HealthJobsUK

To be point of access to bereavement services maintaining an in-person, telephone patient help line and email support for the bereavement office. 

Offering compassionate support and information to relatives particularly in relation to registration of deaths, funeral arrangements, post mortems and organ donation both over the telephone and in person when they arrive to collect the paperwork. 

Contacting wards to access records 

Notifying GPs of the death of a patient 

Arranging for the medical staff to speak to relatives if any concerns or questions about the death are raised to ensure these are resolved quickly and with a satisfactory outcome.  

Witnessing the consenting procedure to a hospital post mortem examination with the designated consultant.  

Providing full support to the Patient Services Supervisor and assumes day to day responsibility during annual leave and sickness 

Managing the process of completion of the certificate of death through liaison with doctors of all grades, pathologists, Coroner's officers and risk manager, where appropriate.  

Liaising with the hospital chaplain and the contract funeral directors to arrange a funeral where there is no next of kin.  

Being aware of the requirements of the Human Tissue Act in relation to hospital post mortems and the associated consent process 

Being responsible for the safekeeping of deceased patients' property including valuables and money ensuring associated documentation is properly completed and the property is in a condition acceptable to be handed over to the relatives.  

Store cheques received for doctors 

Maintaining compliance with the legal requirements in relation to the issue of cause of death certificates, the registration of deaths and the requirements for referral to the coroner's office. 

Advising doctors on forms ensuring they are completed in a timely way, correctly and the necessary processes are followed.  

Recording all deaths and relevant information on the PANDA database  

Documenting all lost property either when it comes to the office or when it is reported lost  

Ensuring sufficiency of HTA consent taking training 

Completing Free from Infection forms to be used with bodies being repatriated to another country.  

Overseeing body donations calls and relevant paperwork sent to bereavement from donor recipient organisation, also for School of Anatomy  

For contract funerals, locating any NOK, registering death at local Registrar office and buying a death certificate. Obtaining by any means bank details/ cards/statements, all utility bills, any valuable items, gain access to property with HA or council appointee or second member of bereavement team. Notification to landlords or Housing Assoc of rental properties now being empty and Section 21 to be served by them. 

Managing deceased patients' property - Ensure collection, re contact family after 2 weeks if not collected and dispose if requested. 

Supporting relatives if they are distressed when they arrive and escorts relatives to the mortuary to view the deceased when a request to view is made.  

Witnessing wills and/or power of attorney when requested and when a doctor has confirmed that the patient is of sound mind, having assessed that the patient knows what they are signing.