Job summary
We are looking to recruit and train practising LLR GPs and UHL Consultants (with 5 year's experience) or recently retired (within previous 12 months) to join our LLR Medical Examiner service, preferably doctors with experience in primary care.
Before applying for this post you should:-
- Arrange a visit to the ME Office either at the LRI or Glenfield to get a good understanding of what is involved in the role
- Clarify that this role will be acceptable as part of your Job Plan with your Head of Service/GP Lead;
- Be aware that Interviews will be held on Wednesday, 6thMarch 2024
- Start the National Online ME training before attending for interview, (if short listed):
- This is a new and rewarding form of medical work.Information about the role and the training required is available athttps://www.rcpath.org/profession/medical-examiners.html
You will be joining an experienced team of senior doctors which already includes six GPs. The national training programme will be supplemented by local support and mentoring. Work will initially be based in the ME office at Leicester Royal Infirmary or Glenfield Hospital. Participation in an out of hours rota will be voluntary.
Our medical examiners all work part-time, with variable commitments but typically an average of one day per fortnight. The pattern of work can be adjusted by mutual agreement on an individual basis to ensure there is a Medical Examiner at either the Glenfield or LRI office between 8:30 and 5:30 Monday to Fridays (excluding bank holidays).
From April 2024, all deaths not investigated by a Coroner will have to be scrutinised by a Medical Examiner. The aim is to facilitate the 'Learning from Deaths' programme, in addition to improving the quality of death certification and Coroner referral. A Medical Examiner process was established within the University Hospitals of Leicester in 2016 and has been very well received. Extending this process to cover all deaths in Leicestershire and Rutland will approximately double the number of deaths scrutinised.
Main duties of the job
You will be joining an experienced team of senior doctors which already includes six GPs and ten hospital Consultants plus Medical Examiner Officers who will work closely with you to provide a high quality service
The post holder will be a strong team player with excellent communication and teaching skills
Medical Examiner scrutiny includes reviewing and/or discussing proposed causes of death by certifying doctors speaking to bereaved relatives and proportionate review of hospital and primary care clinical records (electronic and paper).
The LLR MEs will be appropriately trained, experienced doctors who will undertake scrutiny of deaths in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, initially to both determine whether an MCCD can be issued or referral to the Coroner is indicated and to identify potential learning for feeding back to clinical teams or further more detail review is require.
About us
Our new strategy, 'Leading in healthcare, trusted in communities' was developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners and is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).
We have four primary goals:
- high-quality care for all,
- being a great place to work,
- partnerships for impact, and
- research and education excellence
And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
- we are compassionate,
- we are proud,
- we are inclusive, and
- we are one team
This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Be able to distinguish between natural and unnatural causes of death and to decide where a death must be reported to a coroner. Additionally, the post holder must have detailed knowledge of the relevant legislation and processes which apply to:
- Coroners and death certification;
- deaths abroad where bodies are returned to England and Wales for disposal;
- deaths where relatives wish to transport the body abroad for disposal;
- certifying and registering deaths; and the regulations to authorise cremation or stillbirths abroad;
In relevant cases the ME will agree with the Attending Practitioner (AP) the most appropriate way to complete the medical certificate of the cause of death (MCCD).
Speak to the bereaved to explain / respond to questions about the cause of death and also to provide an opportunity for the bereaved to ask questions or raise any concerns about care provided to the deceased.
The ME will also undertake proportionate scrutiny of the deceaseds clinical records in order to identify those deaths which would benefit from further review by the relevant mortality review process (or other appropriate agency) to take forward associated learning and quality improvement actions.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:-
Lead Medical Examiner and Head of Learning from Deaths
- Other Medical Examiners
- Medical Examiner Officers
- Bereavement Services
- Bereavement Nurses
- General Practitioners and UHL/LPT Consultants
- UHL Medical Staff
- Coroner and Coroners Officers
- Registrars (of Births, Marriages and Deaths)
Job description
Job responsibilities
Be able to distinguish between natural and unnatural causes of death and to decide where a death must be reported to a coroner. Additionally, the post holder must have detailed knowledge of the relevant legislation and processes which apply to:
- Coroners and death certification;
- deaths abroad where bodies are returned to England and Wales for disposal;
- deaths where relatives wish to transport the body abroad for disposal;
- certifying and registering deaths; and the regulations to authorise cremation or stillbirths abroad;
In relevant cases the ME will agree with the Attending Practitioner (AP) the most appropriate way to complete the medical certificate of the cause of death (MCCD).
Speak to the bereaved to explain / respond to questions about the cause of death and also to provide an opportunity for the bereaved to ask questions or raise any concerns about care provided to the deceased.
The ME will also undertake proportionate scrutiny of the deceaseds clinical records in order to identify those deaths which would benefit from further review by the relevant mortality review process (or other appropriate agency) to take forward associated learning and quality improvement actions.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:-
Lead Medical Examiner and Head of Learning from Deaths
- Other Medical Examiners
- Medical Examiner Officers
- Bereavement Services
- Bereavement Nurses
- General Practitioners and UHL/LPT Consultants
- UHL Medical Staff
- Coroner and Coroners Officers
- Registrars (of Births, Marriages and Deaths)
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Medical Degree
- Minimum of five years' experience of working as a general practitioner or hospital doctor in the UK since full registration with the GMC
- Registered as a medical practitioner with a license to practice throughout the previous five years as at the date of appointment.
Desirable
- Experience of applying principles of Quality Improvement; or
- Chair of Mortality and Morbidity or Audit Group process; or
- Experience of undertaking clinical case note reviews as part of Mortality and Morbidity or Serious Incident process
Communication & Relationship Skills
Essential
- Good written communication skills, including the ability to summarise clearly and accurately.
- Ability to communicate: effectively and with sensitivity
- Ability to work within own team and closely with people in other disciplines
Desirable
- IT competent, for the purposes of efficient screening of deaths
Analytical and Judgement skills
Essential
- Ability to distinguish between natural and unnatural causes of death and when death must be reported to, and investigated by, a coroner
- Up to date knowledge of clinical causes of death, together with death certification requirements and processes
- Working knowledge of practice in a healthcare Environment
Desirable
- Knowledge of legal framework and relevant jurisdiction relating to the process of death certification
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Medical Degree
- Minimum of five years' experience of working as a general practitioner or hospital doctor in the UK since full registration with the GMC
- Registered as a medical practitioner with a license to practice throughout the previous five years as at the date of appointment.
Desirable
- Experience of applying principles of Quality Improvement; or
- Chair of Mortality and Morbidity or Audit Group process; or
- Experience of undertaking clinical case note reviews as part of Mortality and Morbidity or Serious Incident process
Communication & Relationship Skills
Essential
- Good written communication skills, including the ability to summarise clearly and accurately.
- Ability to communicate: effectively and with sensitivity
- Ability to work within own team and closely with people in other disciplines
Desirable
- IT competent, for the purposes of efficient screening of deaths
Analytical and Judgement skills
Essential
- Ability to distinguish between natural and unnatural causes of death and when death must be reported to, and investigated by, a coroner
- Up to date knowledge of clinical causes of death, together with death certification requirements and processes
- Working knowledge of practice in a healthcare Environment
Desirable
- Knowledge of legal framework and relevant jurisdiction relating to the process of death certification
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).
