Decedent Care Specialist - Decedent Care

Job Description

ECU Health

About ECU Health Medical Center

ECU Health Medical Center, one of four academic medical centers in North Carolina, is the 974-bed flagship hospital for ECU Health and serves as the primary teaching hospital for The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. ECU Health Medical Center has achieved Magnet® designation twice and provides acute and intermediate care, rehabilitation and outpatient health services to a 29-county region that is home to more than 1.4 million people.

Position Summary

Responsible for the maintenance of a Decedent Care Program that meets the needs of patients, families, caregivers, and staff in accordance with ECU Health Medical Center standards of care.

Responsibilities

Assist in the orientation and training of staff and volunteers.
Act as liaison with clinicians, hospital services, Medical Examiners, deceased patients' family and funeral homes to expedite paperwork processing, bed-turnover and release of decedent from the hospital.

Provide feedback to Decedent Care Supervisor of potentially complicated Decedent Care events and involve Risk Management as per protocol.

Coordinate inpatient autopsy services and act as the liaison between the Medical Examiners and deceased patients' family.

Work with funeral homes, providers and Health Department to address incomplete or inaccurate death certificates.

Work collaboratively with Carolina Donor Services, Miracles in Sight and governmental agencies (county and state) using a "customer service" framework to facilitate the Decedent Care process.
Coordinate care with unit and hospital services on decedent care services at time-of-death.

Conduct appropriate interactions with next-of-kin and/or present family members to provide necessary assistance, support, and completion of decedent care responsibilities.

Ensure compliance with legal, state, and federal regulations, required documents and procedures related to Decedent Care.

Move decedents off units and transport to hospital morgue to release to funeral homes.

Knowledge of ECU Health Medical Center autopsy procedures and ability to talk to family to explain variations available when necessary.

Provide end-of-life and decedent care support and education related to end of life options to families.

Document any unclaimed belongings that go to the morgue with the decedent.

Work cooperatively with Palliative Care staff on overall end-of-life related care goals and responsibilities.

Assist in upkeep of morgue including cleaning and disinfecting.

Ensure the family receives necessary bereavement support.

Responsibilities

Assist in the orientation and training of staff and volunteers.
Act as liaison with clinicians, hospital services, Medical Examiners, deceased patients' family and funeral homes to expedite paperwork processing, bed-turnover and release of decedent from the hospital.

Provide feedback to Decedent Care Supervisor of potentially complicated Decedent Care events and involve Risk Management as per protocol.

Coordinate inpatient autopsy services and act as the liaison between the Medical Examiners and deceased patients' family.

Work with funeral homes, providers and Health Department to address incomplete or inaccurate death certificates.

Work collaboratively with Carolina Donor Services, Miracles in Sight and governmental agencies (county and state) using a "customer service" framework to facilitate the Decedent Care process.
Coordinate care with unit and hospital services on decedent care services at time-of-death.

Conduct appropriate interactions with next-of-kin and/or present family members to provide necessary assistance, support, and completion of decedent care responsibilities.

Ensure compliance with legal, state, and federal regulations, required documents and procedures related to Decedent Care.

Move decedents off units and transport to hospital morgue to release to funeral homes.

Knowledge of ECU Health Medical Center autopsy procedures and ability to talk to family to explain variations available when necessary.

Provide end-of-life and decedent care support and education related to end of life options to families.

Document any unclaimed belongings that go to the morgue with the decedent.

Work cooperatively with Palliative Care staff on overall end-of-life related care goals and responsibilities.

Assist in upkeep of morgue including cleaning and disinfecting.

Ensure the family receives necessary bereavement support.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor's degree is required- or higher.

Two years of healthcare related experience or post-mortem related experience preferred.

Strong interpersonal communication skills, verbal and written

Ability to communicate and work effectively with all levels of staff

Commitment to a high standard of customer service

Knowledge of medical terminology, basic computer skills and communication tools are required.

Intermediate MS Word, Outlook, Excel, Access, EPIC skills required.

Ability to problem solve, make decisions, set priorities and keep accurate, timely and orderly records.

Attention to Detail is critical.

Act as team player exhibiting flexibility, self-motivation, dependability, and the ability to work well with others.

Other Information

This is a PRN/As needed position - no benefits

Rotating shifts: Flexible, must be able to work days, nights, weekends as needed.

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General Statement

It is the goal of ECU Health and its entities to employ the most qualified individual who best matches the requirements for the vacant position.

Offers of employment are subject to successful completion of all pre-employment screenings, which may include an occupational health screening, criminal record check, education, reference, and licensure verification.

We value diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Decisions of employment are made based on business needs, job requirements and applicant’s qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other status protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint.