Medical Examiner

Overview

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. To scrutinise the certified causes of death offered by attending doctors in a way that is proportionate, consistent and compliant with the proposed national protocol. To discuss and explain the cause of death with next of kin/informants in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner.

• 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.
• To scrutinise the certified causes of death offered by attending doctors in a way that is proportionate, consistent and compliant with the proposed national protocol.
• To discuss and explain the cause of death with next of kin/informants in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner. It is anticipated that such discussions will be predominately conducted through telephone conversations where barriers to understanding information may exist.
• To ensure that all users of the ME system are treated with respect and are not discriminated against on the grounds of sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
• To maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis to provide information to the National Medical Examiner’s office.
• To participate in relevant clinical governance activities relating to death certification including audits, mortality review processes and investigations regarding formal complaints about patient care.
• To support the training of junior doctors in their understanding of death certification and promote good practice in accurate completion of MCCDs.
• To work with Medical Examiner Officers (MEOs), delegating duties as appropriate.
• To engage with lead ME and lead MEO for the region.
• To adopt a collaborative working relationship with other MEs by sharing experiences and expertise to support peer learning and set uniform standards of service delivery.

At the RUH we value people, support compassionate and inclusive environment, and are committed to staff wellbeing and professional development. This description focuses on the role and its requirements.

Essential criteria

• Registered with a licence to practice in the UK by the GMC.
• Knowledge of local and national clinical governance systems and an understanding of how the ME can work collaboratively to improve patient safety by identifying suboptimal clinical and organizational performance.

Desirable criteria

• Ability to identify data sources to support the detection and analysis of concerns and to recognize gaps in available knowledge.

Essential criteria

• Registered with a licence to practice in the UK by the GMC/5 years experience.

Desirable criteria

• Candidates must have successfully completed the mandatory e-learning modules by the time they start the role.

Right to work

Please note:

Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered unless an alternative right to work solution can be provided. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on  before applying.

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.