Job summary
We are seeking to appoint a suitable candidate who is innovative, self-motivated and driven to improve patient care and outcomes. Candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the National Medical Examiner system and the Learning from Death strategy, experience in working in a health care setting in a multidisciplinary environment, experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations and experience of supporting and implementing change.
Please note, the working hours per week are 22.5.
Interviews are scheduled to take place on 1st February 2024.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as part of a small team with the primarilyresponsible for ensuring that following the death of a patient in Hospital,relatives receive clear guidance about what to do next by providing anefficient, yet sensitive service. The post holder will be expected tocommunicate with relatives compassionately and tactfully, particularly inthose cases requiring post-mortem examination and Coroners inquest. They will be responsible for ensuring that doctors complete the appropriate documentation promptly by liaising with all relevant parties.
The post holder will support medical examiners in their role in scrutinising thecircumstances and causes of death. To be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals and coronerand registration services.
About us
We provide care and support to over a million people in
Wakefield and Kirklees in their homes, community settings and across our
three hospital sites at Pontefract, Dewsbury and Pinderfields (Wakefield).
Always striving for excellence, we are at the forefront of
innovation and research, and we invest in teaching and the development of our
workforce.
We live by our values of caring, improving, being respectful
and maintaining high standards. We listen and learn because we aim to make Mid
Yorkshire the best place to work and receive care.
We value diversity and welcome talent and enthusiasm
irrespective of age, disability, neurodivergence, sex, gender identity and
gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation,
or other personal circumstances including providing unpaid carers support to
someone with a health and care need. As ethnic minority groups, members of the
LGBTQ+ community, and people with a disability/neurodivergence are currently
under-represented across the organisation, we encourage applications from
members of these groups. We have policies and procedures to ensure all
applicants are treated fairly and consistently.
We are proud of our staff networks - who offer valuable
guidance and feedback from those with lived experience.
We have a clear vision and you could be part of this! If
you share our values and you want to make a difference to the lives of our
patients and their families and carers, we would love to hear from you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job responsibilities
To act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patients death. Work with medical examiners to aid them in their responsibility for overseeing the death certification process for all deceased patients within the mid Yorkshire and North Kirklees area.
To establish the circumstances of individual patient deaths by performing a preliminary review of medical records to identify clinical and circumstantial information, sourcing additional details where required, for scrutiny by the medical examiner.
To provide advice to medical staff on the correct completion of Medical Certificates and Cremation Forms, especially in relation to the cause of death offered.
To refer patients to the Coroner for further investigation on approval by the Medical Examiner.
To assist in highlighting cases for assessment by the Structured Judgement Review team (SJR), Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP), Clinical Governance teams and the Learning Disability Review Teams (LeDeR).
Arrange meetings between relatives and medical staff for the purpose of discussing the medical certificate. The post holder is expected to be able to assist with various other queries the relatives may have.
Facilitate the prompt completion of cremation forms by liaising with medical and ward staff and, to advice medical staff when a death needs reporting to the Coroner.
Participate in weekend/bank holiday extended hours service on a rota basis providing essential services for urgent release of bodies.
Participate in the writing of departmental Standard
Operational Procedures and the processes involved in scheduled audits.
Utilise information technology skills when required to access the hospital PAS system, departmental database, Microsoft Word and e-mail.
Adhere at all times to the Trusts policy on patient confidentiality
Maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of users of the Medical Examiner system to ensure equality to any particular group defined by sex,race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment ordisability.
To maintain the DATIX system ensuring all relevantinformation is uploaded.
To ensure that adequate supply of statutory documents are maintained.
Any other duties required by the service and line manager appropriate to the grade
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job responsibilities
To act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patients death. Work with medical examiners to aid them in their responsibility for overseeing the death certification process for all deceased patients within the mid Yorkshire and North Kirklees area.
To establish the circumstances of individual patient deaths by performing a preliminary review of medical records to identify clinical and circumstantial information, sourcing additional details where required, for scrutiny by the medical examiner.
To provide advice to medical staff on the correct completion of Medical Certificates and Cremation Forms, especially in relation to the cause of death offered.
To refer patients to the Coroner for further investigation on approval by the Medical Examiner.
To assist in highlighting cases for assessment by the Structured Judgement Review team (SJR), Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP), Clinical Governance teams and the Learning Disability Review Teams (LeDeR).
Arrange meetings between relatives and medical staff for the purpose of discussing the medical certificate. The post holder is expected to be able to assist with various other queries the relatives may have.
Facilitate the prompt completion of cremation forms by liaising with medical and ward staff and, to advice medical staff when a death needs reporting to the Coroner.
Participate in weekend/bank holiday extended hours service on a rota basis providing essential services for urgent release of bodies.
Participate in the writing of departmental Standard
Operational Procedures and the processes involved in scheduled audits.
Utilise information technology skills when required to access the hospital PAS system, departmental database, Microsoft Word and e-mail.
Adhere at all times to the Trusts policy on patient confidentiality
Maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of users of the Medical Examiner system to ensure equality to any particular group defined by sex,race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment ordisability.
To maintain the DATIX system ensuring all relevantinformation is uploaded.
To ensure that adequate supply of statutory documents are maintained.
Any other duties required by the service and line manager appropriate to the grade
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations.
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries.
- General knowledge of clinical/medical terminology.
- Works autonomously and freedom to make decisions.
- Planning and organising own work to meet tight timescales and supporting others to prioritise tasks.
- Problem solving and providing solutions.
- Pressurised customer service environment.
- Establishing a range of effective working relationships.
- Following legal or other compliance processes.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity of issues around formalities following a death.
- Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009 reference to the Medical Examiner system. Full understanding of the Medical Examiner system operational remit when incorporated within Bereavement Services or as a stand-alone office.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Highly evolved empathetic and self-awareness skills to deal with bereaved families who may have barriers to understanding information due to their grief or disability.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to work in a highly pressurised, unpredictable environment where bereavement care is central to the service delivery.
- Computer literate to use multiple IT software for recording personal identifiable data and producing statistical information for the National Medical Examiners office and Public Health surveillance.
- Attention to detail when completing statutory and non-statutory documentation.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the Trusts different PAS systems and reporting systems.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Proactive and self-motivated.
- Ability to deputise for Senior MEO often at short notice.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Approachable and supportive to all levels of staff and bereaved families in a non-judgemental and discreet manner.
- Professional appearance, manner and awareness of impact of own behaviour on others.
- Ability to maintain a calm manner in a range of challenging and emotive circumstances.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification or extensive experience of working in a bereavement service supported by evidence of further education or learning.
- A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities.
- The ability communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including the recently bereaved.
- Completed e-learning Medical Examiner Officer core training modules prior to starting in the post.
Knowledge and Awareness
Essential
- Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism with all stakeholders.
- Ability to work as part of a team and organise fluctuating workload around competing priorities.
- Competent in the use of IT software systems and handling sensitive personal identifiable data.
- Knowledge of the legal requirements of the registration of death process.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations.
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries.
- General knowledge of clinical/medical terminology.
- Works autonomously and freedom to make decisions.
- Planning and organising own work to meet tight timescales and supporting others to prioritise tasks.
- Problem solving and providing solutions.
- Pressurised customer service environment.
- Establishing a range of effective working relationships.
- Following legal or other compliance processes.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity of issues around formalities following a death.
- Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009 reference to the Medical Examiner system. Full understanding of the Medical Examiner system operational remit when incorporated within Bereavement Services or as a stand-alone office.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Highly evolved empathetic and self-awareness skills to deal with bereaved families who may have barriers to understanding information due to their grief or disability.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to work in a highly pressurised, unpredictable environment where bereavement care is central to the service delivery.
- Computer literate to use multiple IT software for recording personal identifiable data and producing statistical information for the National Medical Examiners office and Public Health surveillance.
- Attention to detail when completing statutory and non-statutory documentation.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the Trusts different PAS systems and reporting systems.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Proactive and self-motivated.
- Ability to deputise for Senior MEO often at short notice.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Approachable and supportive to all levels of staff and bereaved families in a non-judgemental and discreet manner.
- Professional appearance, manner and awareness of impact of own behaviour on others.
- Ability to maintain a calm manner in a range of challenging and emotive circumstances.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification or extensive experience of working in a bereavement service supported by evidence of further education or learning.
- A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities.
- The ability communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including the recently bereaved.
- Completed e-learning Medical Examiner Officer core training modules prior to starting in the post.
Knowledge and Awareness
Essential
- Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism with all stakeholders.
- Ability to work as part of a team and organise fluctuating workload around competing priorities.
- Competent in the use of IT software systems and handling sensitive personal identifiable data.
- Knowledge of the legal requirements of the registration of death process.
Additional information
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).
