To support Medical Examiners in their role in scrutinising the circumstances and causes of death. To be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals and Coroner and Registration services.
* To act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patient’s death. Work with Medical Examiners to aid them in their responsibility for overseeing the death certification process for all deceased patients in the organisation.
* To establish the circumstances of individual patient deaths by performing a preliminary review of medical records to identify clinical and circumstantial information, sourcing additional details where required, for scrutiny by the medical examiner.
* To assist in highlighting cases for assessment by the Structured Judgement Review team (SJR), Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP), Clinical Governance teams and the Learning Disability Review Teams (LeDeR).
* To send Medical Certificate of cause of death (MCCD) to registration services and discuss causes of death with the bereaved.
* Maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of users of the medical examiner system to ensure equality to any particular group defined by sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
* The Medical Examiner Officer at Stockport NHS FT and East Cheshire Trust will support the Medical Examiner team with the roll out and implementation of the service across Stockport, East Cheshire and High Peak.
We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.
Our mission is to make a difference every day. Our values are that we care, we respect, and we listen.
We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.
We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.
We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.
The salary for the role is only one part of the excellent package of benefits we offer to you:
* Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
* NHS pension scheme membership
* Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
* NHS Staff discounts
* Cycle to work scheme
* Salary finance – for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
* Stockport Credit Union– for local financial advice
The Medical Examiners Team is based at Stepping Hill Hospital and Macclesfield District General Hospital on a rota basis.
We are a hard working, experienced team from a variety of backgrounds. You can be assured that you will be fully supported as you work to become accredited as an MEO.
It is a highly responsible, challenging and involved role which will require close teamwork with the existing MEO's, ME's and Bereavement Team. Whilst the role can be demanding it is also hugely rewarding.
This is an exciting time to join the team as the service has expanded to cover community deaths within Stockport, East Cheshire and High Peak.
* Act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patient’s death.
* Work with Medical Examiners to aid them in their responsibility for overseeing the death certification process for all deceased patients.
* Carry out the initial screening of medical notes of deceased patients to identify cases that clearly requires referral to the coroner on approval from the ME.
* Establish the circumstances of individual patient deaths by performing a preliminary review of medical records to identify clinical and circumstantial information, sourcing additional details where required, for scrutiny by the Medical Examiner.
* Work with the ME(s) to ensure proper and proportionate scrutiny of medical records.
* Discuss the findings of the ME on medical cause of death with the qualified attending practitioners.
* Ensure any concerns raised by the relatives are passed on the ME in a timely fashion before the MCCD is released to relatives.
* Discuss the content of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) with relatives of the deceased and in all cases, collect additional information. This may include the need to communicate sensitive information and offer explanations.
* To assist in highlighting cases for assessment by the Structured Judgement Review team (SJR), Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP), Clinical Governance teams and the Learning Disability Review Teams (LeDeR).
* Offer support and pastoral care to families and colleagues and to facilitate effective communication between families and health care professionals alongside Bereavement Office staff.
* Assist relatives in identifying appropriate information and additional / further advice and support e.g. Patient Advice Liaison Service contacts, Bereavement Office information.
* Establish clear and effective channels for communicating and co-operating with all departments, wards, and relevant professionals.
* Participate in the development and introduction of protocols, guidelines, and policy as appropriate.
* Manage own workload ensuring project timescales are adhered to.
* Continually monitor one’s own performance in the provision of care; ensuring professional standards are met at all times.
* Maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of users of the medical examiner system to ensure equality to any particular group defined by sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
Management
Provide documentation and quality data as required for audit and evaluation.
Provide surveillance data for the Lead Medical Examiner Officer as required.
Attend departmental meetings as required.
Education
Participate in education and training appropriate to the role, including trust mandatory training.
Participate in sharing outcomes of the reforms though the publication of papers and presentations of findings at a local and national level.
Governance
Maintain a safe environment with due regard to the Trust Health and Safety & risk management policies and procedures.
Follow the Trust complaints policy, ensuring solutions are achieved and learning is shared and disseminated as appropriate.
Initiate evidence-based practice and update own knowledge related to current practice.
Participate in audit activity.
Professional and Legal Standards
Maintain accurate records having due regard to legal aspects, confidentiality, and managerial information / project requirements.
Maintain an effective and valid professional registration.
Fulfil the role in accordance with the relevant Code of Professional Conduct.
Seek regular appropriate supervision and to participate in regular process of appraisal, monitoring own performance, ensuring professional standards are met at all times.
Maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of users of the Medical Examiner system to ensure equality.
Knowledge skills and experience
Bachelor's degree or evidence of study at a higher level or equivalent experience.
IT skills - Microsoft excel, Word.
Ability to work across professional boundaries with medical staff in different specialities.
Completed E-LfH MEO training (or within 3 months of start date).
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Highly evolved empathetic and self-awareness skills.
Understanding of medical terminology.
Knowledge of the statutory process around death certification legal frameworks and how the medical examiner system aligns with other related organisations and NHS initiatives.
Specialist knowledge of various faith groups’ funeral wishes/practices.
Communications
Act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patient’s death.
Deal with bereaved families who may have barriers to understanding information due to their grief or disability.
Understanding medical terminology to enable informed discussions about causes/circumstances of death with bereaved families, clinicians, coroner and registration service staff.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trust’s policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.
If successful this vacancy will require a Standard DBS check at a cost of £26.50. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salary. In addition to this it will be a condition of your employment that you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £13.
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