Job summary
We are pleased to announce an opportunity to join the Medical Examiner team, based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, providing a Medical Examiner service covering the Gateshead hospital and community area.
There are 2 vacancies:-
Post 1 - will be for 1 PA (4 hours) predominantly delivered on Monday afternoons, with the proviso of some flexibility to cover service requirements due to annual leave.
Post 2 - will be for 1 PA (4 hours) predominantly delivered on Friday afternoons, with the proviso of some flexibility to cover service requirements due to annual leave.
In the near future, there will also be a weekend rota for MEs to be available for 2 hours on weekend mornings, working from home, to discuss any rapid release of body requests. This is not included within the 1PA session, and will be paid as extended hours working.
These posts are open to doctors from any specialty or clinical background, whether working in hospital, community or elsewhere, who have a minimum of 5 years of post GMC registration clinical experience, and specialty qualifications. Training is provided via the Royal College of Pathologists following appointment.
The Medical Examiner service has been running at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital since September 2020, 5 days a week, excluding Bank Holidays, scrutinising all in-hospital deaths, rolling out to include community deaths, and is now looking to recruit two medical examiners due to vacancies.
Main duties of the job
The Medical Examiner role will appeal to doctors who are passionate about quality improvement, learning from events, improving care for patients and experiences for relatives, and supporting junior doctors in training. It requires a broad knowledge of medicine, good analytical and IT skills, and integrity.
- Support those doctors who call for medical advice on suspected natural causes of death before they prepare an MCCD, and provide general medical advice to the coroner;
- Scrutinise the certified causes of all in-scope deaths in a way that is compliant with the proposed national protocol;
- Maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis and provide information as required to ONS & locally for clinical governance purposes;
- Work with the other medical examiners in the QEH ME office to arrange reciprocal cover for holidays and other periods of absence and also to ensure that there is no potential conflict of interest between the medical examiner and the death being scrutinised;
- Explain to bereaved relatives the cause of death in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner which respects different faith, cultural, ethnic and diversity considerations;
- Support the training of junior doctors in completion of MCCDs and provide feedback on accuracy of certification locally if required.
About us
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.
Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.
We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.
Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.
We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.
The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB PLAN
These posts are open to doctors from any specialty or clinical background, who have a minimum of 5 years (or whole time equivalent) of post GMC registration clinical experience, and specialty qualifications. Training is provided via the Royal College of Pathologists following appointment. The Medical Examiner service consists currently of a Lead Medical Examiner, 6 Medical Examiners, and four Medical Examiner Officers. New Medical Examiners will be supported by the Lead Medical Examiner.
The Medical Examiner role will appeal to doctors who are passionate about quality improvement, learning from events, improving care for patients and experiences for relatives, and supporting junior doctors in training. It requires a broad knowledge of medicine, good analytical and IT skills, and integrity.
Main duties:
Applicants must be registered with a license to practise in the UK by the GMC, with at least five years of post-registration whole time experience of practice. The candidate must have been registered as a medical practitioner throughout the previous five years as at the date of appointment.
The main responsibilities of the ME are to:-
- ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current processes of certification, investigation (by coroners) and registration of deaths within the Local Authority area;
- support those doctors who call for medical advice on suspected natural causes of death before they prepare an MCCD, and provide general medical advice to the coroner;
- scrutinise the certified causes of all in-scope deaths in a way that is compliant with the proposed national protocol;
- maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis and provide information as required to ONS & locally for clinical governance purposes;
- work with the other medical examiners in the QEH ME office to arrange reciprocal cover for holidays and other periods of absence and also to ensure that there is no potential conflict of interest between the medical examiner and the death being scrutinised; a minimum of 42 sessions a year should be delivered for a 1 PA post, which allows time for annual leave, professional and study leave;
- explain to bereaved relatives the cause of death in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner which respects different faith, cultural, ethnic and diversity considerations;
- Support the training of junior doctors in completion of MCCDs and provide feedback on accuracy of certification locally if required;
- There will also be an expectation, in the near future, to be part of a weekend rota. MEs will need to be available for 2 hours, in the morning, on weekends and bank holidays. This will involve working from home, to discuss any rapid release of body requests. This is not included within the current sessions, and will be paid as extended hours working.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB PLAN
These posts are open to doctors from any specialty or clinical background, who have a minimum of 5 years (or whole time equivalent) of post GMC registration clinical experience, and specialty qualifications. Training is provided via the Royal College of Pathologists following appointment. The Medical Examiner service consists currently of a Lead Medical Examiner, 6 Medical Examiners, and four Medical Examiner Officers. New Medical Examiners will be supported by the Lead Medical Examiner.
The Medical Examiner role will appeal to doctors who are passionate about quality improvement, learning from events, improving care for patients and experiences for relatives, and supporting junior doctors in training. It requires a broad knowledge of medicine, good analytical and IT skills, and integrity.
Main duties:
Applicants must be registered with a license to practise in the UK by the GMC, with at least five years of post-registration whole time experience of practice. The candidate must have been registered as a medical practitioner throughout the previous five years as at the date of appointment.
The main responsibilities of the ME are to:-
- ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current processes of certification, investigation (by coroners) and registration of deaths within the Local Authority area;
- support those doctors who call for medical advice on suspected natural causes of death before they prepare an MCCD, and provide general medical advice to the coroner;
- scrutinise the certified causes of all in-scope deaths in a way that is compliant with the proposed national protocol;
- maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis and provide information as required to ONS & locally for clinical governance purposes;
- work with the other medical examiners in the QEH ME office to arrange reciprocal cover for holidays and other periods of absence and also to ensure that there is no potential conflict of interest between the medical examiner and the death being scrutinised; a minimum of 42 sessions a year should be delivered for a 1 PA post, which allows time for annual leave, professional and study leave;
- explain to bereaved relatives the cause of death in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner which respects different faith, cultural, ethnic and diversity considerations;
- Support the training of junior doctors in completion of MCCDs and provide feedback on accuracy of certification locally if required;
- There will also be an expectation, in the near future, to be part of a weekend rota. MEs will need to be available for 2 hours, in the morning, on weekends and bank holidays. This will involve working from home, to discuss any rapid release of body requests. This is not included within the current sessions, and will be paid as extended hours working.
Person Specification
Professional Qualifications
Essential
- Full GMC registration with a licence to practice in the UK with at least 5 years' experience (whole time equivalent).
- The candidate must have been registered with the GMC as a medical practitioner throughout the previous five years as at the date of appointment.
Desirable
- Inclusion on the Specialist or General Practice register
- Post graduate qualifications
- Membership of relevant Colleges
Professional Training
Essential
- Royal college (or equivalent)
Desirable
- Completion of E-learning for Healthcare Medical Examiner modules.
Clinical Experience
Essential
- 5 years whole time equivalent of working in clinical practice in the UK post GMC registration
- Up to date broad medical knowledge
Organisation and Management
Essential
- Track-record of good IT skills, the ability to use digital information systems.
- Track-record of good analytical skills to assimilate information from multiple sources in a timely manner
Teaching
Essential
- Evidence of formal and informal contributions to teaching and training
Desirable
- Experience of supervision of trainees in medical training programmes
Clinical Governance and Audit
Essential
- Evidence of participation in quality improvement activity
Desirable
- Experience of using mortality reviews or clinical incident / datix
Communication Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate clearly and empathically with bereaved families in a way they will understand
- Ability to communicate clearly (spoken and electronic) with colleagues, attending doctors and other relevant contacts
Person Specification
Professional Qualifications
Essential
- Full GMC registration with a licence to practice in the UK with at least 5 years' experience (whole time equivalent).
- The candidate must have been registered with the GMC as a medical practitioner throughout the previous five years as at the date of appointment.
Desirable
- Inclusion on the Specialist or General Practice register
- Post graduate qualifications
- Membership of relevant Colleges
Professional Training
Essential
- Royal college (or equivalent)
Desirable
- Completion of E-learning for Healthcare Medical Examiner modules.
Clinical Experience
Essential
- 5 years whole time equivalent of working in clinical practice in the UK post GMC registration
- Up to date broad medical knowledge
Organisation and Management
Essential
- Track-record of good IT skills, the ability to use digital information systems.
- Track-record of good analytical skills to assimilate information from multiple sources in a timely manner
Teaching
Essential
- Evidence of formal and informal contributions to teaching and training
Desirable
- Experience of supervision of trainees in medical training programmes
Clinical Governance and Audit
Essential
- Evidence of participation in quality improvement activity
Desirable
- Experience of using mortality reviews or clinical incident / datix
Communication Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate clearly and empathically with bereaved families in a way they will understand
- Ability to communicate clearly (spoken and electronic) with colleagues, attending doctors and other relevant contacts
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
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).
