Job summary
An
exciting opportunity has arisen for a passionate, innovative, enthusiastic
and highly motivated individual to join our existing team in the Medical
Examiner Office at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The purpose of the
service is to provide independent oversight and safeguards for the scrutiny
of all non-coronial deaths.
previous applicants need not apply.
Main duties of the job
The
successful applicant will work closely alongside the existing team of
Medical Examiner Officers and Medical Examiners in the scrutiny of deceased
patients' medical records within the Trust; ensuring the provision of a high
quality, robust Medical Examiner Service underpinned by National guidance.
The
successful applicant should have a good working knowledge of the medical
examiner system and the coronial process and how the two interact. A good
knowledge and understanding of medical terminology and diagnoses surrounding
causes of death are key to the role, and good communication skills are
essential when dealing with relatives of the deceased and medical staff.
The
successful applicant will have a role in reviewing patient care and
collecting important information in preparation for the Medical Examiners to
carry out their scrutiny.
The
Medical Examiner Officers will be expected to develop and adapt as the role
evolves, including extending their practice into the non-acute sector, when
the medical examiner service becomes statutory.
Experience
in dealing with bereaved families will be highly beneficial for this role.
Full training and support will be offered with regular supervision and
networking opportunities with other Medical Examiner Officers through the
Regional Medical Examiner Officer.
About us
We
are committed to delivering the highest quality and safest treatment and care
to every patient, every time. We will always be patient-centred, fair,
collaborative, accountable and empower our patients and colleagues. The best
for patient safety, quality and experience.
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'
members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts
are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove
adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the
shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this
process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any
questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The
Medical Examiner Officer role is an integral post within the Trust relating
to the Learning from Deaths workstream.
The post holder will support the Head of Bereavement / Medical
Examiner Services and the Medical Examiners in their role in scrutinising the
circumstances and cause of death for all deaths within the Trust; working
with the Trust Medical Examiner and colleagues within the Bereavement Office.
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals Trust has approximately 3000 patient deaths per year, which
in line with national guidance require review from the Medical Examiner. The
post holder will support to the Medical Examiner, working in collaboration
with healthcare professional to ensure accurate and appropriate processes are
in place for the review of patient deaths. In addition, the post holder will
be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased
patients, healthcare professionals, His Majesty's Coroner and registration
services.
The
post holder will be responsible for establishing and sustaining an effective
and responsive service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The
Medical Examiner Officer role is an integral post within the Trust relating
to the Learning from Deaths workstream.
The post holder will support the Head of Bereavement / Medical
Examiner Services and the Medical Examiners in their role in scrutinising the
circumstances and cause of death for all deaths within the Trust; working
with the Trust Medical Examiner and colleagues within the Bereavement Office.
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals Trust has approximately 3000 patient deaths per year, which
in line with national guidance require review from the Medical Examiner. The
post holder will support to the Medical Examiner, working in collaboration
with healthcare professional to ensure accurate and appropriate processes are
in place for the review of patient deaths. In addition, the post holder will
be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased
patients, healthcare professionals, His Majesty's Coroner and registration
services.
The
post holder will be responsible for establishing and sustaining an effective
and responsive service.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- To have an understanding of medical terminology that enables informed discussions about causes/circumstances of death with bereaved families, clinicians, coroners and registration services
- Knowledge of the statutory process around death certification legal frameworks and how the medical examiner system aligns with other related organisations and NHS initiatives.
- Knowledge of medical examiner system and how this aligns with the national agenda
- Knowledge of the NHS Improvement Learning from Deaths process
- Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009 reference to the medical examiner system
Desirable
- Specialist knowledge of various faith groups funeral wishes/ practices to enable respectful compliance with specific timescales and procedures
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Highly evolved empathetic and self-awareness skills to liaise with bereaved families
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to liaise with senior managers and consultants offering guidance and interpretation of complex information
- The ability to work in a highly pressurised, unpredictable environment where bereavement care is central to the service delivery
- Work collaboratively with a range of clinical and non-clinical staff to ensure effective processes are embedded
Other Criteria
Essential
- Planning and time management skills, able to prioritise and schedule tasks and activities, to meet deadlines, adjusting these plans and necessary to address more urgent work requests
- Excellent computer literacy skills with the ability to use a range of IT software, including Microsoft Office and clinical systems
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent level of experience
- Having completed or willing to undertake national training relating to the medical examiner officer role
Desirable
- Clinical Qualification (Registered Nurse, Paramedic etc)
- Completed Royal College of Pathology Medical Examiner Core Modules
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- To have an understanding of medical terminology that enables informed discussions about causes/circumstances of death with bereaved families, clinicians, coroners and registration services
- Knowledge of the statutory process around death certification legal frameworks and how the medical examiner system aligns with other related organisations and NHS initiatives.
- Knowledge of medical examiner system and how this aligns with the national agenda
- Knowledge of the NHS Improvement Learning from Deaths process
- Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009 reference to the medical examiner system
Desirable
- Specialist knowledge of various faith groups funeral wishes/ practices to enable respectful compliance with specific timescales and procedures
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Highly evolved empathetic and self-awareness skills to liaise with bereaved families
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to liaise with senior managers and consultants offering guidance and interpretation of complex information
- The ability to work in a highly pressurised, unpredictable environment where bereavement care is central to the service delivery
- Work collaboratively with a range of clinical and non-clinical staff to ensure effective processes are embedded
Other Criteria
Essential
- Planning and time management skills, able to prioritise and schedule tasks and activities, to meet deadlines, adjusting these plans and necessary to address more urgent work requests
- Excellent computer literacy skills with the ability to use a range of IT software, including Microsoft Office and clinical systems
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent level of experience
- Having completed or willing to undertake national training relating to the medical examiner officer role
Desirable
- Clinical Qualification (Registered Nurse, Paramedic etc)
- Completed Royal College of Pathology Medical Examiner Core Modules
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.
