An exciting opportunity has arisen for a passionate, innovative, enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to join our existing team in the Medical Examiner Office at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The purpose of the service is to provide independent oversight and safeguards for the scrutiny of all non-coronial deaths.
Previous applicants need not apply.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will work closely alongside the existing team of Medical Examiner Officers and Medical Examiners in the scrutiny of deceased patients' medical records within the Trust ensuring the provision of a high quality, robust Medical Examiner Service underpinned by National guidance.
The successful applicant should have a good working knowledge of the medical examiner system and the coronial process and how the two interact. A good knowledge and understanding of medical terminology and diagnoses surrounding causes of death are key to the role, and good communication skills are essential when dealing with relatives of the deceased and medical staff.
The successful applicant will have a role in reviewing patient care and collecting important information in preparation for the Medical Examiners to carry out their scrutiny.
The Medical Examiner Officers will be expected to develop and adapt as the role evolves, including extending their practice into the non-acute sector, when the medical examiner service becomes statutory.
Experience in dealing with bereaved families will be highly beneficial for this role. Full training and support will be offered with regular supervision and networking opportunities with other Medical Examiner Officers through the Regional Medical Examiner Officer.
About us
We are committed to delivering the highest quality and safest treatment and care to every patient, every time. We will always be patient-centred, fair, collaborative, accountable and empower our patients and colleagues. The best for patient safety, quality and experience.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Medical Examiner Officer role is an integral post within the Trust relating to the Learning from Deaths workstream. The post holder will support the Head of Bereavement / Medical Examiner Services and the Medical Examiners in their role in scrutinising the circumstances and cause of death for all deaths within the Trust working with the Trust Medical Examiner and colleagues within the Bereavement Office.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust has approximately 3000 patient deaths per year, which in line with national guidance require review from the Medical Examiner. The post holder will support the Medical Examiner, working in collaboration with healthcare professionals to ensure accurate and appropriate processes are in place for the review of patient deaths. In addition, the post holder will be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals, His Majesty's Coroner and registration services.
The post holder will be responsible for establishing and sustaining an effective and responsive service.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
* To have an understanding of medical terminology that enables informed discussions about causes/circumstances of death with bereaved families, clinicians, coroners and registration services.
* Knowledge of the statutory process around death certification legal frameworks and how the medical examiner system aligns with other related organisations and NHS initiatives.
* Knowledge of medical examiner system and how this aligns with the national agenda.
* Knowledge of the NHS Improvement Learning from Deaths process.
* Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009 reference to the medical examiner system.
Desirable
* Specialist knowledge of various faith groups funeral wishes/ practices to enable respectful compliance with specific timescales and procedures.
Skills & behaviours
Essential
* Highly evolved empathetic and self-awareness skills to liaise with bereaved families.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to liaise with senior managers and consultants offering guidance and interpretation of complex information.
* The ability to work in a highly pressurised, unpredictable environment where bereavement care is central to the service delivery.
* Work collaboratively with a range of clinical and non-clinical staff to ensure effective processes are embedded.
Other Criteria
Essential
* Planning and time management skills, able to prioritise and schedule tasks and activities, to meet deadlines, adjusting these plans as necessary to address more urgent work requests.
* Excellent computer literacy skills with the ability to use a range of IT software, including Microsoft Office and clinical systems.
Qualifications
Essential
* Educated to degree level or equivalent level of experience.
* Having completed or willing to undertake national training relating to the medical examiner officer role.
Desirable
* Clinical Qualification (Registered Nurse, Paramedic etc).
* Completed Royal College of Pathology Medical Examiner Core Modules.
Employer details
Employer name
Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Address
St. James's University Hospital
Beckett Street
Leeds
LS9 7TF
Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.
C9298-MDI-0123A #J-18808-Ljbffr