Medical Examiner

Job description

Job responsibilities

Accountability -

Professional independence in scrutinising deaths but will be accountable to the employing organisations Board for achieving agreed standards or levels of performance.

There is an independent professional line of accountability to a regional structure of NHS Improvement / NHS England outside the employing organisation and immediate line management.

Compliance with guidance issued by the National Medical Examiner when carrying out Medical Examiner Duties

If in a substantive post, have an agreed job plan to include ME position

Communication and relationship

Ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current statutory processes of certification, investigation and registration of all deaths referred from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and all healthcare providers covered by West Kent ME Service.

Support doctors with medical advice on suspected natural causes of death before they prepare an MCCD, and provide general medical advice to HM Coroner

Proportionate Scrutiny of records and collateral information to identify/approve the proposed causes of death, referring to HM Coroner when necessary

Communicate with nominated representatives, bereaved relatives and others in a sensitive and understanding manner. To explain medical information and the cause of death in a transparent and tactful way, and identify any concerns raised, referring to the relevant governance structures where applicable.

To delegate duties to the MEOs ensuring there is robust traceability for any instruction given

Maintain comprehensive records for all deaths scrutinised, ensure full traceability is available for conversations held on the ME1B forms and EDEN systems

To present complex medical information, in sufficient detail, to HM Coroner to enable a further decision regarding coronial investigation or MCCD completion

Highlight any potential conflicts of interest and ensure to uphold the Trusts commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Exercise judgement in where to seek specialist advice in order to determine the appropriate level of scrutiny required

Planning and organisational

Work with other MEs and the senior MEO to arrange reciprocal cover for holidays and other periods of absence. This will include cover if a conflict of interest is raised by a colleague. Inform Lead MEO of all planned unavailability three months in advance whenever possible

Ensure each cause of death is scrutinised in a way that is robust, proportionate and consistent

Ability to distinguish between natural and unnatural causes of death and decide where a death must be reported to and investigated by HM Coroner

Have detailed knowledge of the relevant legislation and processes which apply to:

Coroners and death certification

Deaths abroad where deceased are returned to England and Wales for funeral arrangements

Deaths where the deceased is to be transferred abroad for funeral arrangements

Certifying and registering deaths and the regulations to authorise cremation or burials including stillbirths

Engage with mandatory and national training updates and participate in annual appraisal, maintaining a personal Development Plan

Take responsibility for own continuing professional development, participating in medical education activities. Maintain GMC license to practice and member ship to any relevant professional body

Responsibility for policy/service development

Production and/or review of mortality and ME policy and procedures

Compliance with national protocols, local policies and SOPs, attendance and participation at ME service governance meetings

Participating in audits and investigations where appropriate and responding to complaints within the PCTs expected timescale

Provide feedback/learning to the Mortality surveillance group

Identity trends, patterns and unusual features of deaths and report as required

Share relevant information with responsible officers for doctors to remedy sub-standard clinical performance to protect patients

Participate in Divisional/Directorate clinical governance sessions/boards and the mortality surveillance group

Management responsibility

To provide scrutiny during agreed sessions and to support the service when needed to accommodate emergency referrals and periods of staff unavailability.

To ensure all scrutiny is recorded providing completed notes which may be used as part of any further investigations, structured judgement reviews etc.

To delegate duties to the MEOs ensuring these are completed and report any concerns to the Senior MEO

To assist clinicians with writing the cause of death

To complete the MCCD when requested by HM Coroner

To escalate any concerns to the Lead ME

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Medical Practitioner registered and licensed to practice in the UK by the GMC

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge and experience of local and national clinical governance systems and an understanding of how the ME can work collaboratively to improve patient safety by identifying areas for improvement in clinical and organisational performance
• Experience of leadership and management
• Experience of identifying available data sources to support the detection and analysis of concerns, and to recognise gaps in knowledge
• Up to date knowledge of causes of death, an understanding of legal frameworks associated with death certification processes and coronial referrals and investigations
• Experience of managing sensitive information-based processes within set timeframes with a proportionate approach
• Knowledge of the requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity

Desirable

• Understanding of the medical examiner system service operates independently and aligns with other related organisations and NHS initiatives (LeDeR, CDOP)

Skills

Essential

• Confident ability in negotiation and influencing skills
• Computer literate to use multiple IT software systems for recording personal identifiable data and producing statistical information
• Empathetic and self-awareness skills to deal with the bereaved and other professionals who may have barriers to accepting or understanding information due to their personal circumstances
• Ability to identify and disseminate examples of good practice amongst colleagues and raise concerns within governance settings

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Address

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospital

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ

Employer's website

https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)