Job summary
Following the successful implementation of the Medical Examiner System at the Trust, we are now looking to expand, to include scrutiny of community deaths, prior to this becoming a statutory requirement.
The Trusts Medical Examiner team was established in 2019. During the following 18 months the team grew in numbers and by August 2021 had reached their target of scrutiny of 100% of all adult in hospital deaths. This was a huge achievement during such unprecedented times. We are looking to appoint at least 8 more Medical Examiners to join the team on a minimum of 1PA (4 hours) sessional basis to help with the community deaths. These roles will be based at Pilgrim and Lincoln sites.
Main duties of the job
Medical examiners perform a scrutiny of the notes of all deceased patients, they discuss the proposed cause of death with the team and they explain the cause of death to the bereaved families and ascertain if there are any family concerns. Medical Examiners can also help to identify whether a case requires referral to the Coroners Office.
Medical Examiners will be expected to share full information to inform mortality reviews and clinical governance systems to support the learning from deaths process.
One of the strengths of the Medical Examiner system is the increased engagement with bereaved families identifying potential areas of concern in terms of care delivered at the outset.
About us
What's the hospital like?
Pilgrim Hospital is situated beautiful countryside and serves the communities in the South Lincolnshire area. It provides all major specialties and a 24-hour major accident and emergency service.
Grantham and District Hospital serves the communities of Grantham and the local area. It provides ambulatory paediatric and accident and emergency services.
Lincoln Hospital is a thriving university city and with the opening of the new medical school, It provides all major specialties and a 24-hour major accident and emergency service
If you want to make a difference and be part of something new and exciting then we would love to hear from you so, what are you waiting for?!
"Excellence in rural healthcare", delivered by people who put patients at the heart of everything they do
One Trust,Endless opportunities
Job description
Job responsibilities
Ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current processes of certification, investigation (by coroners) and registration of deaths within a Local Authority area;Support those doctors who call for medical advice on suspected natural causes of death before they prepare an Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), and provide general medical advice to the coroner;Complete the initial review as required by the National Guidance on Learning from Deaths.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 locally for clinical governance purposes and referring, where appropriate, to MorALS, Lincolnshire Mortality Collaborative and Risk Management (for investigation as Serious Incident).Work with other medical examiner(s) 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;Contact bereaved people by telephone as soon as possible after the medical certificate is completed to explain cause of death in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner, which respects different faith, cultural, ethnic and diversity considerationsDevelop and improve training materials and sessions for Medical Examiners in ULHTLead training and development of Medical examiners in ULHTLiaise with Medical Director/Associate Medical Director as required to ensure ongoing development and improvement of completion of Medical Certificate of Cause of Death[NOTE: the above list of duties is not exhaustive}
Job description
Job responsibilities
Ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current processes of certification, investigation (by coroners) and registration of deaths within a Local Authority area;Support those doctors who call for medical advice on suspected natural causes of death before they prepare an Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), and provide general medical advice to the coroner;Complete the initial review as required by the National Guidance on Learning from Deaths.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 locally for clinical governance purposes and referring, where appropriate, to MorALS, Lincolnshire Mortality Collaborative and Risk Management (for investigation as Serious Incident).Work with other medical examiner(s) 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;Contact bereaved people by telephone as soon as possible after the medical certificate is completed to explain cause of death in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner, which respects different faith, cultural, ethnic and diversity considerationsDevelop and improve training materials and sessions for Medical Examiners in ULHTLead training and development of Medical examiners in ULHTLiaise with Medical Director/Associate Medical Director as required to ensure ongoing development and improvement of completion of Medical Certificate of Cause of Death[NOTE: the above list of duties is not exhaustive}
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered licence to practice in the UK by the GMC
- Evidence of recent on-going personal portfolio
- Minimum of five years' experience at consultant level.
- Experience of undertaking clinical case note reviews as part of Mortality and Morbidity or Serious Incident process
Skills
Essential
- Up to date knowledge of clinical causes of death, together with death certification requirements and processes
- Ability to distinguish between natural and unnatural causes of death and when death must be reported to, and investigated by, a coroner
- Ability to analyse complex clinical issues/problems, identify solutions and necessary actions
- Ability to communicate effectively and with sensitivity with the relatives or representatives of the deceased when explaining the cause of death and to communicate with the bereaved of all faiths and communities in a sensitive and understanding manner.
Desirable
- Detailed knowledge of the relevant legislation and processes which apply to: coroners; registering deaths; cremations and burials
Experience
Essential
- Able to work to tight deadlines when managing workload of self or motivating others
- Highly developed computer skills over a range of Microsoft packages and organisational software
- Ability to travel between work sites when required
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered licence to practice in the UK by the GMC
- Evidence of recent on-going personal portfolio
- Minimum of five years' experience at consultant level.
- Experience of undertaking clinical case note reviews as part of Mortality and Morbidity or Serious Incident process
Skills
Essential
- Up to date knowledge of clinical causes of death, together with death certification requirements and processes
- Ability to distinguish between natural and unnatural causes of death and when death must be reported to, and investigated by, a coroner
- Ability to analyse complex clinical issues/problems, identify solutions and necessary actions
- Ability to communicate effectively and with sensitivity with the relatives or representatives of the deceased when explaining the cause of death and to communicate with the bereaved of all faiths and communities in a sensitive and understanding manner.
Desirable
- Detailed knowledge of the relevant legislation and processes which apply to: coroners; registering deaths; cremations and burials
Experience
Essential
- Able to work to tight deadlines when managing workload of self or motivating others
- Highly developed computer skills over a range of Microsoft packages and organisational software
- Ability to travel between work sites when required
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
