipline and is receptive to weekend working. You must possess emotional resilience, be receptive to change and with the drive and commitment to assist in the delivery of an excellent MSE bereavement service.

Main duties of the job

• Assist in the day-to-day running of the office and provide guidance to those using the service.
• Undertake all administrative duties associated with the service, under direction of the Lead Bereavement Officer.
• Liaise with medical staff with regard to the completion of cause of death certificates and cremation papers.
• Maintain accurate and concise record of the deceased patient, using the team’s electronic database - Eden.
• Liaise with ward staff and teams in the event of any issues arising regarding patient property and medical case notes.
• 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.
• Liaise with mortuary staff to arrange viewings for deceased patients families (in extenuating circumstances)
• Assist in the facilitation of documentation for Public Health Funerals, with the local councils, where families are unable to pay for funerals/where there is no next of kin.
• Raise procurement orders for the team in relation to stationery and study days etc.
• Participate in 7 day working (including all Bank Holidays)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Are you looking for a new role and new challenge, within a forward thinking and innovative service; if so, we would like to hear from you.

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

We look forward to your application.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.