Bereavement Advisor

Bereavement advisors are a key link between the trust's clinicians and the patient's next-of-kin following the death of a patient in the hospital. Advisors will offer guidance to the next of kin to ensure medical certificates of cause of death are completed and issued promptly. This involves telephone contact with the bereaved to discuss the process of arranging a funeral and registering the death. Bereavement advisors do not however provide a counselling service. Advisors liaise with clinical and ward staff to help ensure that documentation is completed accurately and on time. Advisors are also involved in updating the service's database, and general clerical tasks.
The team liaises with mortuary staff, coroner's officers, registration service and ward staff to enable deceased patients to be released into the care of the chosen funeral director.
The Medical Examiner also service works closely with bereavement services. Medical examiners are involved with the independent scrutiny of deceased patient's medical records and link in with the patient safety processes., Deliver an efficient and accurate administration and support service to the bereaved, clinical staff, chaplaincy team and the Medical Examiner. Communicate and explain to the bereaved the processes involved, providing support as required. Ensure that death documentation and legal processes are completed accurately and within departmental targets, enabling the bereaved to register the death and proceed with funeral arrangements.
Liaise with other services including the mortuary staff, funeral directors, registration service and the coroner's service.
Full-time or part-time candidates will be considered. Please note that the selection process will initially be an interview process. Candidates successful at the interview will be invited back to a second interview, which will involve the candidate spending approximately an hour with the bereavement team before a final decision is made., 1. Check the patient's medical records and notification of death form to identify the patient's next of kin, friend or designated representative and identify the appropriate clinical staff to contact. Make arrangements for the clinician to attend the bereavement office to complete the death certificate and cremation or burial paperwork.
2. Contact the deceased patient's next of kin or designated representative via telephone, book an appointment for them to collect the death certificate and any property/valuables. This will include sensitive calls to/from the bereaved who may be very distressed. Offer guidance, advice and support to the bereaved, ensuring they have a clear understanding of the process in respect of registering deaths and making funeral arrangements. Deal with bereaved persons who may have difficult family situations or circumstances
3. Liaise with clinical staff and medical Examiner/Officer, ensure the MCCD is completed accurately, within departmental target times and in line with statutory requirements, support and provide advice to clinical staff when required.
Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 3229 does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer). The Trust would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.
The Job Description, which includes a Person Specification, provides a full outline of responsibilities and requirements for this role. Please use your supporting statement to demonstrate how you meet the person specification., Visa and Immigration
If you are wishing to apply for this role and would require sponsorship (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer), you can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this post by assessing your circumstances against criteria specified on the gov.uk website https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job.
Travelling to work
Staff parking is available onsite; however, this is limited during core working hours. We have more capacity in the evening and at weekends and can usually provide spaces during those hours.
We look to allocate these spaces fairly. Our Travel Office have a set of criteria that staff must meet in order to qualify. If you qualify for a space, you may be placed on a waiting list if we are at full capacity.
The NNUH is served by a number of public buses, and we offer generously discounted monthly passes with First Bus & Konect.
The Costessey Park and Ride runs regularly each day from 06:30 (from P&R) to 20:45 (from NNUH) and this service is free for NHS staff. There is a regular Thickthorn P&R service as well which is free. Applications to the Travel Office are required for this service. We also have a discounted service from the airport P&R if you purchase a bundle. Please see Konect website for further details.
The NNUH host multiple bicycle racks and a salary sacrifice scheme. We also benefit from a Beryl station onsite.
If you work at another Trust site, please discuss travel and parking arrangements at interview.
DBS
If this post involves working with children or adults the application form will ask for information regarding previous convictions as you will be required to undertake a Criminal Record and Barring Check known as a DBS check.
If you are a new employee or registering with the Staff Bank you will need to meet the cost of this unless your salary is less than point 9 of Afc
NHS Service
Should you be appointed to the post we will need to establish any previous NHS service via the ESR IAT and we will accept the submission of your application as your agreement to this.
UK Registration
You will need to have current UK professional registration where this is a requirement of the role.
Application
Following candidate feedback and to reduce our dependency on paper, all our communication with you regarding your application will be by email so could you please check your e-mails (and Spam) regularly.
We value equality in our team and recruit from all sections of the community. We recognise there is a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and if you meet the minimum criteria detailed in the person specification and have a disability, you may wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme by indicating this in the relevant section on your application.
We look forward to receiving your application and if you do not hear within the next four weeks this will usually mean that you have not been short-listed. However, if you wish to confirm this please contact the person indicated on the advert.
Flexibility
Whilst every effort will be made to recruit to the post as it is advertised, there may be occasions where we consider alternative working patterns, such as part time working, or contract types, such as secondments, depending on circumstances. Should you wish to work in a different working pattern to that stated in our advertisement, please indicate this in the supporting statement to your application.

At NNUH it is our privilege to provide healthcare to over one million people across Norfolk and surrounding areas. Our vision is to 'provide the best care for every patient', and if this inspires you and you share our values, we really want you to join our team.
NNUH is currently the busiest Trauma Unit in the East of England caring for almost 850 trauma patients annually many with complex care needs. We are enhancing our urgent and emergency care specialist services for patients with significant injuries as a result of trauma and have an ambition to become a Major Trauma Centre.
Our values support our vision and guide the behaviour of everything we do, these are:
People-focused
We look after the needs of our patients, carers and colleagues, to provide a safe and caring experience for all.
Respect
We act with care, compassion and kindness and value others' diverse needs.
Integrity
We take an honest, open and ethical approach to everything we do.
Dedication
We work as one team and support each other to maintain the highest professional standards.
Excellence
We continuously learn and improve to achieve the best outcomes for our patients and our hospital.

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!
The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.
We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity
We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:
+ Flexible working hours
+ Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
+ Multi Faith prayer room
+ Discounted gym memberships
+ Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
+ Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
+ Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
+ Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
+ On-site Nursery
+ On-site cafes offering staff discounts
+ Support in career development
+ Flexible staff bank
+ Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics