Bereavement Officer inHarrogate inHarrogate PUBLISHED TUE 8 APR 2025
Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on bereaved families during a challenging time, providing essential support and guidance.
Work in a collaborative environment with medical, nursing, and administrative staff, enhancing teamwork and communication skills.
Possibility of flexible working hours, fostering a better work-life balance.
Engagement with various external partners, such as HM Coroners and Funeral Directors, which can broaden professional networks and relationships.
Access to employee support and wellbeing resources, including counseling services and recognition programs, promoting a healthy work environment.
A role that requires and develops strong interpersonal skills, such as empathy, tact, and diplomacy, valuable in many professional contexts.
Continuous opportunities for professional development and training within a reputable organisation committed to employee growth.
Join Our Team as a Bereavement Officer in Harrogate
Are you a compassionate individual looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others? At Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, we are seeking a dedicated Bereavement Officer to provide essential support to families during their most challenging times. In this rewarding role, you'll be the first point of contact for bereaved families, offering them guidance and support on procedural matters related to death notification and funeral arrangements. Your sensitivity and ability to listen will be vital as you navigate sensitive situations with empathy and professionalism.
We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where kindness, integrity, and teamwork are at the heart of what we do. As a valued member of our team, you will collaborate closely with medical and administrative staff while coordinating the bereavement function in line with national and hospital guidelines. This full-time position (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday) offers a competitive salary of £26,530 - £29,114, along with opportunities for personal and professional development. If you are ready to take the next step in your career and make a positive impact in the community, we invite you to apply today!
Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on bereaved families during a challenging time, providing essential support and guidance.
Work in a collaborative environment with medical, nursing, and administrative staff, enhancing teamwork and communication skills.
Possibility of flexible working hours, fostering a better work-life balance.
Engagement with various external partners, such as HM Coroners and Funeral Directors, which can broaden professional networks and relationships.
Access to employee support and wellbeing resources, including counseling services and recognition programs, promoting a healthy work environment.
A role that requires and develops strong interpersonal skills, such as empathy, tact, and diplomacy, valuable in many professional contexts.
Continuous opportunities for professional development and training within a reputable organisation committed to employee growth.
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
About
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust cares for the population in Harrogate and the local area as well as across North Yorkshire and Leeds. We also provide childrens services in the North East in County Durham, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Gateshead and Sunderland.
View job detailskeyboard_arrow_downHide job detailskeyboard_arrow_up
Key details
Location
SiteHarrogate and District NHS Foundation TrustTownHarrogatePostcodeHG2 7SXMajor / Minor RegionNorth Yorkshire
Contract type & working pattern
ContractPermanentHours37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday)
Salary£26,530 - £29,114 or secondmentSalary periodYearlyGrade(NHS AfC: Band 4)
Specialty
Main areaCorporate
Job Overview
The Bereavement Officer will provide a service to friends or relatives of deceased patients. This includes offering information and advice on procedural matters relating to death notification, funeral arrangements and the release of patients personal property. The role of Bereavement Officer requires the post-holder to exercise tact and diplomacy, sensitivity, and the ability to listen. It also involves a considerable degree of independent judgement and initiative in liaising with a variety of services, as may be appropriate, on related matters.
The post holder will be expected to work with all grades of medical, nursing and administration staff to coordinate the smooth running of the bereavement function in accordance with national and hospital guidelines for the care of the bereaved, the medical certification of deceased patients and preparations for Inquest hearings.
The post holder will receive direction, but will be expected to manage a workload, determine priorities, achieve deadlines and identify future tasks and work needs.
Advert
Job Responsibilities
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) cares for the population in Harrogate and the local area, as well as across North Yorkshire, Leeds and parts of the North East.
At HDFT we provide outstanding care to both our patients and our staff and we value Kindness, Integrity, Teamwork and Equality. If youre looking for an interesting and rewarding career in the NHS, where you can make a real difference to patients lives, HDFT could be the place for you!
We Offer Colleagues
Please see the attached documents and contact Yasser Hussain [email protected] or for an informal discussion about the role.
Applicant requirements
info The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
About
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust cares for the population in Harrogate and the local area as well as across North Yorkshire and Leeds. We also provide childrens services in the North East in County Durham, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Gateshead and Sunderland.
View job detailskeyboard_arrow_downHide job detailskeyboard_arrow_up
Key details
Location
SiteHarrogate and District NHS Foundation TrustTownHarrogatePostcodeHG2 7SXMajor / Minor RegionNorth Yorkshire
Contract type & working pattern
ContractPermanentHours37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday)
- Full time
- Flexible working
Salary£26,530 - £29,114 or secondmentSalary periodYearlyGrade(NHS AfC: Band 4)
Specialty
Main areaCorporate
Job Overview
The Bereavement Officer will provide a service to friends or relatives of deceased patients. This includes offering information and advice on procedural matters relating to death notification, funeral arrangements and the release of patients personal property. The role of Bereavement Officer requires the post-holder to exercise tact and diplomacy, sensitivity, and the ability to listen. It also involves a considerable degree of independent judgement and initiative in liaising with a variety of services, as may be appropriate, on related matters.
The post holder will be expected to work with all grades of medical, nursing and administration staff to coordinate the smooth running of the bereavement function in accordance with national and hospital guidelines for the care of the bereaved, the medical certification of deceased patients and preparations for Inquest hearings.
The post holder will receive direction, but will be expected to manage a workload, determine priorities, achieve deadlines and identify future tasks and work needs.
Advert
Job Responsibilities
- Be the first point of contact for bereaved families and coordinate the bereavement function throughout the Trust.
- Work with colleagues on wards and departments to co-ordinate the collection of the deceaseds belongings.
- Work with colleagues in the Mortuary team to arrange viewings for families of deceased patients.
- Coordinate the initial referral to the Coroner by the Parent Medical team in a timely manner
- Assist the Legal Services Team in managing coroner requests for information, statements and preparing for Inquest hearings.
- In line with processes, support the bereaved in raising and documenting their concerns and complaints, initiating the complaints handling process and assisting in their administration in conjunction with the Patient Experience Team.
- Link closely with the Patient Experience Team and Palliative Care Teams to analyse common concerns arising from people who are bereaved and identify their core needs.
- Regularly attend Wards and Departments to ensure that supplies of relevant documentation is in good supply and available when needed. May also be required to collect and deliver patient records to support the referral to the Coroner.
- Liaise with external partners; HM Coroners, Funeral Directors, Local Authorities and Registration services.
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) cares for the population in Harrogate and the local area, as well as across North Yorkshire, Leeds and parts of the North East.
At HDFT we provide outstanding care to both our patients and our staff and we value Kindness, Integrity, Teamwork and Equality. If youre looking for an interesting and rewarding career in the NHS, where you can make a real difference to patients lives, HDFT could be the place for you!
We Offer Colleagues
- A supportive culture so colleagues can bring their whole selves to work.
- Staff Recognition - as well as regular appraisals, we recognise achievements with our Making a Difference & Team of the Month Awards, along with annual Colleague Recognition Awards.
- Employee Support and wellbeing we offer a wide range of staff benefits including an Employee Assistance Programme, counselling service and a fast-track Physiotherapy service.
- Due to high levels of interest, posts may close early if we reach a sufficient number of applications
- Visa sponsorship is only available for certain roles. Please ensure the role you are interested in meets the criteria for a visa before submitting your application.
- Please also be aware that the Trust does not offer relocation packages for Agenda for Change roles.
Please see the attached documents and contact Yasser Hussain [email protected] or for an informal discussion about the role.
Applicant requirements
info The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Holds qualifications equivalent to diploma level, or is able to demonstrate administrative experience of an equivalent level.
- GCSE English and mathematics, at Grade C or above
- Administration qualification - Experience of Patient Administration System - Knowledge of databases and spreadsheets
Essential criteria
- Good IT skills and experience of working with multiple IT systems as part of the role.
- Significant experience of working with people in a customer care context, including face to face interactions
- Experience of using Datix
- Experience of working with bereaved families
- JD (, 432.6)PDFKB
- Trust Policies and Procedures (, 184.6)PDFKB
More information related to this job opportunity, from jobsincare:
Possible interview questions for this job
Click to
view Start practice interview
NEW!
Please wait...this will take a moment...
Please wait...this will take a moment...
More about the NHS
The National Health Service (NHS) is a cornerstone of healthcare in the United Kingdom, established in 1948 with the simple yet profound principle of providing healthcare to all citizens, free at the point of use. This revolutionary system aimed to ensure that access to medical services would not depend on an individual’s financial situation, a concept that has since become fundamental to British societal values. Learn more...
More from Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
inHarrogate
What might it look like to work here?
Stand by, we'll show you...
Stand by, we'll show you...
This image is not representative.
Learn more