Medical Examiner

Job overview

Medical Examiner posts have 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.

The Medical Examiner is to act as an independent reviewer of patient deaths, to ensure referrals to the coroner are appropriate, to review the Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs) and liaise with the doctor or senior team members as appropriate and liaise with the bereaved relatives to explain the cause of death and take note of any concerns.

There is already a well-established Medical Examiner Service based at SFH NHS Foundation Trust which is comprised of part-time Medical Examiners and Medical Examiner Officers (providing administrative and managerial support).

There are 3 posts available at 1 PA per post. The working days available will be discussed at interview.

Main duties of the job

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.

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.

To discuss and explain the cause of death with next of kin/informants in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner.

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.

To maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis to provide information to the National ME office.

To participate in relevant clinical governance activities relating to death certification.

To support the training of resident doctors in their understanding of death certification and promote good practice in accurate completion of MCCDs.

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

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.

To ensure that there is adequate ME cover available by ensuring planned leave is notified to and agreed with the Medical Examiner Office.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a detailed description of the main duties and responsibilities please see attached job description and person specification.