Bereavement Officer

VerseOne Group; Basildon; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Basildon Hospital is seeking a Bereavement Office Assistant to support day-to-day operations, assist families, and coordinate with clinical and mortuary teams. The role involves administrative duties, maintaining the Eden database, and ensuring timely notification of deaths.

Applicants should have experience with bereaved families, emotional resilience, and the ability to work in a highly emotional environment. Weekend and bank holiday coverage is required as part of a 7-day service.

Qualifications

• Experience working with bereaved families.
• Understanding the emotional impact of loss on families.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the day-to-day running of the bereavement office and provide guidance to users.
• Undertake administrative duties under direction of the Lead Bereavement Officer.
• Liaise with medical staff on completion of cause of death certificates and cremation papers.
• Maintain accurate records for deceased patients in the Eden database.
• Coordinate with ward staff on patient property and medical case notes.
• Notify relevant health care agencies of patient deaths promptly.
• Ensure wards have information and resources for the newly bereaved.
• Arrange viewings with mortuary staff for families in extenuating circumstances.
• Prepare documentation for Public Health Funerals with local councils when needed.
• Raise procurement orders for stationery and study days.
• Participate in 7-day working (including Bank Holidays).
• Demonstrate resilience and communication skills in a highly emotional environment.

Skills

Bereavement experience

Emotional resilience

Job description

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.

• 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)

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.

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers. We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.