Job summary
The Medical Directors Office in collaboration with the Medical Examiner Service at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Foundation Trust (NNUH) is seeking to recruit a Lead Medical Examiner to provide clinical leadership to the Medical Examiner Service based at the NNUH.
The successful applicant will work closely with the Trust Bereavement Office and Mortuary Department to lead the Medical Examiner Service, to provide a 5-day service with out of hours cover for urgent release cases. The post holder will be accountable to the Regional Medical Examiner, and the NNUH Medical Director.
Main duties of the job
o To provide clinical leadership to the Medical Examiner Service at NNUH, ensuring compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current processes of certification, investigation (by HM Coroner) and registration of deaths within a Local Authority areao To adopt a collaborative working relationship with other MEs by sharing experiences and expertise to support peer learning and set uniform standards of service deliveryo To maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinized and undertake analysis and provide information as required to ONS and locally for clinical governance purposes, and to ensure the quarterly reporting is completed and submitted on timeo Be a point of escalation for concerns, trends etc. and report concerns to the Regional Medical Examiner of the Trust Medical Director as appropriateo Work collaboratively with the Lead Medical Examiner Officer to ensure the office is running efficiently (including ensuring appropriate cover for planned/unplanned leave), and to support other MEs with difficult cases or when a second opinion is requiredo Act as subject matter expert and lead engagement between external organisations such as Coroners service, registration services, faith groups, ICB colleagues, Primary care colleagues, CDOP, LEDER teams
About us
The Medical Examiner Service has been in place within the NNUH since 2019, reviewing all inpatient deaths. During September 2024 the service became statutory and has expanded to cover the deaths of those who pass away within the community. The NNUH Medical Examiner Office is the largest in the region, reviewing approximately 6500 deaths per year.
The Service is based on the main NNUH site, and has close working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders; such as the Bereavement and Mortuary teams, HM Coroner's Office, Registration Services and local Funeral Directors. We are a close and friendly team consisting of 6 Medical Examiners Officers working full time, and 11 Medical Examiners working part time.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information about this post please read the detailed job description for the Medical Examiner post attached
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information about this post please read the detailed job description for the Medical Examiner post attached
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Medical practitioner registered and licensed to practice in the UK by the GMC
- Medical Consultant or GP
Experience
Essential
- Line management experience in a large complex service
- Proven ability to manage resources effectively
- Up-to-date knowledge of notification requirements to HM Coroner and the coronial function
- Proven ability in performance management and the development of staff
- 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 and optimal clinical and organizational performance
Attitude
Essential
- Strong intrapersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in different and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism
- To sustain professional integrity and independence at all times, particularly where there is the potential for a conflict of interest
- Ability to work as part of a team and organize a fluctuating workload around competing priorities and numerous interruptions
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Medical practitioner registered and licensed to practice in the UK by the GMC
- Medical Consultant or GP
Experience
Essential
- Line management experience in a large complex service
- Proven ability to manage resources effectively
- Up-to-date knowledge of notification requirements to HM Coroner and the coronial function
- Proven ability in performance management and the development of staff
- 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 and optimal clinical and organizational performance
Attitude
Essential
- Strong intrapersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in different and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism
- To sustain professional integrity and independence at all times, particularly where there is the potential for a conflict of interest
- Ability to work as part of a team and organize a fluctuating workload around competing priorities and numerous interruptions
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).
