Bereavement Services Officer

We are seeking a caring, organised and professional Bereavement Services Officer to join our Bereavement Services team at University Hospital Coventry. The postholder will provide a sensitive, timely and professional service to families and carers following the death of a patient within Trust premises. Acting as a key point of contact, you will support bereaved relatives through the practical processes that follow a death, including death certification, registration, funeral arrangements and post-mortem processes, while working closely with clinical teams, Medical Examiners, the Coroner's Office and external partners. This role requires excellent communication skills, emotional resilience, attention to detail and the ability to work calmly and compassionately in a sensitive environment, while upholding Trust values and contributing to continuous learning from deaths and service improvement. The postholder will be required to book patient viewings in the Mortuary and accompany relatives to view the deceased person in the Chapel of Rest when required. Please be advised that sponsorship is not eligible for this post. The postholder will have a full UK driving license and access to a car that can be used for business use. Please note that an international driving license is not accepted.,

• Provide a sensitive, timely and professional service to people recently bereaved following a death within the Trust.
• Act as an intermediary between bereaved families, clinicians and the Medical Examiner Service, helping to resolve concerns relating to a patient's death.
• Support families with practical arrangements following a death, including registration of death, coroner referrals, funeral arrangements and provision of relevant documentation.
• Respond to enquiries from bereaved families, Trust staff and external agencies with empathy, professionalism and discretion, both by telephone and in person.
• Maintain accurate, timely and confidential records relating to deaths in accordance with Trust policy, legislation and national guidance.
• Liaise closely with coroners, registrars, mortuary services, Chaplaincy, funeral directors and internal and external partners.
• Support hospital post mortem processes, including obtaining consent in line with the Human Tissue Act 2004.
• Arrange Trust funerals and manage cases where no next of kin are identified, in line with Trust procedures.
• Provide information, advice and signposting to bereavement support services, recognising the emotional, cultural and faith needs of individuals.
• Contribute to learning from deaths, governance processes and service improvement initiatives.
• Participate in team huddles, meetings and required training, including Trust improvement and quality programmes.
  
  University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.
We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do. Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare. We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk) By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team. The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.