Job summary
An exciting new opportunity has arisen to work within Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust as we expand the implementation and roll-out of the Medical Examiner (ME) System across Scunthorpe General Hospital.
Learning from deaths and reducing variation in death certification are key enablers to improving safety and quality, and reducing mortality and improving patient experience are priorities for the Trust.
For this reason, we have established the Medical Examiner Office to lead the way in improving our ability to understand why patients die and to ensure that, where indicated, cases are reviewed to identify and share best practice and learning.
The Medical Examiner Office so far comprises of a trust-wide Lead Medical Examiner (appointed Oct 2020), as well as two Medical Examiner Officers (appointed Jan 2021) and four Medical Examiners ( appointed June 2021). The Lead Medical Examiner is now looking to expand the team and appoint a further four Medical Examiners (1 PA each). Together the team will combine skills, compassion and sensitivity, as well as a commitment to engage with bereaved families, in order to complete a screen of every in-hospital death (expanding to out of hospital/community from April 2022) and answer the specific questions: 'Why did the patient die?" and 'What can we learn from it?'
Main duties of the job
The Medical Examiners will be expected to screen and review deaths to an agreed policy and time frame, liaise with the Coroner to develop a robust process for referrals which minimises delays to bereaved families, whilst enabling further investigations in line with patient safety and governance processes as appropriate.
The job description and person specification attached are modelled from the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath), in line with a national requirement to develop a method for reducing inaccuracies in death certificates and achieving greater confidence in learning from deaths.
These roles have been created by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in response to observations made in the Third Report of the Shipman Inquiry. The introduction of the ME system has supported to promote robust, transparent and independent scrutiny of death certification processes for all non-coronial deaths.
The roles involve a discussion with the doctor completing the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), review of the medical records, consideration of the care the patient had received during their final admission, and liaison with family members of the deceased.
About us
We're a large organisation with three hospitals located in Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole. We also provide community services in North Lincolnshire. Our 6,500 members of staff care for and support a population of more than 400,000 people.
We encourage all our staff to innovate and adopt 'best practice' so we can deliver excellent care to our patients. We ask staff to live our values; kindness, courage and respect.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. You could be one of them.
To learn more about Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, and discover the unique benefits on offer to employees, view our latest videos, plus more, please visit our recruitment website at https://joinnlag.co.uk/
Should we receive a high volume of applications for this vacancy, the advert may be closed earlier than stated. To view a full job description and person specification please see attachments on this advert.
In line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Recruitment & Workforce team will use and hold your personal data for the intended purpose and in line with the Recruitment & Workforce Privacy Statement.
"We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children/vulnerable adults and expect the same commitment from all staff and volunteers".
Please be aware that all newemployees starting work with us will be charged for the cost of their DBS check, if it is required for their role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Lead ME and their team of MEs also consider whether cases need to be referred back for further internal review by way of Structured Judgement Review, or Serious Incident (SI) investigation where appropriate. These will be performed by clinical colleagues across divisions / specialties as appropriate.
If the body is to be cremated, then the ME would have also completed Part 2 of the cremation form (currently not used, whilst we await further National steer) with this fee coming directly into the Trust rather than individual clinicians. The Medical Examiners posts are line managed by the Trust's Lead Medical Examiner, with accountability links to Regional Medical Examiner Office. There may be occasional times where MEs support with Lead ME cover in instances of leave etc.
We invite applications from suitably qualified clinicians who are naturally curious, data-friendly and ready to support the Lead ME further develop our understanding of the impact of the care we provide. We will provide you with the provision of resources to include an office base/hot desk and administrative support for running the service via the Medical Examiner Officers.
We are really excited by this development to exapnd the team and the Lead ME hopes to recruit MEs who are too, so that together, guided by clinical skill and ability to demonstrate our core values at all times, we can make a real difference.
Currently the Trust aims to provide a 5 day/week ME service i.e. Monday Friday via the already appointed Lead ME (4 PAs) and a further four MEs (at 1 PA each) who would each cover sessions throughout the week. However, the Lead ME will be organising coverage across the week to cater for the workload, which may vary.
A training package consisting of 26 modules has been produced by the Royal College of Pathologists, which will be mandatory for anyone wishing to take up the role before appointment. This would usually be followed by a one day, face-to-face training day which requires completion within 6 months of appointment into the role, although there are likely alternative arrangements during this current time.
Any appointment will be offered for 3 years in the first instance.
You are invited to apply if you:
- Have at least 5 years experience as a fully registered medicalpractitioner
- Are currently practicing either in primary or secondary care, or have retired in the last 5 years
- Currently hold a Licence to Practice with the GMC
- Capacity to undertake the role within your job plan
In addition you will need to demonstrate:
- Up to date knowledge of medical conditions, treatments and causes of death
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and processes
- Knowledge of local and national clinical governance systems
- Strong communication skills that enable you to deliver the role in a compassionate, professional and discreet manner.
- Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team
We are committed to creating and maintaining a fair and supportive working environment and culture, where contributions are fully recognised and valued by all and staff feel empowered to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities. As employers we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and well-being of all our staff. This underpins our values as set out in the NHS Constitution, supports us to be an Employer of Choice and ultimately enables our employees to support the effective care of our patients.
We strongly value the different perspectives and ideas a diverse workforce brings to deliver better outcomes for our patients. We welcome applications irrespective of peoples age, disability, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Lead ME and their team of MEs also consider whether cases need to be referred back for further internal review by way of Structured Judgement Review, or Serious Incident (SI) investigation where appropriate. These will be performed by clinical colleagues across divisions / specialties as appropriate.
If the body is to be cremated, then the ME would have also completed Part 2 of the cremation form (currently not used, whilst we await further National steer) with this fee coming directly into the Trust rather than individual clinicians. The Medical Examiners posts are line managed by the Trust's Lead Medical Examiner, with accountability links to Regional Medical Examiner Office. There may be occasional times where MEs support with Lead ME cover in instances of leave etc.
We invite applications from suitably qualified clinicians who are naturally curious, data-friendly and ready to support the Lead ME further develop our understanding of the impact of the care we provide. We will provide you with the provision of resources to include an office base/hot desk and administrative support for running the service via the Medical Examiner Officers.
We are really excited by this development to exapnd the team and the Lead ME hopes to recruit MEs who are too, so that together, guided by clinical skill and ability to demonstrate our core values at all times, we can make a real difference.
Currently the Trust aims to provide a 5 day/week ME service i.e. Monday Friday via the already appointed Lead ME (4 PAs) and a further four MEs (at 1 PA each) who would each cover sessions throughout the week. However, the Lead ME will be organising coverage across the week to cater for the workload, which may vary.
A training package consisting of 26 modules has been produced by the Royal College of Pathologists, which will be mandatory for anyone wishing to take up the role before appointment. This would usually be followed by a one day, face-to-face training day which requires completion within 6 months of appointment into the role, although there are likely alternative arrangements during this current time.
Any appointment will be offered for 3 years in the first instance.
You are invited to apply if you:
- Have at least 5 years experience as a fully registered medicalpractitioner
- Are currently practicing either in primary or secondary care, or have retired in the last 5 years
- Currently hold a Licence to Practice with the GMC
- Capacity to undertake the role within your job plan
In addition you will need to demonstrate:
- Up to date knowledge of medical conditions, treatments and causes of death
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and processes
- Knowledge of local and national clinical governance systems
- Strong communication skills that enable you to deliver the role in a compassionate, professional and discreet manner.
- Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team
We are committed to creating and maintaining a fair and supportive working environment and culture, where contributions are fully recognised and valued by all and staff feel empowered to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities. As employers we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and well-being of all our staff. This underpins our values as set out in the NHS Constitution, supports us to be an Employer of Choice and ultimately enables our employees to support the effective care of our patients.
We strongly value the different perspectives and ideas a diverse workforce brings to deliver better outcomes for our patients. We welcome applications irrespective of peoples age, disability, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Skills & Performance
Essential
- Medical practitioner registered and licensed to practice in the UK by the GMC, with at least five years' experience.
- Working knowledge of practice in a healthcare environment, preferably in the UK
- Candidate will have successfully completed the approved 26 components of the national on-line training as well as the face to face component of the national training curriculum within 6 months.
- Up to date knowledge of clinical causes of death, together with death certification requirements and processes.
- Commitment to maintain knowledge and keep skills up to date
Desirable
- Knowledge of legal framework and relevant jurisdiction relating to the process of death certification.
Quality & Safety
Essential
- Knowledge of clinical governance systems and the effect on the work of professionals and the organisation
Communication, Partnership & Teamwork
Essential
- Good organisational and leadership skills
- Good management skills - able to demonstrate effective and efficient working practices
Maintaining Trust
Essential
- Awareness of equality and diversity issues within the community and a demonstrable ability to understand the requirements of diverse faith groups
Person Specification
Knowledge, Skills & Performance
Essential
- Medical practitioner registered and licensed to practice in the UK by the GMC, with at least five years' experience.
- Working knowledge of practice in a healthcare environment, preferably in the UK
- Candidate will have successfully completed the approved 26 components of the national on-line training as well as the face to face component of the national training curriculum within 6 months.
- Up to date knowledge of clinical causes of death, together with death certification requirements and processes.
- Commitment to maintain knowledge and keep skills up to date
Desirable
- Knowledge of legal framework and relevant jurisdiction relating to the process of death certification.
Quality & Safety
Essential
- Knowledge of clinical governance systems and the effect on the work of professionals and the organisation
Communication, Partnership & Teamwork
Essential
- Good organisational and leadership skills
- Good management skills - able to demonstrate effective and efficient working practices
Maintaining Trust
Essential
- Awareness of equality and diversity issues within the community and a demonstrable ability to understand the requirements of diverse faith groups
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
