Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to be key in the setting up of our new Trust Medical Examiner service which will initially comprise of a Lead Medical Examiner at 3 sessions per week, and 3 - 4 Medical Examiner (up to 2 sessions per week) supported by a Lead Medical Examiner Officer and 2 Medical Examiner officers providing the service at hospitals in Stockport and Macclesfield
Main duties of the job
Medical Examiners are expected to screen and review deaths (from the preceding weekend or working day) to an agreed policy and time frame, liaise with the Coroner to develop a robust process for referrals, minimising delays to bereaved families, and enabling further investigations as appropriate. Training packages have been created and are provided by the Royal College of Pathologists and applicants will be expected to complete these within 2 months of commencement if they have not done so already
About us
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services for children and adults across Stockport and the High Peak, as well as community health services for Stockport, Tameside and Glossop. Stepping Hill Hospital treats over 500,000 patients per year and community health services are run across 24 sites in Stockport and 17 sites in Tameside and Glossop.
There are lots of good reasons to choose to come and work at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust. A dynamic integrated Trust with integrity and vision. Exactly the same qualities youll see in yourself.
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust aims to be the organisation of choice for patients and an employer of choice for staff. In order to continually improve all aspects of our patient experience, we rely upon having a highly skilled, motivated, diverse, productive and patient focussed workforce.
We are constantly improving how we work with staff and this is reflected in the awards we have been awarded, which can be viewed on our website.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a (Lead) Medical Examiner you will work on a rota supporting the service which will verify clinical information on Medical Certificates of Cause of Death and ensure that the right referrals are made to the coroner for further investigation. You will take a consistent approach to the formulation of Medical Certificates of Cause of Death content, which must be clinically accurate and reflect any discussions with the next of kin/informant.
You will be employed by the Trust but have a separate line of accountability to the National Medical Examiner service via the Regional ME teams, who provide support and training to all local ME teams.
The sessional PAs will be required to fit with current clinical job plans and must be agreed with existing line managers
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a (Lead) Medical Examiner you will work on a rota supporting the service which will verify clinical information on Medical Certificates of Cause of Death and ensure that the right referrals are made to the coroner for further investigation. You will take a consistent approach to the formulation of Medical Certificates of Cause of Death content, which must be clinically accurate and reflect any discussions with the next of kin/informant.
You will be employed by the Trust but have a separate line of accountability to the National Medical Examiner service via the Regional ME teams, who provide support and training to all local ME teams.
The sessional PAs will be required to fit with current clinical job plans and must be agreed with existing line managers
Person Specification
Knowledge, Skills and Performance
Essential
- Medical practitioner registered and licensed to practise in the UK by the GMC for 5 yrs+.
- A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities.
- MEs should have up-to-date knowledge of causes of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certification processes.
- IT skills including use of email and commonly used software.
- Ability to manage and comply with sensitive information-based processes under tight timescales with a proportionate approach.
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity
Desirable
- Completion of core and face to face ME training
- Consultant or principal GP grade
Safety and Quality - Clinical Governance
Essential
- Knowledge of local and national clinical governance systems and an understanding of how the ME can work collaboratively to improve patient safety by identifying sub-optimal clinical and organisational performance.
Communication and team work
Essential
- Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism.
- Ability to work effectively and efficiently within own team and also closely with people in other disciplines
- Ability to work as part of a team and organise a fluctuating workload around competing priorities and numerous interruptions.
Personal qualities and behavioural attributes
Essential
- Proactive and self-motivated with a flexible working approach
- Have the resilience to manage own reaction to frequently distressing situations and support others within the team.
- To sustain professional integrity and independence at all times, particularly where there is the potential for a conflict of interest.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Skills and Performance
Essential
- Medical practitioner registered and licensed to practise in the UK by the GMC for 5 yrs+.
- A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities.
- MEs should have up-to-date knowledge of causes of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certification processes.
- IT skills including use of email and commonly used software.
- Ability to manage and comply with sensitive information-based processes under tight timescales with a proportionate approach.
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity
Desirable
- Completion of core and face to face ME training
- Consultant or principal GP grade
Safety and Quality - Clinical Governance
Essential
- Knowledge of local and national clinical governance systems and an understanding of how the ME can work collaboratively to improve patient safety by identifying sub-optimal clinical and organisational performance.
Communication and team work
Essential
- Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism.
- Ability to work effectively and efficiently within own team and also closely with people in other disciplines
- Ability to work as part of a team and organise a fluctuating workload around competing priorities and numerous interruptions.
Personal qualities and behavioural attributes
Essential
- Proactive and self-motivated with a flexible working approach
- Have the resilience to manage own reaction to frequently distressing situations and support others within the team.
- To sustain professional integrity and independence at all times, particularly where there is the potential for a conflict of interest.
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.
