Job summary
The post holder is a key member of the Medical Examiner Service team, establishing the circumstance of individual patient deaths by performing a preliminary review of medical records to identify clinical and circumstantial information, sourcing additional details where required, for scrutiny by the Medical Examiner (ME).
The post holder will provide a professional and high-quality service at all times and be the point of contact and source of advice for relatives of the deceased patients, healthcare professionals, Coroner and registration services.
The post holder will work to the Medical Examiner Service Manager to ensure a robust Medical Examiner service is provided across all required sites.
The post holder is expected to act as a point of contact on death certification processes including Coroner referral criteria and advise others (e.g., junior doctors).
In addition to clinical knowledge/experience the post holder needs an enquiring mind to follow up areas of potential concern in a professional manner with a range of staff, including consultants and MEs
The post holder will be a key member of the management team and will undertake corporate roles and responsibilities in accordance with the grade and nature of the post.
Main duties of the job
To plan the day-to-day workload and to ensure the workload is carried out efficiently within the required timescales.
*To actively participate at Senior Management Team meetings and be part of strategic and organisation plans in order to deliver services within recognised frameworks to ensure a fully coordinated and supportive administrative team for the service/department.
*To maintain confidentiality and manage information sensitively, demonstrate discretion and respect when communicating with patients, colleagues and others.
*To deal with complex information and ensure team members are aware of any issues.
*To have day-to-day management responsibilities for the MEO administration team including sickness absence, appraisals, training and development, etc.
*To generate and update statistical and management information including reports as and when required.
*Co-operate in the introduction of new technology and new working practices to ensure the smooth running of the department.
*To implement KPI monitoring processes and work to continually improve performance against these.
*To ensure protocols and guidelines are developed and adhered to.
*To be able to identify risks within the department and escalate as appropriate.
*To work with the MEs, ensuring that all obtainable information is made available to allow timely and proportionate scrutiny of medical records.
*To participate in the development of support staff by providing mentoring, training and support.
About us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*
Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- *Degree or equivalent experience
- *Completion of the RCPath (MEO Training
- *Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
- *Clinical or Scientific Professional Qualification
Experience
Essential
- *Significant experience working in a relevant discipline within the NHS
- *Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations
- *Proven track record of problem solving and managing a team of staff
- *Experience of managing diaries using own judgement when dealing with conflicting appointments and priorities
- *Experience of working in a busy environment working independently and exercising judgment and decision making skills
Desirable
- *Clinical or scientific experience Experience of using Trust IT systems
Additional Criteria
Essential
- *IT Skills ( MS outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint
- *Ability to work and manage a team across multiple sites.
- *Excellent written communication skills and able to write clearly and concisely, producing papers and reports for senior internal and external audiences
- *Ability to prioritise tasks, work to, and set deadlines and function effectively under pressure with competing demands
- *Organisation and coordination of meetings including the transcribing of minutes
- *Effective decision making
- *Excellent oral communication, presentation and negotiating skills
- *The ability to work under pressure whilst meeting deadlines and adapt to changes in demand and work load.
- *Good time management skills
- *Ability to deal professionally with enquiries from staff, Patients and Visitors
- *Confidentiality and tact necessary for dealing with
- *people at all levels, and complex and sensitive information
- *Ability to pay attention to detail where there are predictable interruptions to the work pattern
- *Ability to deal with stressful situations and sensitive issues
- *Understanding of medical terminology that enables informed discussion regarding cause/circumstances of death with bereaved families/carers, clinicians, coroner and registration service staff.
- *Clinical knowledge to a level that includes understanding clinical tests and results.
- *Knowledge of the statutory process around death certification and legal frameworks including how the ME process aligns with other organisations and NHS initiatives.
- *Knowledge of various faith groups' funeral practices to enable respectful compliance with specific timescale and wishes.
- *Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009.
- *Knowledge of the Coronavirus Act 2020.
- *Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism with all contacts.
- *Approachable and supportive to all levels of staff and bereaved families in a non-judgemental and discreet manner.
- *Work effectively and flexibly as part of a team to meet the needs of the services
- *Confident in dealing with people at all levels
- *Must be able to demonstrate an understanding of equality and diversity
- *Open and flexible approach to work
- *Demonstrates care and compassion
- *Good organisational skills
- *Team Player
- *Conscientious
- *Demonstrates reliability, motivation and commitment
- *Flexible and able to travel to work on any of the UHB hospital sites
- *Willing to work and travel across all Trust sites as required by job role
Desirable
- *IT Skills PICS, Portal, concerto
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- *Degree or equivalent experience
- *Completion of the RCPath (MEO Training
- *Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
- *Clinical or Scientific Professional Qualification
Experience
Essential
- *Significant experience working in a relevant discipline within the NHS
- *Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations
- *Proven track record of problem solving and managing a team of staff
- *Experience of managing diaries using own judgement when dealing with conflicting appointments and priorities
- *Experience of working in a busy environment working independently and exercising judgment and decision making skills
Desirable
- *Clinical or scientific experience Experience of using Trust IT systems
Additional Criteria
Essential
- *IT Skills ( MS outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint
- *Ability to work and manage a team across multiple sites.
- *Excellent written communication skills and able to write clearly and concisely, producing papers and reports for senior internal and external audiences
- *Ability to prioritise tasks, work to, and set deadlines and function effectively under pressure with competing demands
- *Organisation and coordination of meetings including the transcribing of minutes
- *Effective decision making
- *Excellent oral communication, presentation and negotiating skills
- *The ability to work under pressure whilst meeting deadlines and adapt to changes in demand and work load.
- *Good time management skills
- *Ability to deal professionally with enquiries from staff, Patients and Visitors
- *Confidentiality and tact necessary for dealing with
- *people at all levels, and complex and sensitive information
- *Ability to pay attention to detail where there are predictable interruptions to the work pattern
- *Ability to deal with stressful situations and sensitive issues
- *Understanding of medical terminology that enables informed discussion regarding cause/circumstances of death with bereaved families/carers, clinicians, coroner and registration service staff.
- *Clinical knowledge to a level that includes understanding clinical tests and results.
- *Knowledge of the statutory process around death certification and legal frameworks including how the ME process aligns with other organisations and NHS initiatives.
- *Knowledge of various faith groups' funeral practices to enable respectful compliance with specific timescale and wishes.
- *Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009.
- *Knowledge of the Coronavirus Act 2020.
- *Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism with all contacts.
- *Approachable and supportive to all levels of staff and bereaved families in a non-judgemental and discreet manner.
- *Work effectively and flexibly as part of a team to meet the needs of the services
- *Confident in dealing with people at all levels
- *Must be able to demonstrate an understanding of equality and diversity
- *Open and flexible approach to work
- *Demonstrates care and compassion
- *Good organisational skills
- *Team Player
- *Conscientious
- *Demonstrates reliability, motivation and commitment
- *Flexible and able to travel to work on any of the UHB hospital sites
- *Willing to work and travel across all Trust sites as required by job role
Desirable
- *IT Skills PICS, Portal, concerto
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
