Overview
To provide general advice, guidance and support within the bereavement office for all deaths occurring in the Trust. Carry out duties in such a way as to make a direct and positive contribution to the organisation of the work. It is essential that you exercise initiative commensurate with the role and it is vital that confidentiality is maintained at all times. To liaise with mortuary staff and ward staff on a daily basis to identify deaths which have occurred in the hospital.
Responsibilities
* To liaise with ward staff and medical staff for the timely and accurate completion of medical certificates of death.
* To facilitate the preparation of cremation forms and liaise with funeral directors, doctors and mortuary staff.
* To verify and process all documents relating to the registration of deaths for families.
* To liaise with Coroners Officers regarding referrals of hospital deaths and relatives' enquiries.
* To liaise with GP Surgeries informing them of the date of death and cause of death in a timely manner.
* Be able to work as part of a team, promote effective flows in the department to cover leave and ensure office runs smoothly.
* Work with managers to review working practices, ways of working and find solutions to problems/update procedures.
* Liaise with appropriate stakeholders/departments in arranging hospital funerals.
* Liaise with the General Registrar's Office concerning any queries over acceptable causes of death.
* Liaise with Coroners Liaison Officer to obtain medical certificates of death where possible for the relatives of patients that have been recently discharged from hospital where the GP has been unable to issue, in order to save the relatives from the distress of the deceased having to go through a post mortem.
* To supply the Notification of Death report to other hospital departments that use stand-alone recording systems.
* When circumstances require, contact HM Coroner's Offices concerning any reportable deaths giving any assistance that may be required.
* To support the Bereavement Officers in general office duties.
* To assist in the production, maintenance and implementation of SOPs and implementation of new processes.
* Participate in the new doctors' induction day informing them of the requirements of the Bereavement Service.
* Assist with the investigation and compilation of responses to complaints, helping to ensure this is done within the optimum deadlines set by the Trust.
* Recording of deaths and all appropriate information in the death register.
* Update the deceased patient's notes and arrange for them to be sent to the relevant department.
* Compile monthly/annual statistics for internal and external use.
* Make full use of the computer systems and packages available. Ensure all information is updated regularly and take responsibility for reporting any faults, incorrect patient data and breaches in security.
* Collate audit data for Clinical Pathology Accreditation and Benchmarking, leading for Qualsys on documentation control for Departmental Manager. Undertake audit of own work when necessary.
* Establish, maintain and develop professional working relations with colleagues.
* Effective verbal and written communication should be maintained at all times by extracting the correct and relevant information to deal successfully with queries/requests from GPs, staff, patients, relatives and other agencies. Show empathy when dealing with calls of a distressing nature. Impart confidential information when instructed.
* Be aware and responsive to changes within the Trust and adopt a flexible and proactive approach to work.
* General office duties including dealing with incoming and outgoing mail, e-mail, photocopier. Participate in housekeeping of the office environment.
* Guidance/mentoring to new clerical/medical staff. Any other duties as deemed necessary for the effective service for the department. Undertake audits as required. Assist with research/data collection as required.
* Obtain information requested by Cellular Pathology Service Lead Manager/ASC Manager as and when required. Work with manager to review working practices, ways of working and find solution to problems. To work in a flexible manner in accordance with Trust Policy. Any other duties required by ASC Manager.
Additional Information
Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey and West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust. We may close a vacancy earlier than stated if a sufficient number of applications are received. The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for feedback on your experience. We actively promote Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We offer a Disability Confident Leader and Guaranteed Interview schemes where applicable. For details, refer to the online application and supporting documents. The Trust provides flexible working options and a range of employee benefits including pension, leave, and discounts. The Trust is non-smoking on all sites. Applicants should ensure statements and examples are truthful and not AI-generated. We operate anonymous shortlisting and collect equality monitoring information as part of the recruitment process.
Our services: Acute Care, Primary Care, Community Services, and Specialist Regional Services. Achievements include CQC Outstanding rating (2018), Top 100 places to work in the NHS, and National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023).
#J-18808-Ljbffr