Job summary
Job title:GP Medical Examiner
Department:Bereavement
Salary:£75 per hour
Hours:Up to 4 hrs p/w on a Tuesday
We are looking to expand our Medical Examiner Service in preparation for the introduction of statutory Medical Examiner review of all deaths before registration from 1/4/24.
Routine mortality reviews of all inpatient deaths have been taking place at MKUH since 2018 providing scrutiny for all inpatient deaths at the hospital. We have reviewed all Willen hospice deaths since 2022 and have started to review community deaths since 2023 - currently having over half of GP practices on board.
We are a supportive, experienced and dynamic team from a range of clinical backgrounds, and we are now looking to recruit new medical practitioners to the team to deal with the increasing workload that the new statuary change will bring.
Applications are invited from any medically qualified practitioner who has been on the full GMC register for a minimum of five years.
As a new Medical Examiner, you will be supported by the team, and will shadow a current Medical Examiner for the first few weeks. Training is hosted by the Royal College of Pathologists with peer support being provided in the new role by the existing medical examiners. This is a highly rewarding role that provides essential safeguards within the death certification process, provides support to the bereaved, supports correct referral to HM Coroner and supports the system wide learning and improvement.
Main duties of the job
Medical examiners (MEs) are appropriately trained doctors who will proportionately scrutinise deceased patients' records against the Cause of Death offered by the certifying practitioner. They are responsible for ensuring that
- the Cause of Death is accurate, and meets the legal requirements for registration,
- there is no requirement for referral of the case to the Coroner for review
- any concerns about the death raised by any concerned party are reviewed and actioned accordingly
- that any concerns about the standard of care received by the deceased are escalated appropriately for investigation for system-wide learning
Medical Examiners are not allowed to scrutinise the death of any patient whose care they have been involved in.
About us
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible workingopportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices. We promote an inclusive workforce and encourage applications from applicants from all backgrounds.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
Job description
Job 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 ensure that any concerns about the death raised by any concerned party are reviewed and actioned accordingly.
- To ensure that any concerns about the standard of care received by the deceased are escalated appropriately for investigation for system wide learning.
- To discuss and explain the cause of death with next of kin/informants in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner.
- 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.
- 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 adopt a collaborative working relationship with other MEs by sharing experiences and expertise to support peer learning and set uniform standards of service delivery.
Job description
Job 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 ensure that any concerns about the death raised by any concerned party are reviewed and actioned accordingly.
- To ensure that any concerns about the standard of care received by the deceased are escalated appropriately for investigation for system wide learning.
- To discuss and explain the cause of death with next of kin/informants in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner.
- 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.
- 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 adopt a collaborative working relationship with other MEs by sharing experiences and expertise to support peer learning and set uniform standards of service delivery.
Person Specification
Experience
Desirable
- Previous experience of clinical governance processes and improvement projects and methodology
- A working knowledge of the clinical portal
Specific Requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Medical practitioner registered and licensed to practise in the UK by the GMC.
- Must have been on the full register for a minimum of five years
- Up-to-date knowledge of causes of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certification processes
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity
- 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
Desirable
- Completion of the 26 Royal College of Pathologists Medical examiner core training modules
- Recognised relevant postgraduate medical qualification
Skills
Essential
- IT skills including use of email and commonly used software
- Ability to manage sensitive information - based processes within tight timescales by ensuring a proportionate approach to tasks
- Ability to identify available data sources to support the detection and analysis of concerns and to recognise gaps in available knowledge
- Ability to work as part of a team and organise a fluctuating workload around competing priorities and numerous interruptions
- Have the resilience to manage own reaction to frequently distressing situations and support others within the team.
- Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism.
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Ability to identify and disseminate examples of good practice amongst relevant colleagues.
- Ability to work effectively and efficiently within own team and also closely with people in other disciplines
- A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities.
- Evidence of regular engagement with the appraisal process
- Commitment to attend a face-to-face training session within the first three months in post if not already completed when appointed.
- Proactive and self-motivated with a flexible working approach
- Support of colleagues for you to take on the ME role
- To sustain professional integrity and independence at all times, and possess an ability to identify potential conflicts of interest
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication skills across cultural and language barriers, and demonstrated experience of using translation services or applications to aid communication under difficult circumstances
Person Specification
Experience
Desirable
- Previous experience of clinical governance processes and improvement projects and methodology
- A working knowledge of the clinical portal
Specific Requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Medical practitioner registered and licensed to practise in the UK by the GMC.
- Must have been on the full register for a minimum of five years
- Up-to-date knowledge of causes of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certification processes
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity
- 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
Desirable
- Completion of the 26 Royal College of Pathologists Medical examiner core training modules
- Recognised relevant postgraduate medical qualification
Skills
Essential
- IT skills including use of email and commonly used software
- Ability to manage sensitive information - based processes within tight timescales by ensuring a proportionate approach to tasks
- Ability to identify available data sources to support the detection and analysis of concerns and to recognise gaps in available knowledge
- Ability to work as part of a team and organise a fluctuating workload around competing priorities and numerous interruptions
- Have the resilience to manage own reaction to frequently distressing situations and support others within the team.
- Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism.
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Ability to identify and disseminate examples of good practice amongst relevant colleagues.
- Ability to work effectively and efficiently within own team and also closely with people in other disciplines
- A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities.
- Evidence of regular engagement with the appraisal process
- Commitment to attend a face-to-face training session within the first three months in post if not already completed when appointed.
- Proactive and self-motivated with a flexible working approach
- Support of colleagues for you to take on the ME role
- To sustain professional integrity and independence at all times, and possess an ability to identify potential conflicts of interest
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication skills across cultural and language barriers, and demonstrated experience of using translation services or applications to aid communication under difficult circumstances
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).
