Medical Examiner’s & Bereavement Officer Ipswich, England
Job description
We have a new vacancy within our Mortuary and Bereavement Team at Ipswich Hospital for a Medical Examiner’s & Bereavement Officer.
We are a busy but small department responsible for ensuring families are supported through the process of death certification and registration including all elements of the Medical Examiner process.
Whilst this is predominantly an administrative role, the role will involve at times the arrangement and viewings for families, often in difficult circumstances and provide support to the bereaved during and after viewings as required this will also involve the checking of identification and condition of the deceased in line with department procedures to ensure the correct patient has been prepared.
As such applicants are advised they need to be comfortable with this. There is also a requirement to be familiar with common medical terminology.
A band 4 developmental role would be considered for applicants who do not currently fulfil the specification for a band 5 post. This would be assessed as part of the interview process. You will be supported with face-to-face learning and competencies to then be signed off as competent using the National Framework to progress to the band 5.
The primary functions of the role is the collation of documents required for death registration, supporting the Medical Examiner process, supporting families through the death registration process and liaison with HM Coroner’s Office and funeral directors.
The work requires a calm and methodical approach. Clear and tactful communication with recently bereaved people is an essential element of the role. Attention to detail and accuracy is paramount.
The work is varied and, at times, challenging but it is a stimulating and interesting environment for the right person. Whilst predominantly based at Ipswich Hospital there is an opportunity for some remote working within the scope of this post.
One of the largest Trust’s in East Anglia, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) provide hospital and community health services to people living across a wide geographical area. We deliver care from two main hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, six community hospitals and in patients’ own homes. You will be joining a team of almost 12,000 amazing colleagues providing care to approximately a million people.
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (if applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services. We offer a range of flexible working opportunities.
Our philosophy is thatTime Mattersto everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which do not work or cause time delays for our staff and patients.
To support our employees to achieve their career aspirations you may be eligible to obtain a qualification via an apprenticeship. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a skills review to facilitate this. For full details please see the attached Apprenticeship Handbook.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge then we are keen to hear from you.
Find out about living and working with us -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A
The post holder shall provide the primary administrative support for the Medical Examiners by collating and documenting information pertaining to a deceased patient’s care episode and past medical history. Identifying which deaths require referral to HM Coroner and providing an administrative contact between Doctors, Wards, Funeral Directors, Midwives and the Chaplaincy and to liaise with medical staff to expedite timely completion of Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCD) and Cremation forms.
The Medical Examiner role is an essential element to expedite the completion and release of a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the family of the deceased. Delays in the process can cause distress to the bereaved and prolong the length of time a patient is held in our Mortuary.
The post holder will liaise with Medical Examiners, HM Coroner’s Office, Registration Services, Crematoria, Funeral Directors, next of Kin, Police, Solicitors, Social Services, tissue and organ donation co-ordinators, anatomy schools and GP Practices on a range of matters as required on a daily basis to facilitate the process of releasing deceased patients from our care.
The post holder shall provide advice and support to the recently bereaved, Medical Examiners, clinicians, funeral directors and partner organisations ensuring information sharing is managed appropriately.
Time will be divided between the Medical Examiner’s Office function and the function of a Bereavement Officer on a rota basis.
The post holder will work in the Medical Examiner’s Office. The Medical Examiner’s Office will manage the flow around 4000 deceased patients from the hospital, Emergency Department and the community annually.
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
