East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Medical Examiner

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

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). Accreditation as a Medical Examiner is through the Royal College of Pathology and has two components: e-learning and face-to-face training. It is expected that the elearning is completed before interview and it is expected that face to face training should take place within 6 months of starting the role.

Main duties of the job

  • 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.o To scrutinise the certified causes of death offered by attending doctors in a way that is propor-tionate, consistent and compliant with the proposed national protocol.o To discuss and explain the cause of death with next of kin/informants in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner.o To maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis to provide information to the National Medical Examiner's office.o To identify deaths that could potentially be reported as untoward serious incidents via the trust governance systems and ensure referral for structured judgement reviews of mortality where indicated.o To support the training of junior doctors in their understanding of death certification and pro-mote good practice in accurate completion of MCCDs.o To work with medical examiner officers (MEOs), delegating duties as appropriate.

About us

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with three acute hospitals and community sites serving a local population of around 800,000. We also provide specialist services for Kent and Medway.We're on an exciting journey of transformation. With a new Medical School at the centre of our community, a focus on research, clinical leadership and making our trust a rewardingand friendly place to work, there's never been a better time to join us.At East Kent, we will do all we can to help you grow a career around you, your family, your location and your interests.We offer flexible and fulfilling career solutions that work for you and unique opportunities to innovate and inspire - all in a county where you can enjoy your life to the full, whatever your interest.

Details

Date posted

27 July 2023

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£84,559 to £114,003 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

344-1414CONCSSZ

Job locations

KCH/QEQMH/WHH

Canterbury/Margate/Ashford

CT1 3NG


Job description

Job responsibilities

To ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with thecurrent and proposed reformed processes of certification, investigation by coronersand registration of deaths. To ensure that all users of the ME system are treated with respect and are not discriminatedagainst on the grounds of sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, genderreassignment or disability. To participate in relevant clinical governance activities relating to death certificationincluding audits, mortality review processes and investigations regarding formal complaintsabout patient care. To adopt a collaborative working relationship with other MEs by sharing experiencesand expertise to support peer learning and set uniform standards of service delivery. Highly evolved self-awareness and empathetic skills to liaise effectively and sympatheticallywith bereaved families The ability to demonstrate and combine appropriate levels of compassion with professionalismand discretion Being open to constructive criticism, ideas and solutions Acting as a positive role model and interacting appropriately with all stakeholders includingMEOs, other MEs, the bereaved and the coroner Having the integrity to gain trust and comply with the independent nature of the MErole in the context of other clinical specialty duties.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with thecurrent and proposed reformed processes of certification, investigation by coronersand registration of deaths. To ensure that all users of the ME system are treated with respect and are not discriminatedagainst on the grounds of sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, genderreassignment or disability. To participate in relevant clinical governance activities relating to death certificationincluding audits, mortality review processes and investigations regarding formal complaintsabout patient care. To adopt a collaborative working relationship with other MEs by sharing experiencesand expertise to support peer learning and set uniform standards of service delivery. Highly evolved self-awareness and empathetic skills to liaise effectively and sympatheticallywith bereaved families The ability to demonstrate and combine appropriate levels of compassion with professionalismand discretion Being open to constructive criticism, ideas and solutions Acting as a positive role model and interacting appropriately with all stakeholders includingMEOs, other MEs, the bereaved and the coroner Having the integrity to gain trust and comply with the independent nature of the MErole in the context of other clinical specialty duties.

Person Specification

Qualifications and training

Essential

  • Registered as a medical practitioner with a licence to practise throughout the previous five years as at the date of appointment.
  • Candidates will have successfully completed the approved components of the national on-line training curriculum prior to applying.

Desirable

  • Fully accredited as a medical examiner (RCPathME)

Skills

Essential

  • Broad Medical Knowledge to enable scrutiny of deaths and ability to recognise learning opportunities.
  • Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity
  • 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 clinical and organisational performance

Desirable

  • Ability to manage and comply with sensitive information-based processes under tight timescales with a proportionate approach.

Clinical governance

Essential

  • Knowledge of systems that enable learning from errors and complaints

Desirable

  • Experience of evidence-based practise.

Personal/professional attributes

Essential

  • Upholds and models the Trust Values
  • Adheres to the GMC code of conduct

Other requirements

Essential

  • Commitment to travel across sites.
  • Have the resilience to manage own reaction to frequently distressing situations and support others within the team.
Person Specification

Qualifications and training

Essential

  • Registered as a medical practitioner with a licence to practise throughout the previous five years as at the date of appointment.
  • Candidates will have successfully completed the approved components of the national on-line training curriculum prior to applying.

Desirable

  • Fully accredited as a medical examiner (RCPathME)

Skills

Essential

  • Broad Medical Knowledge to enable scrutiny of deaths and ability to recognise learning opportunities.
  • Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity
  • 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 clinical and organisational performance

Desirable

  • Ability to manage and comply with sensitive information-based processes under tight timescales with a proportionate approach.

Clinical governance

Essential

  • Knowledge of systems that enable learning from errors and complaints

Desirable

  • Experience of evidence-based practise.

Personal/professional attributes

Essential

  • Upholds and models the Trust Values
  • Adheres to the GMC code of conduct

Other requirements

Essential

  • Commitment to travel across sites.
  • Have the resilience to manage own reaction to frequently distressing situations and support others within the team.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

KCH/QEQMH/WHH

Canterbury/Margate/Ashford

CT1 3NG


Employer's website

https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

KCH/QEQMH/WHH

Canterbury/Margate/Ashford

CT1 3NG


Employer's website

https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Medical Examiner

Michelle Webb

mwebb3@nhs.net

07917813803

Details

Date posted

27 July 2023

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£84,559 to £114,003 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

344-1414CONCSSZ

Job locations

KCH/QEQMH/WHH

Canterbury/Margate/Ashford

CT1 3NG


Supporting documents

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