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Main area: Medical Examiner Grade NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Part time - 1 session per week (Mon 1-5pm, Wed 1-5pm, Fri 1-5pm)
Job ref: 279-MWRSCHMEDEXAM-409
Employer: 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Royal Sussex County Hospital/Princess Royal County Hospital
Town: Brighton/Haywards Heath
Salary: £105,504 - £139,882 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 05/02/2025 23:59
Job overview
This post has been created by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in response to observations made in the Third Report of the Shipman Inquiry. The introduction of the medical examiner system will promote robust, transparent and independent scrutiny of death certification processes.
Medical examiners (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 practising medical practitioner who has been on the General Medical Council register for a minimum of five years post-registration can apply to be a medical examiner. 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.
Main duties of the job
1. The determination of whether a death is natural or unnatural
2. Deaths that must be reported to the coroner
3. Deaths abroad where bodies are returned to England and Wales for disposal
4. Deaths where relatives wish to transport the body abroad for disposal
5. Certifying and registering deaths and the regulations to authorise cremation or burials of stillbirths abroad
6. Attend mandatory training updates as required
7. Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process
8. Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales
9. Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
10. Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work-life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. To maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis to provide information to the National Medical Examiner’s office.
6. To participate in relevant clinical governance activities relating to death certification including audits, mortality review processes and investigations regarding formal complaints about patient care.
7. To support the training of junior doctors in their understanding of death certification and promote good practice in accurate completion of MCCDs.
8. To work with medical examiner officers (MEOs), delegating duties as appropriate.
9. To engage with lead ME and lead MEO for the region.
10. 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.
Person specification
Experience / Qualifications
* Full GMC Registration with a licence to practice
* Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register or GP Register
* Completion of Royal College of Pathologists Medical Examiner e-learning training
* Completion of Royal College of Pathologists face to face Medical Examiner training
Knowledge
* Appropriate level of clinical knowledge / up to date
* Breadth of experience in and outside specialty
Organisation and Planning
* Experience and ability to work in multi-professional teams
* Understanding of: NHS / Clinical governance / Resource constraints
* Evidence of managerial skills: Achievements / Course attended
Teaching Skills
* Evidence of an interest and commitment to teaching
* Recognised teaching qualification
Academic and Research
* Evidence of participation in audit
* Prizes and honours
* Appropriate progression of career to date
Personal Attributes
* Good communication skills both oral and written
Important information for applicants
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for those that meet the Visa and Immigration eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker.
Closing adverts early: Please apply as early as you're able for this role. In the event of exceptional interest we may close adverts earlier than specified.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.
Further Information
For help with the application process for non-medical vacancies only, please contact the Resourcing Team by Email: uhsussex.non-medicalvacancies@nhs.net
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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