Bereavement Officer

King's College Hospital; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare trust in the UK is seeking a part-time Bereavement Officer for the Mortuary & Bereavement department. The role offers flexible weekdays only, involving the management of the Bereavement office, providing sensitive support to bereaved families, and collaborating with healthcare teams. Applicants should have experience in a healthcare or bereavement setting, strong communication, and organisational skills, ensuring high-quality service under pressure.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a bereavement, mortuary, or related healthcare setting is desirable.
• Strong communication, customer service, and organisational skills are essential.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a busy environment is required.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Bereavement office ensuring a high-quality service.
• Provide support to bereaved families and ensure compliance with statutory obligations.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals and other key stakeholders.

Skills

Strong communication

Customer service

Organisational skills

Ability to work under pressure

Tools

Computer literate

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a part‑time Bereavement Officer to work in the Mortuary & Bereavement department at King’s College Hospital Denmark Hill site.

Shift patterns are flexible but the post is weekdays only within office opening times. The successful candidate may spread work across the week or work limited days.

Responsibilities

• Take part in the running of the Bereavement office ensuring high quality, responsive service and meeting regulatory and accreditation requirements (e.g., HTA).
• Provide a professional, proactive and sensitive service to bereaved relatives while ensuring the Trust’s statutory obligations are fulfilled.
• Continuously review practice and develop policies incorporating national guidance and Human Tissue Authority legislation.
• Work closely with other key professionals within and outside the Trust to meet individual needs and promote awareness of bereavement issues in a multi‑faith, multi‑cultural environment.
• Collaborate with the Medical Examiner’s Office and Medical Examiners Officers to provide coordinated service and participate in the Bereavement Hub.
• Act independently and as part of a team, liaising with relatives and healthcare professionals by phone and in person.
• Attend daily meetings with the bereavement supervisor to discuss daily deaths.
• Provide high quality support, documentation and guidance to the bereaved, dealing sensitively with difficult situations.
• Assist with arranging appointments with the Registrar of Births and Deaths and facilitate visits with family members.
• Assist senior staff with teaching sessions, induction courses for Trust staff on bereavement and mortuary services.
• Assist with production and review of operational policies, SOPs, and other written material for the department.
• Exercise initiative in managing the office in the absence of other bereavement team members, responding to enquiries and signposting.
• Under supervision, participate in registration of deaths and arrange funerals as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in bereavement, mortuary, or related healthcare setting is desirable.
• Strong communication, customer service and organisational skills.
• Computer literate and able to work under pressure in a busy environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.