Job summary
We are looking to recruit new Medical Examiners to replace retiring colleagues and applications are welcomed from consultant and GP colleagues.
Medical examiners are senior medical doctors, who are trained in the legal and clinical elements of death certification processes.
The Medical Examiners are responsible for the scrutiny of the case-notes of all the deceased patients that are not referred to the coroner. They then liaise with the clinical teams to agree the cause of death to be entered on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. Either the ME or MEO will discuss this with the named next of kin and escalate any concerns that they have for further investigation via agreed channels.
The ME is also responsible for highlighting any concerns that they have about the clinical care, feeding into the existing Learning from Deaths process.
The successful applicant will work 1 session (4 hrs ) per week on a fixed Rota - (Medical Examiner - Minimum of 4 hour per week)
Training is via the NHS eLearning website and a face to face or virtual day at the Royal College of Pathologists. The eLearning modules must be completed prior to the post commencing.
Main duties of the job
Their role includes:
- speaking to the doctor who treatedthe patient on their final illness
- reviewing the medical records and any supporting diagnostic information
- agreeing the proposed cause of death and the overall accuracy of the medical certificate cause of death
- discussing the cause of death with the next of kin/informant and establishing if they have any concerns with care that could have impacted/led to death
- acting as a medical advice resource for the local coroner
- informing clinical governance systems to highlight deceased patients who require a mortality case record review so any formal learning can be gained by the provider organisation
- ensuring that patterns andconcerns about careare raised appropriately
- enabling a medical examiner officer to conduct component parts of the role under delegated author
More detailed information can be found in the attached job description and on the Royal College of Pathologists website https://www.rcpath.org/profession/medical-examiners.html
About us
The Medical Examiner Office is based in a purpose built bereavement centre at Royal Preston Hospital. There are co-located bereavement nursing and Coroner's officers' teams.
This facilitates collaborative team working allowing a seamless approach to the support of bereaved relatives.
The Trust has a fully established Medical Examiner Office with 12 Medical Examiners and 6 Medical Examiner Officers.
The Medical Examiner office is based in the bereavement office at Royal Preston Hospital
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job description, Person specification and Specialty/ Trust Brochure for further details on:
What we can offer
Job Plan/On-call Requirements
The Team
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job description, Person specification and Specialty/ Trust Brochure for further details on:
What we can offer
Job Plan/On-call Requirements
The Team
Person Specification
Health
Essential
- Meets professional health requirements in line with GMC Standards/ Good Medical Practice
Qualifications
Essential
- Medical practitioner registered and licensed to practise in the UK by the GMC.
- Post holder must successfully complete the mandatory e-learning modules and attend a face-to-face training session within six months of commencing the role
Desirable
- Completion of the first 4 mandatory e-learning modules prior to interview
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- At least 5 years' experience as a Consultant or GP
- 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
- Experience in undertaking Mortality Reviews, preferably using the Structured Judgement Review methodology
Desirable
- Knowledge of emerging legislative and proposed model of the national Medical Examiner framework
- Experience of working with faith groups and early release of the deceased
- Experience in undertaking Secondary &/or Learning Disabilities (LeDeR) Mortality Reviews,
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Knowledge of 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.
- Ability to identify available data sources to support the detection and analysis of concerns and to recognise gaps in available knowledge.
- 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
- Can organise a fluctuating workload around competing priorities and numerous interruptions.
Desirable
- Implemented service change to improve outcomes related to audit or other drivers
- Work effectively with external colleagues to influence change, benchmark and improve quality and safety.
Values and Behaviours
Essential
- Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism
- 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
Desirable
- Has Advanced Communication Skills e.g. Sage & Thyme or other similar training
Person Specification
Health
Essential
- Meets professional health requirements in line with GMC Standards/ Good Medical Practice
Qualifications
Essential
- Medical practitioner registered and licensed to practise in the UK by the GMC.
- Post holder must successfully complete the mandatory e-learning modules and attend a face-to-face training session within six months of commencing the role
Desirable
- Completion of the first 4 mandatory e-learning modules prior to interview
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- At least 5 years' experience as a Consultant or GP
- 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
- Experience in undertaking Mortality Reviews, preferably using the Structured Judgement Review methodology
Desirable
- Knowledge of emerging legislative and proposed model of the national Medical Examiner framework
- Experience of working with faith groups and early release of the deceased
- Experience in undertaking Secondary &/or Learning Disabilities (LeDeR) Mortality Reviews,
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Knowledge of 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.
- Ability to identify available data sources to support the detection and analysis of concerns and to recognise gaps in available knowledge.
- 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
- Can organise a fluctuating workload around competing priorities and numerous interruptions.
Desirable
- Implemented service change to improve outcomes related to audit or other drivers
- Work effectively with external colleagues to influence change, benchmark and improve quality and safety.
Values and Behaviours
Essential
- Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism
- 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
Desirable
- Has Advanced Communication Skills e.g. Sage & Thyme or other similar training
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).
