Medical Examiner

Job description

Job summary

Context

Thispost has been created by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) inresponse to observations made in the Third Report of the Shipman Inquiry. The medical examiner system became astatutory service in 2024, with the aim of promoting a robust, transparent andindependent scrutiny of the deathcertification processes.

Dimensions of role

MedicalExaminers (MEs) are appropriately trained doctors who will verify clinicalinformation on Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs) and ensure thatthe right referrals are made to the coroner for further investigation. Apractising medical practitioner who has been on the general medical councilregister for a minimum of five years post registration can apply to be amedical examiner. It is recommended thatmedical examiners are consultant grade doctors from a range of disciplines (includingGP principals). MEs will take aconsistent approach to the formulation of MCCD content, which must beclinically accurate and reflect any discussions with the next ofkin/informant. MEs must not have beeninvolved in the care of the deceased patients for deaths they scrutinise.

Main duties of the job

Main duties

To ensure compliance with the legal andprocedural requirements associated with the current and proposed reformedprocesses of certification, investigation by coroners and registration ofdeaths for the deceased of all ages.

To scrutinise the certified causes of death offeredby attending doctors in a way that is proportionate, consistent and compliantwith the proposed national protocol.

To discuss and explain the cause of death with nextof kin/informants in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner. It is anticipated that such discussions willbe predominately conducted through telephone conversations where barriers tounderstanding information may exist.

To participate in relevant clinical governanceactivities relating to death certification including audits, mortality reviewprocesses and investigations regarding formal complaints about patient care.

To support the training of junior doctors intheir understanding of death certification and promote good practice inaccurate completion of MCCDs.

To work with medical examiner officers (MEOs),delegating duties as appropriate.

To engage with lead ME and lead MEO for theregion.

To adopt a collaborative working relationshipwith other MEs by sharing experiences and expertise to support peer learningand set uniform standards of service delivery.

To input into provider organisations learningfrom deaths programmes.

To participate in a MEO mentor programme, for support,personal and service development

About us

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a largeacute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acuteservices to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to alarger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services fromthree sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester

Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and ourcaring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centredcare. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people towork with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin oureveryday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Being open and honest

Ensuring people feel cared for

Showing respect to everyone

We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.

We are proud to have achieved Timewiseaccreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible workingwithin our organisation as a flex positive employer.

DBS Checks and Costs

Any applicants who are offered posts requiring aDBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check(at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in SupportingInformation section for more details on DBS checks and costs.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Knowledge and skills requiredfor post

Qualifications

Registeredwith a licence to practice in the UK by the GMC.

Asa pre-condition of practicing, an ME must have successfully completed themandatory components of the national online medical examiner curriculum. Face-to-face training must be completedwithin the first three months of being in post.

Behavioural attributes

MEsshould be aware of how their personal communication style impacts on others andbe able to adapt their approach to suit a variety of situations and audiences. This will require:

Highly evolved self-awareness and empatheticskills to liaise effectively and sympathetically with bereaved families.

The ability to demonstrate and combineappropriate levels of compassion with professionalism and discretion.

Being open to constructive criticism, ideas andsolutions.

Acting as a positive role model and interactingappropriately with all stakeholders including MEOs, other MEs, the bereaved andthe coroner.

Having the integrity to gain trust and complywith the independent nature of the ME role in the context of other clinicalspecialty duties.

Communicationsand key working relationships

To be a source of expert knowledge andadvice for health professionals and wider stakeholder groups; these include:

Medical Directors

All grades of clinicians

Clinical governance leads

MEOs and bereavement service staff.

Mortuary staff.

Coroners and their officers.

Registrar of births and deaths and theirofficers.

Local Authorities, including care homes andsafeguarding teams.

Spiritual and faith community leaders.

Lead MEs and lead MEOs

Regional and National Medical Examiner.

Knowledge

MEs must have up-to-date knowledge ofmedical conditions and treatments and be able to exercise judgement about whento seek specialist advice.

MEs must have detailed knowledge of therelevant legislation and processes which apply to:

The determination of whether a death is naturalor unnatural

Deaths that must be reported to the coroner

Deaths abroad where bodies are returned toEngland and Wales for disposal

Deaths where relatives wish to transport thebody abroad for disposal

Certifying and registering deaths and theregulations to authorise cremation or burials of stillbirths abroad.

Accountability

MEswill have professional independence in scrutinising deaths but will beaccountable to the employing organisations Board for achieving agreedstandards or levels of performance.

MEswill have an independent professional line of accountability to a regionalstructure of NHS Improvement/NHS England outside the employing organisation andimmediate line management structure.

MEswill comply with guidance issued by the National Medical Examiner when carryingout ME duties.

Safety and Quality Clinical Governance

MEswill be required to participate in any relevant governance activities relatingto scrutiny and confirmation of the cause of death where concerns have beenraised by the next of kin/informant of the deceased and/or clinical staff andME scrutiny.

MEswill facilitate routine analysis of MCCD information to identify trends,patterns and unusual features of deaths and report, as required, firstly to theregional Lead ME and ultimately to the NationalMedical Examiners office.

MEswill provide information to local Child Death Overview panels in respect of allchild deaths which are not being investigated by the coroner.

Maintaining Trust

Equalityand Diversity

MEswill act in accordance with Equalities and Human Rights legislation and theorganisations Equality and Diversity policies.

Independence

MEsmust avoid any potential conflicts of interest.In cases where they have a personal or professional relationship withthe deceased person, next of kin/informant, or with the attending doctorpreparing the MCCD, they must transfer any scrutiny of the death to another ME.

Continuing professionaldevelopment

MEsare expected to take responsibility for their own continuing professionaldevelopment in accordance with any standards for maintaining a GMC licence topractice and membership of any relevant professional body. The ME role should be included in the wholepractice appraisal.

MEsshould maintain a Personal Development Plan in agreement with their appraiser.

Therewill be opportunities to attend local and national activities to maintain up todate knowledge.

Working Conditions:

MEs may need to use a computer for prolonged periodsof time. The ME system operates within a reactive area of service deliveryinteracting with people in variable degrees of distress and demonstrating potentiallyirrational/unpredictable behaviour.

Job description
Job responsibilities

Knowledge and skills requiredfor post

Qualifications

Registeredwith a licence to practice in the UK by the GMC.

Asa pre-condition of practicing, an ME must have successfully completed themandatory components of the national online medical examiner curriculum. Face-to-face training must be completedwithin the first three months of being in post.

Behavioural attributes

MEsshould be aware of how their personal communication style impacts on others andbe able to adapt their approach to suit a variety of situations and audiences. This will require:

Highly evolved self-awareness and empatheticskills to liaise effectively and sympathetically with bereaved families.

The ability to demonstrate and combineappropriate levels of compassion with professionalism and discretion.

Being open to constructive criticism, ideas andsolutions.

Acting as a positive role model and interactingappropriately with all stakeholders including MEOs, other MEs, the bereaved andthe coroner.

Having the integrity to gain trust and complywith the independent nature of the ME role in the context of other clinicalspecialty duties.

Communicationsand key working relationships

To be a source of expert knowledge andadvice for health professionals and wider stakeholder groups; these include:

Medical Directors

All grades of clinicians

Clinical governance leads

MEOs and bereavement service staff.

Mortuary staff.

Coroners and their officers.

Registrar of births and deaths and theirofficers.

Local Authorities, including care homes andsafeguarding teams.

Spiritual and faith community leaders.

Lead MEs and lead MEOs

Regional and National Medical Examiner.

Knowledge

MEs must have up-to-date knowledge ofmedical conditions and treatments and be able to exercise judgement about whento seek specialist advice.

MEs must have detailed knowledge of therelevant legislation and processes which apply to:

The determination of whether a death is naturalor unnatural

Deaths that must be reported to the coroner

Deaths abroad where bodies are returned toEngland and Wales for disposal

Deaths where relatives wish to transport thebody abroad for disposal

Certifying and registering deaths and theregulations to authorise cremation or burials of stillbirths abroad.

Accountability

MEswill have professional independence in scrutinising deaths but will beaccountable to the employing organisations Board for achieving agreedstandards or levels of performance.

MEswill have an independent professional line of accountability to a regionalstructure of NHS Improvement/NHS England outside the employing organisation andimmediate line management structure.

MEswill comply with guidance issued by the National Medical Examiner when carryingout ME duties.

Safety and Quality Clinical Governance

MEswill be required to participate in any relevant governance activities relatingto scrutiny and confirmation of the cause of death where concerns have beenraised by the next of kin/informant of the deceased and/or clinical staff andME scrutiny.

MEswill facilitate routine analysis of MCCD information to identify trends,patterns and unusual features of deaths and report, as required, firstly to theregional Lead ME and ultimately to the NationalMedical Examiners office.

MEswill provide information to local Child Death Overview panels in respect of allchild deaths which are not being investigated by the coroner.

Maintaining Trust

Equalityand Diversity

MEswill act in accordance with Equalities and Human Rights legislation and theorganisations Equality and Diversity policies.

Independence

MEsmust avoid any potential conflicts of interest.In cases where they have a personal or professional relationship withthe deceased person, next of kin/informant, or with the attending doctorpreparing the MCCD, they must transfer any scrutiny of the death to another ME.

Continuing professionaldevelopment

MEsare expected to take responsibility for their own continuing professionaldevelopment in accordance with any standards for maintaining a GMC licence topractice and membership of any relevant professional body. The ME role should be included in the wholepractice appraisal.

MEsshould maintain a Personal Development Plan in agreement with their appraiser.

Therewill be opportunities to attend local and national activities to maintain up todate knowledge.

Working Conditions:

MEs may need to use a computer for prolonged periodsof time. The ME system operates within a reactive area of service deliveryinteracting with people in variable degrees of distress and demonstrating potentiallyirrational/unpredictable behaviour.

Person Specification

Communication and teamwork

Essential

• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently within own team and also closely with people in other disciplines
• Ability to work as part of a team and organise a fluctuating workload around competing priorities and numerous interruptions.

Personal qualities and behavioural attributes

Essential

• Proactive and self-motivated with a flexible working approach
• Have the resilience to manage own reaction to frequently distressing situations and support others within the team.
• To sustain professional integrity and independence at all times, particularly where there is the potential for a conflict of interest.

Safety and Quality - Clinical Governance

Essential

• 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.
• Ability to identify available data sources to support the detection and analysis of concerns and to recognise gaps in available knowledge.
• Ability to identify and disseminate examples of good practice amongst relevant colleagues.

Qualifications

Essential

• Medical practitioner registered and licensed to practise in the UK by the GMC.
• A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities.
• Candidates must have successfully completed the mandatory e-learning modules by the time they start the role. Candidates must attend a face-to-face training session within the first three months in post.
• MEs should have up-to-date knowledge of causes of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certification processes.
• IT skills including use of email and commonly used software.
• Ability to manage and comply with sensitive information-based processes under tight timescales with a proportionate approach.
• Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity

Person Specification
Communication and teamwork

Essential

• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently within own team and also closely with people in other disciplines
• Ability to work as part of a team and organise a fluctuating workload around competing priorities and numerous interruptions.

Personal qualities and behavioural attributes

Essential

• Proactive and self-motivated with a flexible working approach
• Have the resilience to manage own reaction to frequently distressing situations and support others within the team.
• To sustain professional integrity and independence at all times, particularly where there is the potential for a conflict of interest.

Safety and Quality - Clinical Governance

Essential

• 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.
• Ability to identify available data sources to support the detection and analysis of concerns and to recognise gaps in available knowledge.
• Ability to identify and disseminate examples of good practice amongst relevant colleagues.

Qualifications

Essential

• Medical practitioner registered and licensed to practise in the UK by the GMC.
• A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities.
• Candidates must have successfully completed the mandatory e-learning modules by the time they start the role. Candidates must attend a face-to-face training session within the first three months in post.
• MEs should have up-to-date knowledge of causes of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certification processes.
• IT skills including use of email and commonly used software.
• Ability to manage and comply with sensitive information-based processes under tight timescales with a proportionate approach.
• Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity

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.
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

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.
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Employer details

Employer name

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

United Kingdom

Employer's website