The Medical Examiner (ME) system was introduced in 2019 by the Department of Health and Social Care in response to the recommendations of the Shipman Enquiry which called for reform of the death certification process. The role of the Medical Examiner is to promote robust and transparent scrutiny of the death certification process through independent review of clinical case notes and confirmation of cause of death in all patients. The service is now required to expand to include the review of all deaths in the local health community of West Northamptonshire - covering primary care and community and mental health Trusts.

Main duties of the job

• The role requires knowledge and experience of the statutory process around death certification, legal frameworks and the relationship between the ME service and other related organisations including Coroner's office and Registration service.
• scrutinise the clinical notes and certified causes of death offered by attending doctors in a way that is proportionate, consistent and compliant with the proposed national protocol;
• discuss and explain the cause of death with the next of kin/informants in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner (predominantly conducted through telephone conversations);
• maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis to provide information to the National Medical Examiner's office;
• participate in relevant clinical governance activities relating to death certification including audits, mortality review processes and investigations regarding formal complaints about patient care;

About us

MEs will have professional independence in scrutinising deaths but will be accountable to the employing organisation's Board for achieving agreed standards or levels of performance.

MEs will have an independent professional line of accountability to a regional structure of NHS improvement /NHS England outside the employing organisation and immediate line management

Job description
Job responsibilities

Please see job description and person specification attached for further information about the role and responsibilities.

Person Specification
education and training
Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant experience
• Completed e learning ME core training and attend face to face training within 3 months

Desirable

• Management qualification/post graduate diploma

knowledge and experience
Essential

• Medical Practitioner registered and licensed to practise in the UK by the GMC
• 5 years since completion of specialist training
• Knowledge of local and national governance systems and an understanding of how an ME can work collaboratively to improve patient safety by identifying suboptimal clinical and organisational performance
• Knowledge of special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity

Desirable

• Experience of dealing with the public and other organisations

skills
Essential

• IT skills to include use of email and commonly used software
• Ability to assimilate information quickly and summarise succinctly
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to manage conflict
• Ability to identify and disseminate examples of good practice amongst colleagues
• Ability to engage and motivate others
• Able to establish effective working relationships

personal qualities and attributes
Essential

• Effective team player, working effectively within own team and with other disciplines
• Professional and approachable manner with ability to maintain professional integrity and independence at times when there is potential conflict of interest
• Proactive and self-motivated with a flexible approach and ability to organise a fluctuating workload around competing priorities and interruptions
• Calm under pressure and emotionally robust, able to manage own reactions in distressing circumstances and support others in the team
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism
• Committed to lifelong learning and undertaking own personal and professional development

BMJRef: BMJ-60589/265-3849604