Job Description
The main duties of a Bereavement Administrator will involve delivering an efficient and accurate administration service and providing support to the relatives and care givers of the Trust’s deceased patients during the death certification process.
This is a post for a sensitive and professional person who is able to deal with the needs of relatives and carers following bereavement whilst showing care and sensitivity. They will have a calm and measured approach to supporting sometimes distressed or emotional bereaved relatives. The post holder is expected to support both junior & senior Trust staff, and work as part of a team on a rotational basis between sites. They will be responsible for the delegated tasks of performing the work to the required standards.
The main duties of a bereavement administrator involve delivering an efficient and accurate administration and support service by helping to ensure that all required documents involved with the process of death are completed accurately and in a timely fashion, whilst being able to explain these processes and support the bereaved as required.
Other key responsibilities include the organisation of hospital arranged funerals, for both adults and babies, who have no known next of kin or their families/friends are unable to do this themselves.
The post holder will also be responsible for the safe keeping, processing and release of deceased patient properties to the bereaved.
Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust are looking for a Bereavement Administrator to join the Mortuary and Bereavement Service, working closely with the Trust’s Medical Examiner team, in the heart of central London. Our hospitals could not be in a better location to enjoy the city and are within walking distance of all that London has to offer. GSTT has a reputation for being an employer of choice, with development opportunities, central London accommodation and an ever dynamic working environment and opportunities for professional growth.
Clinical / Care
1. To issue Medical Cause of Death Certificates (MCCD) to bereaved family and or friends in a compassionate and professional manner.
1. To support the bereaved through the processes that are required to be followed once a person has died, in particular the role of the Medical Examiner, ensuring that they understand these procedures and are capable of performing these tasks or ensuring they receive support and or help with the process.
1. To listen to any concerns or complaints raised by the bereaved and ensure that they are escalated in an appropriate manner to the Medical Examiner or Medical Examiner Officer.
1. To maintain all systems and records for the safe custody and release of patient’s property and valuables in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions, Trust and local policies
Technical
1. To review patient records in the case of hospital and community deaths and ascertain the most appropriate clinicians to discuss the case with the Medical Examiner Office.
1. To make contact with wards staff and or primary care clinicians to facilitate timely discussion with the Medical Examiner and completion of necessary paperwork.
1. To assist the Medical Examiner team in ensuring that a Medical Cause of Death Certificate (MCCD) is completed correctly in line with legislation and any new governmental guidance and to assist clinical staff with their completion as required.
1. To provide administrative support to the Medical Examiner, that is commensurate with your training, in the absence of the Medical Examiner Officer. This may include tasks such as checking documents completed by clinicians for accuracy or obtaining supplementary information for the Medical Examiner from clinicians or the next of kin.
1. To ensure that where deaths have been referred to HM Coroner by the Medical Examiner team, any outcomes or updates are actioned accordingly in a timely manner.
1. To ensure that GP death notifications are completed and sent securely to the relevant practice in a timely fashion.
1. To receive patient’s property and ensure that it is accurately identified, registered, and labelled prior to storage.
1. To be responsible for preparing applications for hospital contract funerals where appropriate and meeting with families to obtain the correct documents/complete necessary checks
Management
1. To assist and advise junior staff with routine work
1. Ensure staff adherence to Trust and local policies and report any non-compliance orlicensingbreach to the relevant person.
1. To participate in clinical audits under supervision of the Audit lead.
Communication
1. To maintain professional links with external statutory offices concerned with the administration of death by communicating in an effective and professional manner.
1. To ensure that all patient deaths are recorded in the appropriate hospital record systems and official registers.
1. To ensure that relevant General Practitioners are informed of a patients’ death in a timely fashion.
1. To assist the Medical Examiner team in giving basic lectures and deliver training sessions to relevant groups as required.
1. To communicate with all members of staff including Clinicians and other health professionals, using appropriate terminology and media whilst promoting effective teamwork.
Ethical
1. To ensure that relatives are supported and treated with courtesy and consideration at all times.
1. To ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with Human Tissue Authority Codes of practice, Department of Health Guidelines & good work practices.
1. To assist in maintaining high quality standards within the service.
1. To attend departmental meetings as required.
1. To be responsible for his/hers continuing professional development under the supervision of their line manager.
1. To comply with departmental Training Support policies.
1. To keep up-to-date with current bereavement service practices and guidance from the Department of Health and any other relevant body or organisation.
1. To play an active role in the review of existing policies, processes and procedures and development of new ones to ensure that they are effective current and suitable.
1. To comply with reasonable requests by more senior staff.
Information Technology
1. To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient data and other information.
1. To use information databases according to the authorised protocols.
1. To maintain the integrity and accuracy of written records and databases
Administrative
1. To advise senior staff when stocks are approaching minimum levels.
1. To ensure that patient records are kept up to date.
1. To ensure patient notes are tracked correctly to the relevant department/agency.
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