Bereavement Officer

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).

• 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.

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

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Cherie Clare Job title: Head of Bereavement Email address: cherie.clare@nhs.net Telephone number: 07799 892 116