About this role
Job summary
We are seeking a Bereavement Officer to join our team at LGT. In this role you will be working in a complex and demanding environment of the hospital that offers support to bereaved families.
Your responsibilities will include supporting enquiries from the bereaved Next Of Kin, medical staff and various administrative staff within and outside of the Trust. You will be providing support and guidance to people who are going through one of the hardest and most stressful times of their lives.
The post holder will assist the Bereavement Supervisor in providing a sensitive yet planned systematic approach to the procedures and the formalities that must be completed following the death of a patient.
The post holder will assist in the day-to-day running of the service, working collaboratively with the Medical Examiner Officers (MEOs).
Main duties of the job
Assist in the day-to-day running of the office and provide guidance to those using the service.
Liaise with medical staff regarding the completion of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), in accordance with agreed procedures.
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.
Assist in the facilitation of documentation for Public Health Funerals, with the local councils, where there is no next of kin.
Under the direction of the bereavement lead, support service development projects and assist with providing education to Trust staff about the bereavement service, in accordance with established procedures.
To work collaboratively with other Trust departments including Safeguarding, Infection control and the Mortality Review committee to ensure timely access to required information is provided
Maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of the deceased and the bereaved to ensure equality to any group defined by sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development Widening access (anchor institution) and employability Improving the experience of staff with disability Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development Making equalities mainstream
Job description Job responsibilities
Process paperwork for donation of organs where the deceased is known to have expressed a wish for the same. Inform school of anatomy bequests of bodies.
Refers cases when a patient has died without next of kin to the local council.
To maintain accurate records of department activity daily.
To work collaboratively with all departments and other external agencies to ensure arrangements for those with faith requirements take place in a timely way.
Maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of the deceased and the bereaved to ensure equality to any group defined by sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Educated to NVQ level 2 plus additional experience equating to NVQ 3 Good level of computer literacy.
Desirable
Knowledge of databases and spreadsheets
Experience Essential
Previous experience in an admin role Experience of working with patients, families and staff, forming good relationships. Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations. Extensive experience of working within a busy office environment.
Knowledge Essential
Ability to communicate effectively with a range of internal/external stakeholders Understanding of bereavement Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity of issues around formalities following a death.
Desirable
General knowledge of clinical/medical terminology
Personal Qualities Essential
Reliable and adaptable to change; quick to learn; able to work on own initiative and as part of a team Able to work to tight deadlines and within available resources Able to work outside normal working hours on occasion, if necessary, to meet the needs of the department. Able to apply tact and sensitivity to establish trust and confidence. Able to work on any hospital site
Desirable
Excellent attention to detail and good organisational skills
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.
Employer details Employer name Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Address Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Stadium Road
Woolwich
SE18 4QH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)