Job overview
The West Dorset Medical Examiner Service (WDMES) is looking to recruit 2 full time Medical Examiner Officers to cover maternity leave of existing staff members. The two positions will be fixed term contracts with start and end dates to be confirmed.
The Service is based at Dorset County Hospital, providing independent review of all non-Coronial deaths in the West of Dorset for both the Hospital and in the Community.
The Medical Examiner Officers will support Medical Examiners in their role in scrutinising the circumstances surrounding causes of death, to act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patient’s death, and be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals, His Majesty’s Coroner and Registration Services.
The Medical Examiner Officers (MEOs) will be part of an existing team acting as experts in death certification and scrutiny of Non-Coronial deaths, assisting in highlighting cases for assessment by the Structured Judgement Review team, Child Death Overview Panel, Clinical Governance Teams and the Learning Disability Review Teams.
There is significant emotional effort associated with dealing with bereaved families.
Main duties of the job
To undertake a wide ranging a multifactorial initial review of medical records (paper and electronic), supporting the Medical Examiner in their scrutiny.
To analyse and assist in highlighting cases for assessment in respect of maternal and child death, safeguarding, Learning Disability (LeDeR) cases, and those requiring review under the Serious Incident reporting process.
To ensure cases are referred to the Structured Judgement Review (SJR) Process if required.
To maintain robust electronic records of all deaths, aligning with current information systems in place. This requires use of a computer for extended periods of time daily to undertake complex data input and analysis.
Working for our organisation
The Medical Examiner Service is a statutory, independent service, hosted by DCHFT. At present, there are 3 full-time Medical Examiner Officers who assist 9 Medical Examiners in their role in scrutinising all non-coronial deaths in West Dorset. Medical Examiners work part-time, with a maximum of 2 per day.
The Medical Examiner Officers are integral to the effective operation of the department, ensuring continuity of service and coordination following the death of each person. They are jointly managed by the Mortuary & Bereavement Services Manager and the Lead Medical Examiner.
WDMES sits within the Mortuary & Bereavement Services Department, and there is a requirement to undertake DCHFT Mandatory Training.
At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE
To support Medical Examiners in their role in scrutinising the circumstances surrounding causes of death.
To act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patient’s death.
To be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals, His Majesty’s Coroner and Registration Services.
The Medical Examiner Officer (MEO) will be part of an existing team acting as experts in death certification and scrutiny of Non-Coronial deaths.
To assist in highlighting cases for assessment by the Structured Judgement Review team, Child Death Overview Panel, Clinical Governance Teams and the Learning Disability Review Teams
To refer patients to the Coroner for further investigation on approval by the Medical Examiner.
There is significant emotional effort associated with dealing with bereaved families.
DIMENSIONS
To undertake a wide ranging a multifactorial initial review of medical records (paper and electronic), supporting the Medical Examiner in their scrutiny.
To analyse and assist in highlighting cases for assessment in respect of maternal and child death, safeguarding, Learning Disability (LeDeR) cases, and those requiring review under the Serious Incident reporting process.
To ensure cases are referred to the Structured Judgement Review (SJR) Process if required.
Monitor data quality and take the necessary action to address the issues identified.
COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
To work with MEs to aid them in their responsibility for overseeing the death certification process for all deceased patients in the organisation
To interact with bereaved relatives in person or over the telephone
To identify any concerns relatives may have and escalate appropriately. To refer any concerns raised by families which are not resolved in discussion with the Medical Examiner/Medical Examiner Officer through agreed channels.
To liaise with the Mortuary & Bereavement Assistants regarding status of Medical Certificates of Cause of Death and referrals to His Majesty’s Coroner to ensure a seamless death certification process for families.
To work with the Risk Management Department in liaising with the Coroner’s Office regarding referrals, inquests and progression of referred cases.
The information to be communicated will be highly sensitive and in some cases, highly charged, emotive and stressful. The Medical Examiner Officer must have excellent communication skills with a high level of empathy when communication with bereaved relatives and friends. They must be able to maintain this even in highly emotive and stressful scenarios.
- Hospital Doctors and other healthcare professionals
- Medical Examiners
- Quality Managers for each division
- Service managers, clinical governance leads, infection control and Mortuary staff
- His Majesty’s Coroner and Officers
- Spiritual/Faith Community Leads
- Registrars of Births, Deaths and Marriages
- General Practitioners and Practice Staff
- Bereaves Relatives, carers and Executors/Solicitors
- Funeral Directors
- National Medical Examiner
- Regional Leads for the Medical Examiner System
- Police
KEY RESULT AREAS
Responsibility for patients
Interaction with bereaved relatives/friends/carers in person or over the telephone. The post holder must demonstrate the ability to convey empathy and always remain professional
To be responsible for communicating technical information in a supportive manner
To be aware of the diverse needs of users of the Medical Examiner System to ensure equality to any group defined by sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability. This particularly includes the needs of those with religious or cultural expectations surrounding death.
There will not be responsibility for clinical care in this post.
Responsibility for policy and Service Development
To contribute to and review Medical Examiner Service policies and Procedures to reflect best practice in the delivery of a Medical Examiner System.
Responsibility for Financial and Physical Resources
Collate routine information on income and expenditure with support from finance
Engagement in Information Resources
To support the design, testing and implementation of the new potential eMedical Examiner process
To set up and maintain robust electronic record (including Microsoft Office Calendar, Medical Examiner Database on Microsoft Excel etc.) of all deaths and to align with current information systems in place. To optimise the way such data is collected and to ensure it is accurate and up to date.
To assist in preparing of quarterly performance reports for uploading to NHS Data Collections Framework for funding reimbursement in line with national procedures.
To use a computer for long periods of time daily to undertake complex data input and analysis.
Provide support in designing, building, maintaining and developing reporting tools.
Person specification
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
* Educated to Bachelor’s Degree Level, or evidence of study/equivalent practical experience at an advanced level
* Commenced the Medical Examiner e-Learning core training modules prior to starting the post
Desirable criteria
* Completed Medical Examiner e-Learning core training modules prior to starting the post
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
* Full understanding of the Medical Examiner system operational remit when incorporated within Bereavement Services or as a standalone office
* Experience of having sensitive communication with potentially distressed families
* Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations
* To have qualifications/skills in day to day operational/process management of a customer facing service where users may have unpredictable and emotionally charged needs
Desirable criteria
* Knowledge of the Coroner and Justice Act 2009 with reference to the Medical Examiner System
* Knowledge of patient information systems SysmOne, ICE, DPR, PACS, RiO etc
* Knowledge of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death Regulations 2024
* Knowledge of the Medical Examiner Regulations 2024
* Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multidisciplinary teams across organisational boundaries
* Knowledge of the Public sector/NHS work structures
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
* Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism with all stakeholders
* Ability to work to deadlines
* Extensive use of database packages and knowledge and experience of using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word etc.)
Our Mission
Outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them.
Our Vision
Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.
Our Values
Integrity, Respect, Teamwork, Excellence
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We would welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Please read the job description and person specification carefully to ensure your application reflects the knowledge, skills and experience required.
The closing date/interview date is subject to amendment; this vacancy may therefore expire at short notice, so we recommend that you submit an application at your earliest convenience. We reserve the right to close any vacancies without notice.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted via email; therefore it is important that you check your personal email account regularly.
Unfortunately we are unable to respond to every application; if we do not contact you within 4 weeks of the closing date, please be advised that you not have been shortlisted on this occasion.
You can contact us on 01305 254655 to find out whether you have been shortlisted or if you would like feedback.