The main aims of the Medical Examiner function is to examine deaths and agree the proposed cause of death and the overall accuracy of the medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD) with the doctor completing it. Additionally they act as a medical advice resource for the local Coroner andinform the selection of cases for further review under local mortality arrangements and contribute to other clinical governance procedures. Discussing the cause of death with the next of kin/informant and establish if they have questions or any concerns with care before death is also a key part of the function.

Medical examiner offices in England are hosted by acute trusts (and a small number of specialist trusts). They are staffed by a team of medical examiners, supported by medical examiner officers.

At SWB we are seeking to appoint two Medical Examiner Officers (MEO) who will provide administrative support to our expanding service.

Main duties of the job

The role will be required to provide administrative support to medical examiners in their role of scrutinising the circumstances and causes of death and to act as an intermediary between the bereaved families and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patient's death.

The post holder will also be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals and coroner and registration services. They will need to be able to adapt their approach to suit a variety of situations and audiences which will require highly developed communication skills.

About us

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWBT) is an integrated careorganisation with a budget of approximately �600 million and over 7,000 staff. Diversity and social care is at the core of what we do as the Trust provides Community and Acute Services to over half a million people in an urban centre that demands massive regeneration and has substantial premature mortality.

Our new acute hospital, the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH), opens in 2024 and will provide care to our local population from first class, purpose-built premises.As a result, the base of this role may change to MMUH from 2024 (or beyond). If this is applicable to your role, you will be informed during the recruitment process and continuing your application with this understanding.The development of the new hospital will play an important role in the regeneration of the wider area and in improving the lives of local people and reducing health inequalities.

We have three newly emerging strategic objectives:

Our People - to cultivate and sustain happy, productive and engaged staff

Our Patients - to be good or outstanding in everything we do

Our Population - to work seamlessly with our partners to improve life

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specificationfor full details on what this role entails.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to Batchelor's degree level or equivalent working/practical experience in related field.

Desirable

• Completion of MEO core training modules

Knowledge

Essential

• Good understanding of medical terminology that enables informed discussions about causes/circumstances of death with bereaved families, clinicians, coroner and registration service staff.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the statutory process around death certification legal frameworks and how the medical examiner system aligns with other related organisations and NHS initiatives.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in acutely sensitive situations where users may have unpredictable and emotionally charged needs.
• Experience of working independently within own area of work with minimal supervision.
• Experience of working with people from differing cultural and religious backgrounds
• Experience of planning a broad programme of activities and prioritising work to meet deadlines.
• Experience of working independently within own area of specialism with minimal supervision
• Experience of maintaining confidentiality and secure handling of highly sensitive data and/or patient identifiable data.

Skills

Essential

• Highly evolved self-awareness and communication skills to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism.
• The ability to recognise own limitations and escalate appropriately.
• Ability to adapt as business priorities change.

Desirable

• The ability to work in a highly pressurised, unpredictable environment where bereavement care is central to the service delivery.

Mental Effort

Essential

• Responding to unexpected requests to provide specific information and sometimes under pressure to work to tight deadlines.

Employer details

Employer name

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

Address

SWB NHS Trust

West Bromwich / Birmingham

B71 4HJ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

381-CO-5592364