Job summary
Medical examiners (MEs) are appropriately trained doctors who will verify clinical information on Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs) and ensure that the right referrals are made to the coroner for further investigation. A practising medical practitioner who has been on the general medical council register for a minimum of five years post registration can apply to be a medical examiner. It is recommended that medical examiners are consultant grade doctors from a range of disciplines (including GP principals). MEs will take a consistent approach to the formulation of MCCD content, which must be clinically accurate and reflect any discussions with the next of kin/informant. MEs must not have been involved in the care of the deceased patients for deaths they scrutinise.
Main duties of the job
The post is permanent and is for a minimum of 1 3 PA's per week.
The role of the Medical Examiner is to promote robust, transparent and independent scrutiny of the death certification process.
You will have responsibility for independently reviewing the circumstances of each non- coronial death, discussing the care with the junior doctor completing the death certificate and liaising with the bereaved families or carers.
This role will also include working with the Coroners office and completion of Form 5 of the Cremation Form when necessary. You will be expected to consider whether cases need to be referred for further internal review using the Structured Judgement Review tool.
Training is provided through completion of online modules and a face to face training day provided by the Royal College of Pathologists. This will be mandatory for anyone wishing to take up the role.
About us
It is an interesting time to join Yeovil District Hospital given the global pandemic. We have been one of only a handful of acute trusts that have maintained flow throughout the Winter 2019/20 and throughout the pandemic (we are very proud of this, have published about it and are actively researching it). Our four-hour performance for the financial year to date is above 95%. The support and engagement of the Trust management at all levels enables the creative and rewarding work in that leads to these results we appreciate this is not the norm. Yeovil Emergency Department was rated by the Care Quality Commission as Good overall for safe, effective, caring and well led service, and Outstanding as a responsive service. We were also ranked the best performing major trauma unit in the South West by the Trauma Audit Research Network.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Roles and Responsibilities
- To ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current and proposed reformed processes of certification, investigation by coroners and registration of deaths.
- To scrutinise the certified causes of death offered by attending doctors in a way that is proportionate, consistent and compliant with the proposed national protocol.
- To discuss and explain the cause of death with next of kin/informants in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner. It is anticipated that such discussions will be predominately conducted through telephone conversations where barriers to understanding information may exist.
- To ensure that all users of the ME system are treated with respect and are not discriminated against on the grounds of sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
- To maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis to provide information to the National Medical Examiners office.
- To participate in relevant clinical governance activities relating to death certification including audits, mortality review processes and investigations regarding formal complaints about patient care.
- To support the training of junior doctors in their understanding of death certification and promote good practice in accurate completion of MCCDs.
- To work with medical examiner officers (MEOs), delegating duties as appropriate.
- To engage with lead ME and lead MEO for the region.
- To adopt a collaborative working relationship with other MEs by sharing experiences and expertise to support peer learning and set uniform standards of service delivery.
- Except in emergencies or where otherwise agreed with your manager, you are responsible for fulfilling the duties and responsibilities and undertaking the Programmed Activities set
- out in your Job Plan, as reviewed from time to time
- You are not required to provide emergency cover. We may in exceptional circumstances ask you to return to site for emergencies if we are able to contact you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Roles and Responsibilities
- To ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current and proposed reformed processes of certification, investigation by coroners and registration of deaths.
- To scrutinise the certified causes of death offered by attending doctors in a way that is proportionate, consistent and compliant with the proposed national protocol.
- To discuss and explain the cause of death with next of kin/informants in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner. It is anticipated that such discussions will be predominately conducted through telephone conversations where barriers to understanding information may exist.
- To ensure that all users of the ME system are treated with respect and are not discriminated against on the grounds of sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
- To maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis to provide information to the National Medical Examiners office.
- To participate in relevant clinical governance activities relating to death certification including audits, mortality review processes and investigations regarding formal complaints about patient care.
- To support the training of junior doctors in their understanding of death certification and promote good practice in accurate completion of MCCDs.
- To work with medical examiner officers (MEOs), delegating duties as appropriate.
- To engage with lead ME and lead MEO for the region.
- To adopt a collaborative working relationship with other MEs by sharing experiences and expertise to support peer learning and set uniform standards of service delivery.
- Except in emergencies or where otherwise agreed with your manager, you are responsible for fulfilling the duties and responsibilities and undertaking the Programmed Activities set
- out in your Job Plan, as reviewed from time to time
- You are not required to provide emergency cover. We may in exceptional circumstances ask you to return to site for emergencies if we are able to contact you.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MBBS or Equivalent
- Full GMC Registration with a licence to practise at time of applying
- Entry on the GMC Specialist Register via CCT, CESR or European Community Rights
Desirable
- An appropriate higher degree or qualification e.g. Royal College Membership or Fellowship
Experience
Essential
- At least 5 years experience as a fully registered medical practitioner
- Are currently practicing or have retired in the last 5 years.
Desirable
- Experience at locum consultant level.
Skills abilities and knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and processes.
- Knowledge of local and national clinical governance systems.
- Evidence of ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Evidence of being able to lead and develop the service
Audit
Desirable
- Knowledge of multidisciplinary clinical audit principles and evidence of direct involvement in 2 specific audits in the last 18 months
Managment
Desirable
- Evidence of general management training and self-development in areas such as recruitment and selection, equal opportunities, leadership, planning and change management, appraisal
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MBBS or Equivalent
- Full GMC Registration with a licence to practise at time of applying
- Entry on the GMC Specialist Register via CCT, CESR or European Community Rights
Desirable
- An appropriate higher degree or qualification e.g. Royal College Membership or Fellowship
Experience
Essential
- At least 5 years experience as a fully registered medical practitioner
- Are currently practicing or have retired in the last 5 years.
Desirable
- Experience at locum consultant level.
Skills abilities and knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and processes.
- Knowledge of local and national clinical governance systems.
- Evidence of ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Evidence of being able to lead and develop the service
Audit
Desirable
- Knowledge of multidisciplinary clinical audit principles and evidence of direct involvement in 2 specific audits in the last 18 months
Managment
Desirable
- Evidence of general management training and self-development in areas such as recruitment and selection, equal opportunities, leadership, planning and change management, appraisal
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).
