Job summary
This post has been created by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in response to observations made in the Third Report of the Shipman Inquiry. The introduction of the medical examiner system will promote robust, transparent and independent scrutiny of death certification processes.
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 determination of whether a death is natural or unnatural
Deaths that must be reported to the coroner
Deaths abroad where bodies are returned to England and Wales for disposal
Deaths where relatives wish to transport the body abroad for disposal
Certifying and registering deaths and the regulations to authorise cremation or burials of stillbirths abroad.
Attend mandatory training updates as required.
Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
Participate in the Trust's appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
About us
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
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 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.
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 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.
Person Specification
Experience / Qualifications
Essential
- oBasic medical degree
- oPostgraduate qualification or appropriate specialist qualification
- oFull GMC Registration with a licence to practice
- oEntry onto the GMC Specialist Register or GP Register
- oCompletion of Royal College of Pathologists Medical Examiner e-learning training
Desirable
- oCompletion of Royal College of Pathologists face to face Medical Examiner training
Knowledge
Essential
- oAppropriate level of clinical knowledge / up to date
Desirable
- oBreadth of experience in and outside specialty
Organisation and Planning
Essential
- oExperience and ability to work in multi-professional teams
- oUnderstanding of: NHS / Clinical governance / Resource constraints
Desirable
- oEvidence of managerial skills: Achievements / Course attended
Teaching Skills
Essential
- oEvidence of an interest and commitment to teaching
Desirable
- oRecognised teaching qualification
Academic and Research
Essential
- oEvidence of participation in audit
Desirable
- oResearch experience
- oPublications
- oPrizes and honours
Career Progression
Essential
- oAppropriate progression of career to date
Personal Attributes
Essential
- oEvidence of:- Good communication skills both oral and written
Person Specification
Experience / Qualifications
Essential
- oBasic medical degree
- oPostgraduate qualification or appropriate specialist qualification
- oFull GMC Registration with a licence to practice
- oEntry onto the GMC Specialist Register or GP Register
- oCompletion of Royal College of Pathologists Medical Examiner e-learning training
Desirable
- oCompletion of Royal College of Pathologists face to face Medical Examiner training
Knowledge
Essential
- oAppropriate level of clinical knowledge / up to date
Desirable
- oBreadth of experience in and outside specialty
Organisation and Planning
Essential
- oExperience and ability to work in multi-professional teams
- oUnderstanding of: NHS / Clinical governance / Resource constraints
Desirable
- oEvidence of managerial skills: Achievements / Course attended
Teaching Skills
Essential
- oEvidence of an interest and commitment to teaching
Desirable
- oRecognised teaching qualification
Academic and Research
Essential
- oEvidence of participation in audit
Desirable
- oResearch experience
- oPublications
- oPrizes and honours
Career Progression
Essential
- oAppropriate progression of career to date
Personal Attributes
Essential
- oEvidence of:- Good communication skills both oral and written
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).
Employer details
Employer name
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
Address
Royal Sussex County Hospital/Princess Royal County Hospital
Brighton/Haywards Heath
BN2 5BE
Employer's website
https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
