Medical Examiner

Job overview

Medical Examiners are senior medical doctors from all specialties, both in hospital and community who are contracted for a number of sessions a week outside of their usual clinical duties to perform review and scrutiny of all non-coronial deaths.

Role (s)
1.    Perform proportionate scrutiny of the case by reviewing the case notes, interrogating historical patient notes where appropriate and speaking to the qualified attending practitioner (QAP).
2.    Agree to the proposed cause of death and accuracy of the Medical Certificate for the Cause of Death (MCCD).
3.    Establish whether the case warrants referral to HM Coroner for further action.
4.    Offer medical advice (but not act as an expert witness) to HM Coroner.
5.    Discuss cause of death with the deceased nominated contact in conjunction with the Medical Examiner Officers (MEO) when appropriate.
6.    Establish whether the case needs internal referral to patient safety or specialty morbidity and mortality meetings.
7.    Report any identified tren

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

Working for our organisation

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

 As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

1.Medical examiners perform a scrutiny of the notes of all deceased patients, they discuss the proposed cause of death with the attending team and they explain the cause of death to the bereaved families and ascertain if there are any family concerns. Medical Examiners can also help to identify whether a case requires referral to the Coroner's Office.

2.Medical examiners will be based within and employed by the Trust but will have an external reporting line via the regional ME. They will promote robust, transparent and independent scrutiny of the death certification process and ensure that the correct referrals are made to the Coroner. They will work closely with the Coroners and Registrars of Deaths

3. Contribute to the improvement of the Medical Examiner service

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

1.Registered with a licence to practice in the UK by the GMC.

2.As a pre-condition of practicing, an ME must have successfully completed the mandatory components of the national online Medical Examiner curriculum.

3. Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team, which includes non-clinical Medical Examiner Officers

We would welcome applications from GP, community-based doctors and consultants

Person specification

Qualifcations and training

Essential criteria

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• You must be a medical practitioner registered and licensed to practise in the UK by the GMC for at least 5 years.

Previous or relevant experience

Essential criteria

• Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
• Must successfully complete the mandatory e-learning modules by the time they start the role
• Must attend a face-to face training session within the first six months in post
• Medical examiners should have up-to-date knowledge of the cause of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certification processes
• 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

Aptitudes and skills

Essential criteria

• Demonstrate the ability to be calm, compassionate, and able to respond efficiently to various circumstances, which may change rapidly
• Evidence of participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching

Special Requirements of the post

Essential criteria

• Ability to participate on on-call rota/providing weekend and Bank Holiday nominal cover

Living the Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values: Patients First, Always Improving, Working Together

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.