Job summary
If you find end of life and bereavement care a fulfilling career choice and you have compassion and excellent intuitive skills, this could be a role for you. We are seeking a flexible and enthusiastic person to join our small, professional team in developing our bereavement service to be key in supporting patients, families and staff in dealing with grief.
The Bereavement Service is a resource for colleagues and relatives of deceased patients in the care of NCIC.
The post holder will act as a key point of contact for the bereaved and other service users contacting the service.
This requires insight and perceptiveness of the situation as you may be dealing with people in variable states of emotional reaction.
Main duties of the job
The Bereavement Service is a resource for colleagues and relatives of deceased patients in the care of NCIC.The postholder will act as a key point of contact for the bereaved and other service users. This requires insight and perceptiveness as they may be dealing with people in variable states of emotional reaction.
The postholder will assess need of service users, providing guidance, advice and support, signposting to appropriate services, or escalating to senior colleagues as necessary.
The postholder will use advanced communication skills to engage with a breadth of nursing, medical and support staff, around all aspects of best practice in end of life and bereavement care.
The postholder will support the Medical Examiner service, liaising between the service and clinical staff to facilitate timely completion of medical certificates of cause of death, and doctors' statements.
The post holder will be expected to work across NCIC acute and community sites depending on service need, and may be required to travel to other settings as required.
The post holder will participate in delivery of the end of life learning and development offer, supporting clinical educator colleagues as required.
Aspects of the this role will undergo change and development, which may include new technology, methods or working and procedures. The postholder will be expected, following appropriate consultation and training, to embrace any such changes in working practice.
About us
At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.
Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time':
- Being a clinically led organisation
- Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust
- A positive patient experience every time
- A great place to work
- Managing our money well
As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.
Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.
Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed.
If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.
Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies.
Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.
If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.
Important Information
Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.
For candidates applying using a Hotmail account or have strict firewall settings please ensure the following:
- Junk Mail is checked regularly
Disclosure and Barring Service:
On 28 November 2020, the new Disclosure and Barring Service filtering rules will come into effect.
The changes mean that:
- youth cautions, reprimands and final warnings will no longer be subject to automatic disclosure
- the multiple conviction rule has been removed, meaning that if an individual has more than one conviction, regardless of offence type or time passed, each conviction will be considered against the remaining rules individually, rather than being automatically disclosed.
If you are unsure about whether you need to disclose certain criminal record information, free confidential advice may be sought from one of the charity bodies listed below. These bodies can advise you on what you are legally required to declare and may also be able to advise you on how you can disclose criminal record information to a prospective employer and your legal rights when doing so.
Nacro Tel: 0300 123 1999, or email: helpline@nacro.org.uk
Unlock Tel: 01634 247350, email advice@unlock.org.uk or complete the online form on the Unlock website
Please note the cost of the DBS check is increasing from 2nd December and the new cost will be
Standard DBS check £21.50, Enhanced DBS check £49.50 + any admin costs.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding adults and children therefore if the post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended) the successful candidate(s) will be subject to a criminal records check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:
Standard Check: £18 + Administration cost of £3.85 = £21.85. Deducted at £6.85 from 1st month salary and £5 deducted from salary over following 3 months.
Enhanced Check: £38 + administration cost of £3.90 = £41.90. Deducted at £11.90 from 1st month salary and £10 deducted from salary over following 3 months.
As part of the one of the largest employers in the UK NCIC future employees will have also access to the following benefits.
A lease car may be available for this position; further details will be provided upon appointment if applicable.
27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
Flexible working Scheme
Excellent opportunities for development
Competitive NHS Pension scheme
Access to NHS discounts with retailers and leisure companies
EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems
These schemes are subject to availability
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.
Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed.
If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.
Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies.
Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.
If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.
Important Information
Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.
For candidates applying using a Hotmail account or have strict firewall settings please ensure the following:
- Junk Mail is checked regularly
Disclosure and Barring Service:
On 28 November 2020, the new Disclosure and Barring Service filtering rules will come into effect.
The changes mean that:
- youth cautions, reprimands and final warnings will no longer be subject to automatic disclosure
- the multiple conviction rule has been removed, meaning that if an individual has more than one conviction, regardless of offence type or time passed, each conviction will be considered against the remaining rules individually, rather than being automatically disclosed.
If you are unsure about whether you need to disclose certain criminal record information, free confidential advice may be sought from one of the charity bodies listed below. These bodies can advise you on what you are legally required to declare and may also be able to advise you on how you can disclose criminal record information to a prospective employer and your legal rights when doing so.
Nacro Tel: 0300 123 1999, or email: helpline@nacro.org.uk
Unlock Tel: 01634 247350, email advice@unlock.org.uk or complete the online form on the Unlock website
Please note the cost of the DBS check is increasing from 2nd December and the new cost will be
Standard DBS check £21.50, Enhanced DBS check £49.50 + any admin costs.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding adults and children therefore if the post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended) the successful candidate(s) will be subject to a criminal records check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:
Standard Check: £18 + Administration cost of £3.85 = £21.85. Deducted at £6.85 from 1st month salary and £5 deducted from salary over following 3 months.
Enhanced Check: £38 + administration cost of £3.90 = £41.90. Deducted at £11.90 from 1st month salary and £10 deducted from salary over following 3 months.
As part of the one of the largest employers in the UK NCIC future employees will have also access to the following benefits.
A lease car may be available for this position; further details will be provided upon appointment if applicable.
27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
Flexible working Scheme
Excellent opportunities for development
Competitive NHS Pension scheme
Access to NHS discounts with retailers and leisure companies
EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems
These schemes are subject to availability
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE English and Maths or equivalent.
- Educated to NVQ level 4 /BTEC or equivalent experience.
Desirable
- Undergraduate Diploma or equivalent appropriate qualification and experience e.g. Foundation Degree, HNC or vocational qualification level three or equivalent
- Qualification, certificate or equivalent, related to end of life or bereavement care.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience working with bereaved families.
- Work in customer focused / caring environment.
- Insight into end of life and bereavement issues, e.g. normal grief patterns, roles of funeral directors, Coroner's Office, Registration Service
- Understanding of the Medical Examiner process and how this works in practice.
- Knowledge and understanding of confidentiality and safeguarding guidance within healthcare.
Desirable
- Knowledge of NHS procedures and systems, particularly those relevant to end of life care.
- Experience of dealing with people who are distressed.
- Understanding of relevant legislation, e.g. Coroner's Act, Access Health Records Act, Human Rights Act, Health & Safety at Work Act.
- Knowledge of best practice guidance in end of life care, for example One Chance to Get it Right, Deciding Right, NICE Guidelines.
- Ability to practice reflectively, recognising the need for self compassion and self care.
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
- Ability to work flexibly, both alone and within a team, to meet variable demands of the role.
- Organised, methodical and good attention to detail.
- Able to collate, analyse and present information.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to manage conflict in a calm, professional manner.
- IT and administrative skills including use of Excel spreadsheets.
- Excellent listening and empathy skills.
- Ability to treat people with dignity and respect.
- Ability to organise and prioritise work and meet deadlines, remaining calm under pressure.
- Ability to use initiative appropriately.
- Willingness to engage in peer supervision.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Alignment to Trust Values and Core Behaviours
- Promote equality and value diversity.
- Ability and willingness to travel to NCIC sites and other community sites as required.
- Able to handle patients medical notes files, along with bags of patient property in a safe manner in accordance with Trust Moving & Handling policy
Desirable
- Understanding of NHS Trust Business
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE English and Maths or equivalent.
- Educated to NVQ level 4 /BTEC or equivalent experience.
Desirable
- Undergraduate Diploma or equivalent appropriate qualification and experience e.g. Foundation Degree, HNC or vocational qualification level three or equivalent
- Qualification, certificate or equivalent, related to end of life or bereavement care.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience working with bereaved families.
- Work in customer focused / caring environment.
- Insight into end of life and bereavement issues, e.g. normal grief patterns, roles of funeral directors, Coroner's Office, Registration Service
- Understanding of the Medical Examiner process and how this works in practice.
- Knowledge and understanding of confidentiality and safeguarding guidance within healthcare.
Desirable
- Knowledge of NHS procedures and systems, particularly those relevant to end of life care.
- Experience of dealing with people who are distressed.
- Understanding of relevant legislation, e.g. Coroner's Act, Access Health Records Act, Human Rights Act, Health & Safety at Work Act.
- Knowledge of best practice guidance in end of life care, for example One Chance to Get it Right, Deciding Right, NICE Guidelines.
- Ability to practice reflectively, recognising the need for self compassion and self care.
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
- Ability to work flexibly, both alone and within a team, to meet variable demands of the role.
- Organised, methodical and good attention to detail.
- Able to collate, analyse and present information.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to manage conflict in a calm, professional manner.
- IT and administrative skills including use of Excel spreadsheets.
- Excellent listening and empathy skills.
- Ability to treat people with dignity and respect.
- Ability to organise and prioritise work and meet deadlines, remaining calm under pressure.
- Ability to use initiative appropriately.
- Willingness to engage in peer supervision.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Alignment to Trust Values and Core Behaviours
- Promote equality and value diversity.
- Ability and willingness to travel to NCIC sites and other community sites as required.
- Able to handle patients medical notes files, along with bags of patient property in a safe manner in accordance with Trust Moving & Handling policy
Desirable
- Understanding of NHS Trust Business
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).
