Post-Mortem Care Coordinator Decedent Affairs

• 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 patients 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 deceaseds 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-Coroners Office Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorders 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 decedents 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 patients death.

• Supports staff and families surrounding all aspects of inpatient deaths.

Education Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in a related field (preferred)

Experience Qualifications

• Minimum four (4) years of experience in healthcare or bereavement setting (required)

• Funeral home/mortuary/healthcare decedent care experience (preferred)

• Previous experience in patient satisfaction/customer service (preferred)

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• 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.

Licenses and Certifications

• LCSW - Lic Clinical Social Worker preferred .

• CAFD - CA Funeral Director License preferred .

These principles apply to ALL employees:

SHC Commitment to Providing an Exceptional Patient & Family Experience


Stanford Health Care sets a high standard for delivering value and an exceptional experience for our patients and families. Candidates for employment and existing employees must adopt and execute C-I-CARE standards for all of patients families and towards each other. C-I-CARE is the foundation of Stanfords patient-experience and represents a framework for patient-centered interactions. Simply put we do what it takes to enable and empower patients and families to focus on health healing and recovery.



You will do this by executing against our three experience pillars from the patient and familys perspective:

• Know Me: Anticipate my needs and status to deliver effective care

• Show Me the Way: Guide and prompt my actions to arrive at better outcomes and better health

• Coordinate for Me: Own the complexity of my care through coordination