Medical Examiner Officer inGillingham inGillingham PUBLISHED TUE 19 NOV 2024

Band 5: £29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum pro rata PERMANENT GOOD SALARY

NHS

Medway NHS Foundation Trust r4SHtV4X

Valuable Impact, Being at the center of the medical examiner system allows Medical Examiner Officers to contribute significantly to improving death certification processes and patient safety.

Professional Development, The role provides opportunities for continued learning and development within the healthcare sector, particularly in understanding complex medical/legal matters.

Supportive Environment, Working closely with skilled Medical Examiners and healthcare professionals offers a collaborative atmosphere and guidance, especially when handling sensitive information.

Job Security, With the expansion of the Medical Examiner System mandated by health authorities, the demand for Medical Examiner Officers is likely to increase, offering long-term job stability.

Meaningful Interactions, The role involves direct communication with bereaved relatives, allowing Medical Examiner Officers to provide support during challenging times, which can be personally fulfilling.

Commitment to Diversity, The organization promotes an inclusive culture ensuring fair treatment for all applicants, making it a supportive workplace for diverse backgrounds.

The Medical Examiner Officer (MEO) role at Medway NHS Foundation Trust in Gillingham is essential for ensuring a transparent and independent scrutiny of death certification processes in response to the Shipman Inquiry. The MEO will support Medical Examiners in accurately managing medical certificates of cause of death (MCCD), identifying cases for Coroner referrals, and acting as a liaison for bereaved relatives and healthcare professionals. This position involves performing preliminary reviews of medical records, collecting additional information, and addressing relatives' concerns, all while maintaining a compassionate approach.

Candidates should possess resilience and the ability to handle a demanding workload, as the MEO may encounter distressing details. The Trust emphasises its values of boldness, inclusivity, and collaboration, and seeks individuals who align with these principles. The role is part of a broader commitment to enhancing patient care and supporting the needs of healthcare staff and families during difficult times.

Medical Examiner Officer

Division: Corporate

Care Group: Medical Directorate

Band: 5

Salary: £29,970 - £36,483 per annum pro rata

We are recruiting for a Medical Examiner Officerwho shares our ambition and vision to deliver the Best of Care by the Best People and has the drive to take us forward, by ensuring that the Trust continues to be the first choice for patients and our staff.

The Medical Examiner System 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 purpose of the medical examiner system is to promote robust, transparent and independent scrutiny of death certification processes.

Medical Examiner Officers are at the heart of the success of a Medical Examiner Office. They support Medical Examiners (specifically trained independent senior doctors) to ensure appropriate referrals to the Coroner and accuracy and consistency of MCCD content and are a point of contact for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals and coroner and registration services.

The ME Office at Medway began scrutinising acute deaths in July 2020 and have expanded the service to all non-coronial deaths in line with the statutory system which commenced on September

9th 2024.

Our values are Bold, Every Person Counts, Sharing and Open and Together. It is important that you understand and to refer to our values when completing your application and always reflect our values throughout your employment with the Trust.

We are committed to endorsing diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion; our policies / procedures ensure that all applicants are treated fairly at every stage of the recruitment process.

To contribute to our exciting future and become part of our team, apply today.

About us
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. Assist in highlighting cases that require referral to the Coroner and discuss with bereaved relatives why this might be necessary.

To assist in highlighting cases for assessment by the Structured Judgement Review team (SJR), Clinical Governance teams and the Learning Disability Review Teams (LeDeR).

To discuss likely content of medical certificate of cause of death with relatives of deceased and in all cases, collect additional information. This may include the need to communicate sensitive information and offer explanations but would be fully supported by the Medical Examiner of the day and the lead MEO.

To ensure any concerns raised by the relatives are dealt with in a timely manner and forwarded to the appropriate support service such as Patient Safety or Patient Experience for further investigation or input.

The nature of our work means you can be exposed to distressing and upsetting detail. The role of the MEO can be demanding with a sizable workload and requires an applicant with resilience and the ability to cope under pressure amongst their skill set.

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The National Health Service (NHS) is a cornerstone of healthcare in the United Kingdom, established in 1948 with the simple yet profound principle of providing healthcare to all citizens, free at the point of use. This revolutionary system aimed to ensure that access to medical services would not depend on an individual’s financial situation, a concept that has since become fundamental to British societal values. Learn more...

Useful skills for a Medical Examiner Officer: Click to view

To work as a Medical Examiner Officer (MEO) in the UK, you need a combination of educational qualifications, relevant skills, and personal attributes. Here are the key skills and qualifications required for the role:

Educational Qualifications

1. Medical Background: A healthcare-related degree such as medicine, nursing, or biomedical science. Some positions may require a medical degree.

2. Postgraduate Training: Completion of relevant postgraduate training or qualifications can be beneficial. This may include training in pathology, forensic medicine, or public health.

Essential Skills

1. Medical Knowledge: Strong understanding of medical terminology, human anatomy, and disease processes.

2. Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with families, healthcare professionals, and legal entities.

3. Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze medical records and documentation, assess causes of death, and draw conclusions based on evidence.

4. Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and attention to detail when documenting findings and preparing reports.

5. Emotional Resilience: Ability to deal with sensitive situations and provide support to grieving families while maintaining professionalism.

6. Organizational Skills: Strong organizational abilities to manage multiple cases and prioritize tasks effectively.

7. Interpersonal Skills: Building rapport with families, medical staff, and other stakeholders in a compassionate manner.

8. Technical Skills: Proficiency in using electronic health record systems and other relevant technology.

Additional Qualities

1. Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to think critically and approach complex situations logically.

2. Teamwork: Capability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

3. Ethical Judgment: Strong sense of ethics and professionalism, particularly when handling sensitive and confidential information.

4. Compliance and Regulatory Awareness: Understanding of legal and regulatory requirements related to death certification and investigation processes.

Experience

- Relevant Experience: Experience in a clinical or healthcare setting, or in roles involving medical assessments, is often preferred.

- Internships/Training: Participation in internships, training courses, or shadowing programs related to forensic medicine can be advantageous.