Job summary
The care and support that people receive at the time of their bereavement can affect the whole bereavement process. The Trust has put in place systems, policies and practices to ensure they provide the best possible bereavement service for those whose loved ones have died in hospital.
Our Bereavement Support Officers are integral to the delivery of an efficient and effective administration service within the department. They are responsible for co-ordinating all of the paperwork that needs to be completed after death, such as the medical certificate of cause of death and any necessary cremation forms. They will talk with medical and nursing staff, funeral directors, the coroner's office and the register office and various other outside agencies.
Main duties of the job
Undertake administration functions for the department, such as data input, photocopying, filing, letter writing, etc.
Undertake accurate recording / inputting and amending of data within Trust information systems.
Act as first point of contact for both internal and external stakeholders regarding deceased patients.
Exercise judgement and initiative in line with departmental guidelines to make informed decisions relating to the appropriate processes, procedures required for the care of deceased patients, escalating any concerns or issues to the appropriate senior colleague as required.
Communicate with distressed or potentially aggressive relatives and family members in a professional, courteous, and sensitive manner, using tact, empathy and diplomacy, seeking to overcome any barriers to understanding where relevant to achieve a satisfactory outcome.
Work collaboratively with colleagues from other departments and services, both internally and externally to the Trust
Liaise with relevant internal and external stakeholders to ensure all relevant documentation relating to the deceased patient and the cause of death is accurately recorded and completed in line with the departmental, trust and national guidelines.
About us
You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.
When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.
When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE at Grade C/4 in English and Maths (or equivalent qualifications) or equivalent experience
Desirable
- NVQ Level II in Business Administration / Customer Service / IT
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within an office environment
- Experience of working in a public facing role.
Desirable
- Relevant experience within the NHS
Further Training
Essential
- Knowledge of / experience of using information and/or customer service systems.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages including Outlook, Excel and Word.
Desirable
- Previous experience of PAS / Lorenzo / Connect
- Previous experience Infoflex / 59R Software
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of data protection issues and the ability to maintain confidentiality
- Excellent communication skills, with ability to deal with staff at all levels.
- Displays use of initiative with effective organisational skill
- Ability to prioritise and work to strict/conflicting deadlines
- On-going commitment to personal development
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE at Grade C/4 in English and Maths (or equivalent qualifications) or equivalent experience
Desirable
- NVQ Level II in Business Administration / Customer Service / IT
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within an office environment
- Experience of working in a public facing role.
Desirable
- Relevant experience within the NHS
Further Training
Essential
- Knowledge of / experience of using information and/or customer service systems.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages including Outlook, Excel and Word.
Desirable
- Previous experience of PAS / Lorenzo / Connect
- Previous experience Infoflex / 59R Software
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of data protection issues and the ability to maintain confidentiality
- Excellent communication skills, with ability to deal with staff at all levels.
- Displays use of initiative with effective organisational skill
- Ability to prioritise and work to strict/conflicting deadlines
- On-going commitment to personal development
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).
