Job overview
A secondment opportunity has within the bereavement service for the role of the bereavement team leader for HHFT
The postholder will manage the day-to-day service operations of the cross-site bereavement team, providing direct line management, support and guidance to the bereavement officers to support the achievement departmental objectives and drive process changes and improvements within the service.
The post holder will also work as a bereavement officer providing a Trust-wide service for newly bereaved relatives, ensuring that newly bereaved families understand procedures for registration of death and provide support to families, advising on the arrangements and facilitating mortuary viewings in a professional and caring manner.
They will also support the production and distribution of the medical certificate of death through liaison with the Medical Examiner Service and engagement with medical teams and maintain regular contact with family, mortuary staff, coroner’s office and funeral directors for families to proceed with funeral arrangements in a timely fashion
The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate visible leadership skills, have experience in an emotional environment, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, be empathetic and resilient and work well under high pressure and changing priorities
Main duties of the job
· Manage the day-to-day work of the bereavement team in line with trust policies and procedures, manging the rota to ensure service delivery is achieved, ensuring all sicknesses and annual leave is recorded on trust systems, escalating appropriately if necessary and well as individual and team performance in the form of regular 1-1s and annual appraisals.
Work closely with the external publication service to ensure information in HHFT bereavement booklets is up to date and remains relevant
Answering phones and offering practical and psychological support to bereaved relatives providing expert guidance regarding the death certification process and funeral arrangement.
Accompany and provide support to bereaved relatives who wish to view their next of kin in the Chapel of Rest. This involves not only dealing with families and carers of those who die in hospital but potentially those who die in sudden and/or tragic circumstances within the coroner's jurisdiction.
Maintain knowledge of legislation changes regarding death certification processes
Fulfil the obligation as an occupier to register deaths when relatives are unable to attend a registration office, in line with registration legislation.
Facilitate bereavement educational sessions/presentations at junior doctors’ induction and trust study days.
Working for our organisation
Our vision is to provide outstanding care for every patient. Patient care is at the heart of what we do at our three sites: Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and Andover War Memorial Hospital. Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides medical and surgical services to a population of approximately 600,000 people across Hampshire and parts of West Berkshire.
Our cultural ambition is to have a culture that places people at the heart of all we do, where we all belong, and where learning, improvement and excellence thrive.
We provide specialist services to people across the UK and internationally. We are one of only two centres in the UK treating pseudomyxoma peritonei (a rare form of abdominal cancer) and we are leaders in the field of tertiary liver cancer and colorectal cancer.
The trust employs more than 9,000 staff and has a turnover of over £500 million a year. As a Foundation Trust, we are directly accountable to our members through the governors. The Council of Governors represent the interests of their constituencies and influence the future plans of the Foundation Trust.
Your Next Career Move Made Easier – Accommodation May Be Offered
We understand relocating can be a big step. Hampshire Hospitals may be able to provide accommodation options for successful candidates, depending on availability. If this something you would like to explore please contact on 02080 360017
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Happy to Talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible and part time working will be considered.
Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached.
Person specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Good standard of general education including English Language and Maths GCSE pass grade or equivalent
2. Basic IT training
3. Experience in managing administrative teams
Desirable criteria
4. Management or leadership qualification
5. Training in working with Bereaved relatives, deceased patients and the process of death certification or equivalent experience.
Exeprience and Knowledge
Essential criteria
6. Supervisory experience, including co-ordinating staff, managing performance and challenging behaviour
7. Experience of working in a fast-paced environment
8. Experience of transformation and process development within the NHS
9. Experience of having emotional and sensitive conversations with service user
10. Experience with managing complaints or challenging situations with service users
Desirable criteria
11. Knowledge of transformation tools and experience of implementing significant changes within the NHS
12. Experience in NHS IT systems including Allocate, EPR, Oracle and National spine system
13. Experience with communicating with the bereaved
14. Knowledge in the death certification process
15. Experience in facilitating mortuary viewings or similar situations
Skills and Ability
Essential criteria
16. Ability to lead projects, identify collaborative working and cost saving opportunities
17. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to deliver information in a caring, empathetic manner
18. Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and priorities workload in a challenging and demanding environment
19. Skilled with working with different stakeholders including internal and external services
20. Ability to work with accuracy and attention to detail
21. Be able to manage own emotions in difficult situations
Desirable criteria
22. Keen to learn and take on opportunities for both personal and service development