Decedent Affairs Coordinator

Vanderbilt University Medical Center•Nashville, TN

About The Position

In your pivotal role as Decedent Affairs Coordinator, you will facilitate the deceased patient process, assisting with legal reporting, supporting families, and ensuring timely and appropriate disposition of remains. Strong customer service and compassion will be required for this role, as you will be dealing with physicians, nurses and families of the deceased. This is a night shift position with required hours from 6:30 PM - 7:00 AM CST. This role also requires work every 3rd weekend and every 3rd holiday. . DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: The Office of Decedent Affairs at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is here to answer questions and provide information about the release of the deceased loved one, death certificates, the medical examiner or autopsy. We will also help make decisions that best fit the loved ones' needs during this difficult time. We ensure paperwork is completed correctly and that the deceased is released to the funeral home or crematory that they've chosen. For more information, please visit https://www.vanderbilthealth.com/patient-resource/office-decedent-affairs.

Requirements

Relevant Work Experience
Experience Level: 1 year
Education: Bachelor's

Responsibilities

Manage deaths for all Vanderbilt Health System locations. Responsibilities include taking report, ensure documentation is complete, ensures outside agency reporting has been completed (Medical Examiner, Donor Service), confirms next of kin notification, coordinate disposition.
Death Certificate Administration –Starts the state Death Certificate, completes demographic information, ensures physician completes appropriate sections of the certificate and certifies. Assigns certificate to the funeral home crematory specified by the next of kin or files with state. Assist physicians to submit notarized affidavit to change information on a state death certificate.
Documentation audits/ quality -Confirms accuracy of morgue logs. Monthly audits of morgue badge swipe reports to ensure morgue security. Confirms accuracy of death disposition in patient EMR. Perform documentation audits to ensure all death documentation is complete and correct.
Coordinates Vanderbilt sponsored cremations for infants/fetuses including required permits and documentation. Schedule appointments and return cremains to family. Provide families with information about obtaining state Death Certificate
Coordinate with other departments and agencies to ensure families can schedule a meeting with individuals when they have questions following the death of a patient. Issue permit for transport of decedent across state lines
Coordinate cultural and religious customs requests surrounding the release of decedent to the funeral home or crematory
Serves as morgue attendant – Oversee the handling and storage of deceased individuals in accordance with legal and ethical standards.
Train, and mentors new Decedent Affairs staff on processes, responsibilities, and reporting requirements.
Developing and maintaining education and resource information on hospital procedures, and workflows.
Overall departmental management when the Associate Director is unavailable or otherwise needs assistance. Assists Associate Director with staffing, scheduling, reporting, and communication needs.