Job summary
The Medical Examiner Service at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Foundation Trust (NNUH) is seeking to recruit Medical Examiners. This exciting opportunity is open for senior medical personnel and applications are welcomed from Consultant and GP colleagues.
Medical Examiners are senior clinicians who are trained in the clinical and legal elements of the death certification process.
Four Programmed Activity (PA) sessions, each lasting four hours, are available and may be allocated between suitable candidates to help support service delivery. Applicants are encouraged to specify the number of PAs they are applying for within their application, which will be discussed during the interview process. The successful candidate(s) will work on a fixed roster, based within the Medical Examiner Service offices at the NNUH, Colney Lane. Each ME is expected to work 42 session per annum and flexibility is welcomed during periods of high acuity and busy holiday periods.
Main duties of the job
o To be responsible for the scrutiny of the case notes of all deceased patients that are not taken for investigation by HM Coroner. This includes patients who die in both primary and secondary care settings.o To liaise with clinical teams to agree the cause of death that will be entered on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).
o To (where required) discuss the final cause of death with the nominated next-of-kin in a transparent, sympathetic and tactful manner, and escalate any concerns that are raised.o Work closely with the Medical Examiner Officers (MEOs) in highlighting any concerns about clinical care, feeding into existing governance/Learning from Deaths processes as necessary.o To ensure appropriate referrals are made to HM Coroner, acting as a medical resource for the Coroner where required.o To support the training of resident doctors in the completion of MCCDs and provide feedback on the accuracy of certification locally.
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
Qualifications
Essential
- A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities
Experience
Essential
- An up-to-date knowledge of causes of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certificate processes
- Up-to-date knowledge of notification requirements to HM Coroner and the coronial function
- 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
- 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
Qualifications
Essential
- A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities
Experience
Essential
- An up-to-date knowledge of causes of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certificate processes
- Up-to-date knowledge of notification requirements to HM Coroner and the coronial function
- 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
- 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).
