Within the Bereavement Offices across Royal Free, Barnet and North Middlesex Hospital sites, the post holder will provide dedicated support to all who contact our services regarding a death at our hospitals. The post holder will communicate in all bereavement‑related matters with the bereaved by telephone, virtually or in person. The post requires an individual with excellent communication skills often in challenging situations.
Main duties of the job
- Be the first point of contact at the trust for all matters in relation to deceased patients.
- Display natural compassion, kindness and guidance to the bereaved.
- Be responsible for the dignified processing of patient deaths and support bereaved relatives who request assistance in a variety of circumstances.
- Liaise with wards to ensure deceased patients’ property is available for collection by relatives via the wards.
- Carry out the procedures concerning the return of deceased patient’s valuables and money via cashiers’ offices.
- Liaise with the medical examiner service to ensure accurate coordination of completion of death certificates and/or referral to the Coroner.
- Liaise with medical staff on the provision of certificates on the cause of death, cremation forms and other relevant documentation.
- Accompany and support relatives to the viewing room / mortuary and provide diverse assistance and advice to families and friends of deceased patients in conjunction with the hospital chaplain.
- Carry out investigations in the event of patients dying with no known next of kin with the aim of identifying a suitable person to register the death and take responsibility for the funeral arrangements.
About us
The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6 million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17 million tests.
Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward‑thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next‑level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top.
Royal Free World Class Values
- Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values.
Education & professional Qualifications
- Education to a high A‑Level.
- RSA III or equivalent in keyboard skills.
Experience
- Experience of developing and managing own workload whilst at the same time being able to work co‑operatively as part of a team.
- Demonstrable experience of working in a demanding and unpredictable environment.
- Understanding of hospital procedures and policies relating to death and bereavement.
- Appropriate knowledge of medical terms to be used in checking cremation form on correct filling in of medical certificates of death and to supply advice to junior doctors.
Skills and aptitudes
- Understanding of certification and legal processes relating to funerals.
- Demonstrates understanding of grief and loss and its impact on individuals.
- Knowledge of customs of other faiths and ethnic groups surrounding death.
- Demonstrates a natural ability to demonstrate compassion and kindness.
- Excellent communication skills in person/telephone/virtually/written.
- Excellent interpersonal skills required for the sensitive support of the bereaved.
- Confident & assertive whilst able to demonstrate empathy and tact.
Personal Qualities & attributes
- Extensive experience of working with distressed and possibly hostile clients.
- Seeks out and takes opportunities for improving the service.
- Willing and able to take personal responsibility.
- Flexible approach to work; adaptable and open to change.
- Open and honest; willing/able to reflect and learn.
Others
- Always puts patients and families first.
- Flexible in their attitudes and behaviours to support team working and delivery of objectives.
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.
£34,186 to £37,389 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS (pro rata).
#J-18808-Ljbffr…