Skip to main content

This site is independent of the NHS and the Department of Health.

Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Bereavement
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Part time
  • Job share
22.5 hours per week (08:00 - 16:00)
Job ref
391-RFL-7979076-A
Employer
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Cross site
Town
London
Salary
£34,186 - £37,389 Per annum inclusive of HCAS (pro rata)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
09/07/2026 23:59

Employer heading

NHS

Band 4 - Bereavement Officer

NHS AfC: Band 4

Our trust has over 17,000 staff serving 2 million patients every year. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and more than 30 services in the community.  This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.

Our mission is to deliver world class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world class teaching and research and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers’ money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation.

Everyone is welcome at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME, gender equality, staff carers and people with disabilities and lived experiences to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of technology that can perform various tasks that typically required human intelligence. Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey. Further guidance can be found in the NLPSS Applicant Toolkit https://royalfree.pagetiger.com/cuuomnr/1.

Click here to view our video Welcome to the Royal Free

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is committed to fair and transparent recruitment and requires applicants to provide accurate information, as misleading details may affect their application or employment and may be verified in line with the Fraud Act 2006. For further information please visit https://royalfree.pagetiger.com/cuuomnr/1.

 

Job overview

Within the Bereavement Offices across Royal Free, Barnet and North Middlesex Hospital sites, the post holder will provide dedicated support to all who contact our services regarding a death at our hospitals. The post holder will communicate in all bereavement-related matters with the bereaved by telephone, virtually or in person. The post requires an individual with excellent communication skills often in challenging situations. 

Previous applicants need not apply

Please note if high volumes of applications are received the vacancy will close earlier than stated, you are advised to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment

 

 

 

Main duties of the job

To be the first point of contact at the trust for all matters in relation to deceased patients.

To display natural compassion, kindness and guidance to the bereaved 

 Responsible for the dignified processing of patient deaths, and the support of bereaved relatives who request assistance in a variety of circumstances  

To liaise with wards to ensure deceased patients’ property is available for collection by relatives via the wards.

To carry out the procedures concerning the return of deceased patient’s valuables and money via cashiers’ offices.

To liaise with the medical examiner service to ensure accurate coordination of completion of death certificates and/or referral to the Coroner. 

To liaise with medical staff on the provision of certificates on the cause of death, cremation forms and other relevant documentation. 

Accompanying and supporting relatives to the viewing room / mortuary Provide diverse assistance and advice to families and friends of deceased patients in conjunction with the hospital chaplain

Carry out investigations in the event of patients dying with no known next of kin with the aim of identifying a suitable person to register the death and take responsibility for the funeral arrangements.

Working for our organisation

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17million tests.


Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top


For more information please follow link https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

Person specification

Royal Free World Class Values

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values

Education & professional Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Education to a high A-Level
  • RSAIII or equivalent in keyboard skills.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of developing and managing own workload whilst at the same time being able to work co-operatively as part of a team
  • Demonstrable experience of working in a demanding and unpredictable environment
  • Understanding of hospital procedures and policies relating to death and bereavement.
  • Appropriate knowledge of medical terms to be used in checking cremation formon correct filling in of medical certificates of death.s and to supply advice to junior doctors

Skills and aptitudes

Essential criteria
  • Understanding of certification and legal processes relating to funerals
  • Demonstrates understanding of grief and loss and its impact on individuals
  • Knowledge of customs of other faiths and ethnic groups surrounding death
  • Demonstrates a natural ability to demonstrate compassion and kindness
  • Excellent communication skills in person/telephone/virtually/written
  • Excellent interpersonal skills required for the sensitive support of the bereaved
  • Confident & assertive whilst able to demonstrate empathy and tact

Personal Qualities & attributes

Essential criteria
  • Extensive experience of working with distressed and possibly hostile clients
  • Seeks out and takes opportunities for improving the service
  • Willing and able to take personal responsibility
  • Flexible approach to work; adaptable and open to change
  • Open and honest; willing/able to reflect and learn

Others

Essential criteria
  • Always puts patients and families first
  • Flexible in their attitudes and behaviours to support team working and delivery of objectives

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Nursing TimesApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleDisability confident employerTimewise PartnerCare Quality Commission - Requires improvementEnei MemberArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

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.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Jan Eversfield
Job title
Bereavement and Care After Death Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07929791163
Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies