Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1.    To work as part of a team to provide specialist advice on the bereavement systems daily, to ensure that processes are followed in a timely manner. 
2.    The post holder will be responsible for notifying and advising all levels of medical staff to ensure prompt and accurate completion of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and/or the reporting of a patient’s death.
3.    To act as a point of contact for bereaved relatives, issuing documentation, personal effects and information in a clear, calm and compassionate manner, ensuring that relatives understand the process for the registration of the death. 
4.    Coordinate the process and correct documentation for non-viable foetuses, neonates and stillbirths, including close liaison with the Bereavement Midwife, families and external agencies, in accordance with Trust Procedure. 
5.    To provide information and advice to the bereaved daily and respond to particular questions and concerns. 

Communication 
1.    Telephone and office enquiries relating to bereavement administration and lost property. 
2.    To liaise with the Registrar and Coroner’s Office, ensuring that all communications are effective, efficient and timely. 
3.    To communicate with funeral directors regarding the arrangement of hospital funerals for adults and neonates, ensuring all paperwork is accurately completed. 
4.    On a daily basis communicate complex and sensitive information to the bereaved relating to the bereavement process, using judgement and discretion in an appropriate and professional manner.
5.    Ensure privacy and confidentiality in relation to patient information. 
6.    Ensure General Practitioners are informed of relevant patients’ deaths. 
7.    Attend any meetings as requested and contribute to changes in practice with ideas and solutions to problems. 
8.    Ability to propose changes to work practices within the department in contribution to problem solving and process change.
9.    On a daily basis make and receive sensitive telephone calls in a courteous and professional manner. 

Organisations 
1.    Close daily liaison with the mortuary staff  and medical examiners service with regard to the bereavement processes. 
2.    The issue of funeral director’s authority forms (release of the deceased to the funeral director) to the bereaved as necessary. 
3.    The support of medical staff in all aspects of the bereavement processes, including completion of Medical Certificates of Cause of Death and reporting of deaths to the Coroner’s office. 
4.    The organisation of Hospital funerals for babies, as required and the disposal of ashes in liaison with the Bereavement Midwife. 
5.    The organisation of adult hospital funerals, as required, including liaison with Funeral Directors and Warrington Crematorium office and Hospital Chaplain if necessary. 
6.    Contribute to the development and implementation of Bereavement Office standard operating procedures and policies as required. 
7.    Scrutiny of clinical notes to identify the correct medical specialties, in order that the appropriate medical team is contacted. 

Knowledge, Training and Experience 
1.    Required to work under own initiative and as part of a small team. 
2.    Specialist knowledge of all bereavement processes within the Trust, using judgement and problem-solving skills. 
3.    To ensure that the correct administrative process is followed in respect of the arrangements for Hospital Post mortems as required, in accordance with the Human Tissue Act 2004. 
4.    To act as an expert resource for medical/nursing staff with regard to the bereavement processes. 
5.    To keep up to date with Home Office Legislation (Registrar General and Coroner’s Office) in relation to the bereavement process. 
6.    To show awareness and understanding of religious and cultural beliefs following a death.
7.    To work alongside and to provide advice to new starters or less experienced employees, to undertake workplace training. 

Information Resources 
1.    Manage documentation for non-viable foetuses, neonates and stillbirths, in close liaison with the Bereavement Midwife, in accordance with Trust Procedure. 
2.    Maintain accurate records of the bereavement process on a daily basis. 
3.    Use of NHS Mail and the Trust’s systems. 
4.    Ensure confidentiality and security of case notes if and when used within the office. 
5.    Report incidents to the Bereavement Office Manager for reporting on Datix system as required. 
6.    Provide general information to the bereaved, i.e., contact details/booklets. 
7.    Ensure accurate documentation is maintained in relation to all aspects of the bereavement process. 

Financial 
1.    Manage deceased patients’ property, valuables and lost property in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions. 
2.    Liaise with Clinical Coders for the collection of any case notes in the Bereavement Office, as they may be required for prompt coding to ensure that the Trust is paid accordingly.
 
Mental/Emotional Effort 
1.    Ability to explain sensitively to families and loved ones if problems have occurred with regard to the bereavement process, which can be emotionally challenging and sometimes confrontational. 
2.    Liaison with the mortuary staff and occasionally accompany the bereaved to the Mortuary chapel of rest, to enable viewing of the deceased.
3.    High level of concentration required on a daily basis, owing to complexities of different situations which occur at the same time. 
4.    Constant interruptions, i.e., telephone calls, reception enquiries, etc., on a daily basis. 

Decision Making
1.    Work with minimum supervision, manage own workload whilst working as a Team and use own initiative according to service needs. 
2.    There is a requirement to use own initiative regarding contacting all levels of medical staff to organise the timely completion of the necessary paperwork required when a death occurs. 
3.    Identify and act upon potential problems relating to the bereavement process in liaison with the Bereavement Office Manager.

This job description outlines the current main responsibilities of the post. However, the duties of the post may change and develop over time and this job description may, therefore, be amended in consultation with the post holder.