Job summary
Passionate about people, detail conscious and a good communicator, with leadership skills?
A Medical Examiner System has been introduced across England and Wales to improve the process of death certification and engage with the family of the deceased.
Do you want to be part of a soon-to-be statutory service, to make it fully functional and great?
The role of Medical Examiner Officer involves working closely with the Medical Examiners to support the delivery of this service. As the lead you will help shape the service and support the developing team to it's full potential.
You will ensure appropriate scrutiny of health records, help demystify death for families, and enable families to have a voice and ensure their understanding.
You will foster engagement and lead with a strong ethic for getting things right for all parties and take forward learning for the organisations involved in the care.
We offer opportunities to develop within a supportive environment and be part of a National initiative.
Main duties of the job
Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.
For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the 'Job Description and Main Responsibilities' section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.
About us
As one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on-site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed during the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The medical examiner service operates within the parameters of national and local policy and guidance
Under the direction of the Head of Patient & Family Relations, will lead the development of the service and its functions
Review the performance of staff and ensure continued development and training
To ensure the medical examiner officers support medical examiners in their role of scrutinising the circumstances and causes of death
To be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals, and Coroner and registration services
Lead and manage the MEO team and coordinate the ME service to ensure the timely and efficient completion of certification processes required after a death
Good communicator, passionate about people, process-driven, resilient, and professional.
Monday to Friday core hoursBased on the site @UHS
Job description
Job responsibilities
The medical examiner service operates within the parameters of national and local policy and guidance
Under the direction of the Head of Patient & Family Relations, will lead the development of the service and its functions
Review the performance of staff and ensure continued development and training
To ensure the medical examiner officers support medical examiners in their role of scrutinising the circumstances and causes of death
To be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals, and Coroner and registration services
Lead and manage the MEO team and coordinate the ME service to ensure the timely and efficient completion of certification processes required after a death
Good communicator, passionate about people, process-driven, resilient, and professional.
Monday to Friday core hoursBased on the site @UHS
Person Specification
Qualifications / training required
Essential
- Degree or equivalent relevant knowledge
- A commitment to the concept of lifelong learning and undertaking personal development opportunities
- Completed e-LfH MEO training (or in progress)
- Leadership or management qualification or equivalent relevant experience
Desirable
- Advanced communication skills certificate or equivalent
Previous or relevant experience necessary
Essential
- Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations
- Leading and influencing teams to achieve objectives
- Experience of managing sensitive /challenging conversations
- Experience of training/supervising other staff
- Knowledge of the Coroner's and Justice Act 2009 in reference to the ME system
- Good understanding of the ME function and operational remit
- Competent with IT software systems including Word and Excel
- Sound knowledge of clinical / medical terminology that enables informed discussion about causes/circumstances of death
Desirable
- Knowledge of various faith groups' funeral wishes/practices to enable respectful compliance with tight and specific timescales and procedures
- Experience of managing and implementing change
- Relevant experience of the workings of a Medical Examiner's Office
- Previous leadership experience
- Relevant experience working in a healthcare setting with multidisciplinary teams across organisational boundaries
Values and behaviours
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Person Specification
Qualifications / training required
Essential
- Degree or equivalent relevant knowledge
- A commitment to the concept of lifelong learning and undertaking personal development opportunities
- Completed e-LfH MEO training (or in progress)
- Leadership or management qualification or equivalent relevant experience
Desirable
- Advanced communication skills certificate or equivalent
Previous or relevant experience necessary
Essential
- Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations
- Leading and influencing teams to achieve objectives
- Experience of managing sensitive /challenging conversations
- Experience of training/supervising other staff
- Knowledge of the Coroner's and Justice Act 2009 in reference to the ME system
- Good understanding of the ME function and operational remit
- Competent with IT software systems including Word and Excel
- Sound knowledge of clinical / medical terminology that enables informed discussion about causes/circumstances of death
Desirable
- Knowledge of various faith groups' funeral wishes/practices to enable respectful compliance with tight and specific timescales and procedures
- Experience of managing and implementing change
- Relevant experience of the workings of a Medical Examiner's Office
- Previous leadership experience
- Relevant experience working in a healthcare setting with multidisciplinary teams across organisational boundaries
Values and behaviours
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
