We are looking for a replacement Bereavement Officer to work in the Mortuary and Bereavement department at King’s College Hospital Denmark Hill site.

The post holder will take part in the running of the Bereavement office ensuring high quality and responsive serve, meeting both regulatory and accreditation requirements specifically HTA and UKAS.

The role of Bereavement Officer is interesting and varied. You must be keen to learn as you will play a vital role in developing and improving the service we provide to colleagues and to the bereaved. Working within a supportive team, this is a challenging, but rewarding post.

To provide a professional, proactive and sensitive service to bereaved relatives, whilst ensuring the Trust’s statutory obligations are fulfilled. To take part in continuously review practice and develop policies which incorporate national guidance and Human Tissue Authority Legislation. To work closely with other key professionals both within and outside the Trust in order to meet individual needs. To promote an awareness of bereavement issue within a multi faith, multi-cultural environment.

The post holder will work in parallel with the Medical Examiner’s Office and work alongside the Medical Examiners Officers and Medical Examiner to provide a service. To take part in the work of the Bereavement Hub.

You must be able to work independently and as part of a team. You will work closely with relatives of deceased patients, a wide range of healthcare professionals and external stakeholders.

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and around 14,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King’s College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in Bromley.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

The trust-wide strategy Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we can take Team King’s to another level

Working in a busy unpredictable environment, you will require excellent customer service, communication and organisational skills and be computer literate.

Key Responsibilities

L iaising with both internal and external users of the service, by phone and in person.

To take part in daily meetings with the bereavement supervisor to discuss daily deaths.

Provide a high quality service to the bereaved ensuring that all advice and documentation is given in a clear and caring manner.

To provide the bereaved with the appropriate documentation and offer support and guidance. Information given may be of a highly sensitive nature.

To assist the bereaved by answering any questions they may raise, arranging for them to speak or contact the most appropriate person or agency. To deal with bereaved persons who may have difficult family situations or circumstances.

To assist with the arrangement of appointments with the Registrar of Births and Deaths on behalf of the bereaved.

To take part in arranging and facilitating visits with family members.

Education, training and development

Assist senior staff with teaching sessions; participate in induction courses for trust staff providing information on bereavement and mortuary services

A ssist senior staff in the production of operational policies, guidance booklets, and other written material for the department. To assist with writing and reviewing of SOPs to ensure that all procedures undertaken, within the department, are covered and updated. To assist in the implementation of administrative and secretarial policies as required.

People Management and Performance

Exercise considerable degree of initiative when managing the office in the absence of other members of the bereavement team, responding to enquiries, signposting or taking messages as appropriate

Under the guidance of the bereavement office supervisor, Assistant Service Manager or Service Manager, to participate in the registration of deaths and arranging funerals, as appropriate.

Please see Job Description for full details of duties & responsibilities