Bereavement Officer

Hours Per Week: full time 37.5Contract Type: PermanentWe reserve the right to close this publish vacancy early
based on volume of applications receivedWe are seeking a compassionate and professional individual
to join our Bereavement Services team in a key administrative role supporting
bereaved families during a difficult time. This post is primarily office-based,
with a significant proportion of the work undertaken via telephone
contact with relatives, staff, and external organisations, requiring a high
level of sensitivity and professionalism.Main duties of the jobKey ResponsibilitiesAct as the first point of contact for relatives of deceased patients, responding to enquiries with sensitivity, empathy, and professionalism.Provide clear guidance and support to colleagues across the Trust, Medical Examiners, funeral directors, crematoria, registrars, and members of the public.Deliver a compassionate and timely service to ensure bereaved families are fully supported throughout the municate effectively in situations that may involve complex or sensitive discussions, including where there may be barriers to understanding.Respond to routine queries and concerns, identifying appropriate solutions within defined protocols.Liaise regularly with medical staff across Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust to ensure all legal documentation is completed accurately and promptly, in line with relatives wishes for burial or cremation.About usWorking as a partnership, both Isle of Wight NHS Trust
and
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust have a shared vision for excellence
in care for our patients and communities; with a set of strategic aims
underpinning how we will achieve this.The single corporate service is delivered across both
organisations. You may be based at either IWT or PHU and individuals may be
required to undertake business travel between sites. For leaders managing staff
across multi-site locations, you will need to be visible and provide in person
leadership. The arrangements and frequency will be agreed locally.The health and wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of
everything we do. We are proud to be able to offer our staff some fantastic
benefits including our on-site Nursery, access to our free Beach Hut for those
long summer days, our on-site Wellness Centre including a gym and a swimming
pool, access to our fantastic staff networks including LGBTQ, Race Equality and
DisAbility, and awards ceremonies to recognise your achievements. We believe we
can offer support to all of our staff when they need it the most.We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in
terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender
identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veterans'
status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.DetailsDate posted11 September 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 3Salary
25,760 to 27,476 a year
ContractPermanentWorking pattern
Full-time
Reference numberREF2291VJob locationsQueen Alexandra HospitalSouthwick Hill RoadPortsmouthHampshirePO6 3LYUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe post holder will play a vital role in ensuring a responsive, efficient, and high-quality bereavement service. Working closely with the Bereavement Services Manager, you will support liaison with Medical Examiner Officers (MEOs) in their role supporting the Medical Examiners. You will act as a key point of contact for relatives and external agencies, helping to ensure a smooth and respectful bereavement process.Please note, this role is not a counselling role and is purely administrative to support the families through the process of what happens following a death.Specific Core FunctionsWork in accordance with departmental and Trust policies and procedures, escalating to the Bereavement Services Manager where appropriate.Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of departmental protocols and
processes.Support the effective and efficient running of the Bereavement Service within agreed standards and boundaries.Plan and organise day-to-day activities to ensure a responsive and coordinated service.About YouCompassionate, respectful, and emotionally intelligentProfessional and able to communicate to a high standard with sensitivity and clarityExperience and organised administrator and able to manage a varied workloadConfident in liaising with both clinical and non-clinical stakeholdersFor further details please refer to enclosed job description., Job responsibilitiesThe post holder will play a vital role in ensuring a responsive, efficient, and high-quality bereavement service. Working closely with the Bereavement Services Manager, you will support liaison with Medical Examiner Officers (MEOs) in their role supporting the Medical Examiners. You will act as a key point of contact for relatives and external agencies, helping to ensure a smooth and respectful bereavement process.Please note, this role is not a counselling role and is purely administrative to support the families through the process of what happens following a death.Specific Core FunctionsWork in accordance with departmental and Trust policies and procedures, escalating to the Bereavement Services Manager where appropriate.Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of departmental protocols and processes.Support the effective and efficient running of the Bereavement Service within agreed standards and boundaries.Plan and
organise day-to-day activities to ensure a responsive and coordinated service.About YouCompassionate, respectful, and emotionally intelligentProfessional and able to communicate to a high standard with sensitivity and clarityExperience and organised administrator and able to manage a varied workloadConfident in liaising with both clinical and non-clinical stakeholdersFor further details please refer to enclosed job description.Person Specification

EssentialExperience of working in Healthcare/NHS. Demonstrable experience in an admin role with a good knowledge of office procedures.Experience of working in a people-centred environment. Experience of working with the public. Commitment to personal and professional development. Experienced communicator both orally and on paper., EssentialGCSE level of education or equivalent. Secretarial skills, acquired through an NVQ 3 or equivalent experience.
Skills and Knowledge
EssentialKeyboard skills to RSA level 3. Excellent listening skills. Tact and diplomacy when dealing with highly sensitive issues. Ability to present highly sensitive information in a highly emotive situation. Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with staff on all levels, patients and relatives.
Person Specification
Experience
EssentialExperience of working in Healthcare/NHS. Demonstrable experience in an admin role with a good knowledge of office procedures.Experience of working in a people-centred environment. Experience of working with the public. Commitment to personal and professional development. Experienced communicator both orally and on paper.
Qualifications
EssentialGCSE level of education or equivalent. Secretarial skills, acquired through an NVQ 3 or equivalent experience.
Skills and Knowledge
EssentialKeyboard skills to RSA level 3. Excellent listening skills. Tact and diplomacy when dealing with highly sensitive issues. Ability to present highly sensitive information in a highly emotive situation. Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with staff on all levels, patients and relatives.Employer detailsEmployer nameIsle of Wight NHS TrustAddressQueen Alexandra HospitalSouthwick Hill RoadPortsmouthHampshirePO6 3LYUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameIsle of Wight NHS TrustAddressQueen Alexandra HospitalSouthwick Hill RoadPortsmouthHampshirePO6 3LYUnited KingdomEmployer's website