Decedent Affairs Coordinator

Stanford Health Care•Stanford, CA

4d•$42 - $54•Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Decedent Affairs is the main entity managing the postmortem care, storage of, and release of remains of deceased patients across Stanford Health Care, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, and Tri-Valley Pleasanton. Decedent Affairs Coordinators work within the clinical setting, liaising with, working side-by-side with, and supporting nurses and physician teams in the care of the patient. Decedent Affairs Coordinators provide compassionate and direct post-mortem care to patients by ensuring their dignity, respect, and personal wishes are honored after death. By offering emotional and logistical support to families and loved ones, Decedent Affairs Coordinators extend their care to patients in their final phase, helping to create a sense of closure and continuity of care even after life has ended. The Office of Decedent Affairs prime responsibility is to ensure continuity of care for all Stanford Heath Care, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, and Tri-Valley Pleasanton patients by assuming responsibility for patients after death.

Requirements

Demonstrated human relations and effective verbal and written communication skills
Excellent problem solving and conflict resolution skills
Attention to detail is critical
Strong coordination and organizational skills required to prioritize deadlines
Knowledge of medical terminology/bereavement training preferred
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Ability to interpret and analyze clinical data and medical records
Ability to navigate EDRS, FDRS, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook
This position provides independent coordination and decision making for all activities of a specified program
Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS/FRDS) experience/ certification strongly preferred.
Minimum four (4) years of experience in healthcare or bereavement setting (required)
Bachelor’s degree in a related field (preferred)

Nice To Haves

Funeral home/mortuary/healthcare decedent care experience (preferred)
Previous experience in patient satisfaction/customer service (preferred)
LCSW - Lic Clinical Social Worker preferred .
CAFD - CA Funeral Director License preferred .

Responsibilities

Supports patients prior to death.
ASSISTS NURSING AND MEDICAL TEAMS WITH ALL ASPECTS OF POSTMORTEM CARE:
Works directly [in-person] with patients and families in complex and sensitive cases of fetal demise and perinatal loss.
Serves as a vital part of the patient care team, providing expert guidance to patients, family members and hospital staff.
Serves as primary point of contact for family and other associated parties during and after a patient’s death for all issues related to disposition/ funeral home releases.
Consults with Spiritual Care Services and refers families as needed for grief support and religious/cultural needs.
Works closely with families and hospital staff to ensure that the deceased’s unique preferences and cultural/religious practices are respected.
Obtains valid consent for autopsy and provides follow-up after the exam.
Collaborates with physicians, nursing staff, police, Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office, Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, Pathology Department, risk management, etc. to ensure timely disposition with the least liability to the hospital.
Handles the disposition of all fetal remains in cases where families elect for hospital disposition.
Manages patient transport teams following the death of a patient to transport patient to the morgue.
OVERSEES THE MORGUE AND PHYSICAL REMAINS:
Ensures that each deceased patient is properly identified and that all necessary documentation, such as death certificates and medical records, are accurately completed and maintained.
Ensures bodies are stored in temperature-controlled environments that preserve their integrity. Monitors the conditions of the remains and morgue to ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations.
FACILITATES AUTOPSIES AND ORGAN DONATION:
Acts as liaison between pathology departments, the autopsy team, and organ procurement teams such as Donor Network West to ensure their processes are completed with care, respecting the patient and families wishes, and legal requirements.
FACILITATES VIEWING OF DECEASED PATIENTS:
Prepares a body for viewing with the goal of ensuring that the deceased is presented in a dignified, respectful, and peaceful manner for their family and loved ones.
MAKES NEXT OF KIN DETERMINATION AND COMMUNICATES WITH FAMILIES:
Acts as the sole point of contact for families regarding the death of their loved one, next steps, and navigating complexities of funeral home selection.
Reviews all death cases and provides pertinent and clear information to the family of the deceased.
Provides consultation regarding autopsy, disposition, and social services.
For patients who have no listed next-of-kin or emergency contacts, conducts a thorough next of kin search, notifies families of patient deaths as needed, and if no family is located, refers to the county Public Administrator as appropriate.
CLERICAL FUNCTIONS:
Performs EDRS/ FDRS entry of death certificate records, ensuring accurate and timely completion.
Documents timely and accurate information to ensure complex case management.
Manages the complex and sensitive case processes and communicates pertinent information to the necessary stakeholders.
Acts as liaison between mortuaries and our hospitals.
Coordinates Release of Remains documentation, autopsy and Donor Network West holds.
Serves as the liaison with SOM Anatomical Gift Program and SHC Autopsy department and a decedent’s legal next-of-kin researchers concerning procurement of tissue and specimens solely based on opportunities for scientific research.
EDUCATION FUNCTIONS:
Coordinators are subject matter experts in cause of death and provide “just in time” education for physicians, nursing staff, and families at the time of a patient’s death.
Supports staff and families surrounding all aspects of inpatient deaths.