Medical Examiner

Northampton General Hospital

This job is now closed

Job summary

The Medical Examiner (ME) system was introduced in 2019 by the Department of Health and Social Care in response to the recommendations of the Shipman Enquiry which called for reform of the death certification process. The role of the Medical Examiner is to promote robust and transparent scrutiny of the death certification process through independent review of clinical case notes and confirmation of cause of death in all patients. The service is now required to expand to include the review of all deaths in the local health community of West Northamptonshire - covering primary care and community and mental health Trusts.

Main duties of the job

The role requires knowledge and experience of the statutory process around death certification, legal frameworks and the relationship between the ME service and other related organisations including Coroner's office and Registration service.
scrutinise the clinical notes and certified causes of death offered by attending doctors in a way that is proportionate, consistent and compliant with the proposed national protocol;
discuss and explain the cause of death with the next of kin/informants in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner (predominantly conducted through telephone conversations);
maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis to provide information to the National Medical Examiner's office;
participate in relevant clinical governance activities relating to death certification including audits, mortality review processes and investigations regarding formal complaints about patient care;

About us

MEs will have professional independence in scrutinising deaths but will be accountable to the employing organisation's Board for achieving agreed standards or levels of performance.

MEs will have an independent professional line of accountability to a regional structure of NHS improvement /NHS England outside the employing organisation and immediate line management

Date posted

24 January 2022

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

Depending on experience dependent on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

265-3849604

Job locations

Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville

Northampton

NN1 5BD

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see job description and person specification attached for further information about the role and responsibilities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see job description and person specification attached for further information about the role and responsibilities.

Person Specification

education and training

Essential

Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant experience
Completed e learning ME core training and attend face to face training within 3 months

Desirable

Management qualification/post graduate diploma

knowledge and experience

Essential

Medical Practitioner registered and licensed to practise in the UK by the GMC
5 years since completion of specialist training
Knowledge of local and national governance systems and an understanding of how an ME can work collaboratively to improve patient safety by identifying suboptimal clinical and organisational performance
Knowledge of special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity

Desirable

Experience of dealing with the public and other organisations

skills

Essential

IT skills to include use of email and commonly used software
Ability to assimilate information quickly and summarise succinctly
Excellent verbal and written communications skills
Ability to manage conflict
Ability to identify and disseminate examples of good practice amongst colleagues
Ability to engage and motivate others
Able to establish effective working relationships

personal qualities and attributes

Essential

Effective team player, working effectively within own team and with other disciplines
Professional and approachable manner with ability to maintain professional integrity and independence at times when there is potential conflict of interest
Proactive and self-motivated with a flexible approach and ability to organise a fluctuating workload around competing priorities and interruptions
Calm under pressure and emotionally robust, able to manage own reactions in distressing circumstances and support others in the team
Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Strong interpersonal skills with ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism
Committed to lifelong learning and undertaking own personal and professional development

Person Specification

education and training

Essential

Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant experience
Completed e learning ME core training and attend face to face training within 3 months

Desirable

Management qualification/post graduate diploma

knowledge and experience

Essential

Medical Practitioner registered and licensed to practise in the UK by the GMC
5 years since completion of specialist training
Knowledge of local and national governance systems and an understanding of how an ME can work collaboratively to improve patient safety by identifying suboptimal clinical and organisational performance
Knowledge of special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity

Desirable

Experience of dealing with the public and other organisations

skills

Essential

IT skills to include use of email and commonly used software
Ability to assimilate information quickly and summarise succinctly
Excellent verbal and written communications skills
Ability to manage conflict
Ability to identify and disseminate examples of good practice amongst colleagues
Ability to engage and motivate others
Able to establish effective working relationships

personal qualities and attributes

Essential

Effective team player, working effectively within own team and with other disciplines
Professional and approachable manner with ability to maintain professional integrity and independence at times when there is potential conflict of interest
Proactive and self-motivated with a flexible approach and ability to organise a fluctuating workload around competing priorities and interruptions
Calm under pressure and emotionally robust, able to manage own reactions in distressing circumstances and support others in the team
Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Strong interpersonal skills with ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism
Committed to lifelong learning and undertaking own personal and professional development

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).