Job summary
Medical Examiners will be appropriately trained senior doctors who will verify clinical information on Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs), to ensure appropriate referrals to the Coroner and accuracy and consistency of MCCD content. They will be responsible for the scrutiny of the documentation and circumstances arising from the majority of deaths in England and Wales.
Main duties of the job
Their job is to review the patient's last care episode and ensure that their cause of death is recorded accurately. They do this by reviewing their medical records and also discussing with the doctors who looked after them. Medical Examiners also review the quality of care and make sure that it was satisfactory. 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.
About us
We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.
We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.
We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.
If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.
We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.
Benefits we offer to you:
o Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
o NHS pension scheme membership
o Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
o NHS Staff discounts
o Cycle to work scheme
oSalary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
o Stockport Credit Union- for local financial advice
Job description
Job responsibilities
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 practicing medical practitioner who has been on the general medical council register for a minimum of five years post registration can apply to be a ME. 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. The main duties of an ME are as follows:
To ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current processes of certification, investigation (by coroners) and registration of deaths within a Local Authority area;
To support those doctors who call for medical advice on suspected natural causes of death before they prepare an MCCD, and provide general medical advice to the coroner;
Scrutinise the certified causes of all in-scope deaths in a way that is compliant with the proposed national protocol;
Maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis and provide information as required to ONS & locally for clinical governance purposes;
Explain to bereaved relatives causes of death in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner, which respects different faith, cultural, ethnic and diversity considerations;
Support the training of junior doctors in completion of MCCDs and provide feedback on accuracy of certification locally.
Job description
Job responsibilities
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 practicing medical practitioner who has been on the general medical council register for a minimum of five years post registration can apply to be a ME. 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. The main duties of an ME are as follows:
To ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current processes of certification, investigation (by coroners) and registration of deaths within a Local Authority area;
To support those doctors who call for medical advice on suspected natural causes of death before they prepare an MCCD, and provide general medical advice to the coroner;
Scrutinise the certified causes of all in-scope deaths in a way that is compliant with the proposed national protocol;
Maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis and provide information as required to ONS & locally for clinical governance purposes;
Explain to bereaved relatives causes of death in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner, which respects different faith, cultural, ethnic and diversity considerations;
Support the training of junior doctors in completion of MCCDs and provide feedback on accuracy of certification locally.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- General knowledge of the statutory process around death certification legal frameworks and how the medical examiner system aligns with other related organisations and NHS initiatives
- General knowledge of the correct structure of causes of death on a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
- Understanding of the CJA in reference to the ME service and of various faith requirements
- Understanding of the coroners process and of natural and unatural causes of death
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Must be registered with the GMC
- Must have at least 5 years post registration experience as a practicing doctor
- Completed all free E- learning for healthcare ME training
- A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities
- The ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including the recently bereaved.
Skills and abilties
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism with all stakeholders.
- Compliance with the independent nature of the ME role
- Proactive, self-motivated and organised
Desirable
- Understanding of the upcoming changes to the ME service
- Competent in the use of IT software systems and handling sensitive personal identifiable data.
- Proficient in Microsoft word and Excel
- Evidence of good data analysis and interpretation
Experience
Essential
- 5 years post registration in clinical practice
- Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries.
Desirable
- Flexible working e.g shift swaps, on call cover
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- General knowledge of the statutory process around death certification legal frameworks and how the medical examiner system aligns with other related organisations and NHS initiatives
- General knowledge of the correct structure of causes of death on a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
- Understanding of the CJA in reference to the ME service and of various faith requirements
- Understanding of the coroners process and of natural and unatural causes of death
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Must be registered with the GMC
- Must have at least 5 years post registration experience as a practicing doctor
- Completed all free E- learning for healthcare ME training
- A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities
- The ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including the recently bereaved.
Skills and abilties
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism with all stakeholders.
- Compliance with the independent nature of the ME role
- Proactive, self-motivated and organised
Desirable
- Understanding of the upcoming changes to the ME service
- Competent in the use of IT software systems and handling sensitive personal identifiable data.
- Proficient in Microsoft word and Excel
- Evidence of good data analysis and interpretation
Experience
Essential
- 5 years post registration in clinical practice
- Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries.
Desirable
- Flexible working e.g shift swaps, on call cover
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).
