Mortuary & Bereavement Support Assistant in Bedford

We are recruiting for an enthusiastic and hard working individual to join the Mortuary & Bereavement Office Team, assisting in co-ordinating the day to day functions of the Mortuary & Bereavement Service. This role will be cross site and successful applicants will be required to work on a rota system at both Bedford hospital and the Luton & Dunstable hospital.

Main duties of the job:

• Carrying out the administrative procedures required in relation to patient deaths, including reception duties, admission/discharge of deceased patients.
• Assist in providing correct, informative support and advice to bereaved relatives.
• Assists with preparing deceased for Post Mortem, viewings and identifications.
• Contribute to maintaining a high quality service through evaluation and monitoring.
• Assist the Mortuary & Bereavement Office Team in developing the service in response to Trust requirements and national initiatives.
• Prioritise care of deceased at all times.
• Possibility for role to develop into future opportunities in Anatomical Pathology Technology and Medical Examiner Officer training.

About us:

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values:

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive and clear information, advice and practical support to patients, bereaved families, friends and staff about procedures following death. Where required assist with locating and distribution of patient property.
• Ensure that there is effective two-way communication between the Mortuary & Bereavement Service and external agencies such as His Majesty's Coroners Office, The Registry Office, provide data for the office of National Statistics, crematoria and cemeteries locally, Funeral Directors, Local Council and the Police as required.
• Support the Mortuary & Bereavement Office Team in ensuring that documentation used by the service is consistent and of a high quality.
• To comply with Policies and Procedures commensurate to role.
• Ensure the Deceased Patient Check List is completed, appropriately, signed and dated.
• Maintains computer and written records relating to the deceased's admission and discharge.

Person Specification:

• Qualifications: Evidence of good level of education to include GCSE grade C in Mathematics and English or equivalent.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of windows and excel.
• Experience: Experience of working to deadlines and managing own workload to meet the needs of a service; Experience of working within a team; Able to work alone; Experience of a secondary care environment/healthcare setting.
• Knowledge: Understanding of the need for confidentiality awareness at all times; Able to empathise with people; Knowledge of NHS administrative systems, patient information systems, hospital departments, clerical / office procedures, data input procedures.
• Personal Skills: Attention to detail and accuracy; Able to work well under pressure; Open and Honest nature; Ability to handle a high pressure and changeable work environment; Able to cope and effectively work in a highly stressful environment and situations.
• Other: Problem-solving skills; Able to cope with an occasional requirement for physical effort and lifting of objects (5kg or over); Able to work alone and make decisions to commensurate within responsibilities of the role.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.