Medical Examiner Officer

NTH; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is expanding its Medical Examiner Officer team to scrutinise death circumstances and support families. The role involves reviewing records, coordinating with SJR/CDOP/LeDeR teams, and providing guidance to relatives and professionals.

Applicants should have a Batchelor’s degree level education with evidence of clinical experience, and must complete mandatory MEO training.

Qualifications

• Educated to Batchelor’s degree level or equivalent experience in a related field.
• Must have completed mandatory e-learning MEO core training modules prior to starting.
• UK registration or evidence of nursing/allied health practice is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a team to oversee the death certification process for all deceased patients in the organisation and wider community.
• Establish circumstances of deaths by preliminary review of medical records and sourcing additional details as needed.
• Highlight cases for assessment by relevant panels and governance teams.
• Ensure equality and sensitivity for all users of the medical examiner system.
• Discuss content of death certificates with relatives and communicate sensitive information with support from the day’s Medical Examiner.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Empathy

Self-awareness

Medical terminology

Death certification knowledge

Cultural sensitivity

IT literacy

Education

Bachelor's degree

E-learning MEO training

Nursing/Allied Health qualification UK registered

Job description

Find out about the current vacancies available at the Trust and take the next step in your career with us.

We are expanding our team of Medical Examiner Officers to enable scrutiny of all patient and community deaths.

The Medical Examiner Officer supports the Medical Examiner in scrutinising the circumstances and causes of death.

In addition, they are a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals and coroner and registration services.

The nature of the job is such that it demands high standards of integrity. It is essential that you have good interpersonal skills with the ability to show empathy and deal sensitively with bereaved families

We welcome applications from candidates educated to Batchelor’s degree level, or evidence of study/equivalent practical experience at an advanced level; this might include nursing and/or other clinical experience.

Please note, candidates must have completed the mandatory e-learning MEO core training modules (free of charge) prior to starting in the post.

Although currently delivered between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday, this is subject to change as the service develops and may include evening and weekend working.

*Please note this post will be closed early once a sufficient amount of applications have been received

Main duties of the job

To work as part of a team to aid medical examiners in their responsibility for overseeing the death certification process for all deceased patients in the organisation and wider community.

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.

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

Maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of users of the medical examiner system to ensure equality to any particular group defined by sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.

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 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.

Working for our organisation

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have come together to form University Hospitals Tees. As a result, post holders may be required to work across sites within both organisations.

Across University Hospitals Tees, our ambition is to be the best place to work, ensuring we have the right staff in the right roles at the right time to deliver outstanding patient care and experience.

We are committed to supporting our staff through an inclusive and supportive working environment, offering health and wellbeing initiatives, staff benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional development.

We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Purpose

To support medical examiners and MEO’s in their role in scrutinising the circumstances and causes of acute and primary care deaths. To be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals, Coroner and registration services, bereavement services and mortuary.

Key Duties/Responsibilities

To work as part of a team to aid medical examiners in their responsibility for overseeing the death certification process for all deceased patients in the organisation and wider community.

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.

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

Maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of users of the medical examiner system to ensure equality to any particular group defined by sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.

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 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.

Demonstrate commitment to IWL principles and flexible working patterns, to meet the needs of the service and staff

Tackle discrimination and harassment, and promote equality and diversity in the workplace

Reduce sickness absence; work place accidents; and promote zero tolerance on violence against staff

Take responsibility for personal development and education and the development of a Personal Development Plan.

Knowledge, skills and experience required:

Educated to Batchelor’s degree level, or evidence of study/equivalent practical experience at an advanced level; this might include nursing and/or other clinical experience.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Empathetic and self-awareness skills to deal with bereaved families who may have barriers to understanding information due to grief or disability.

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

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

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

Knowledge of various faith groups’ funeral wishes/practices to enable respectful compliance with tight and specific timescales and procedures.

Computer literate to use multiple IT software for recording personal identifiable data and producing statistical information.

Key Result Areas:

Ability to manage conflicting demands, prioritise tasks and deal with queries as they arise.

Identify relatives’ concerns and elevate them appropriately.

Accurate and timely, preliminary review of medical records to identify clinical and circumstantial information, sourcing additional details where required, for scrutiny by the medical examiner.

Full compliance with secure handling of patient identifiable data is essential.

Proactive and self-motivated

Communications and Key Working Relationships:

Internal

Medical Examiners.

Bereavement Support Officers

Service managers, nurses, clinical governance leads, infection control and mortuary.

External

Primary care doctors and practice staff.

HM Coroner and officers.

Spiritual/Faith community leads.

Registrars of births and deaths.

Bereaved relatives, carers and executors/solicitors.

Funeral Directors.

National Medical Examiner.

Regional ME teams.

Control of Infection

Be aware of, and comply with, all Trust infection prevention and control policies, to include hand hygiene, personal hygiene, environmental and food hygiene. To undertake annual training/updates in infection prevention and control.

To be accountable for implementation of Code of Practice within own department/area of responsibility.

The most challenging part of the job

Regular interaction with the bereaved relatives in person or over the telephone. The post holder must have the ability to demonstrate empathy and remain professional at all times.

Physical Effort and Working Conditions:

There is significant emotional effort associated with dealing with bereaved families.

To use a computer for prolonged periods of time daily.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Commenced E-learning MEO core training modules prior to starting in post
• Batchelor’s degree in Nursing or other Allied Health Practitioner with UK registration

Experience

• Experience of working in the UK with people in sensitive and emotional situations
• Experience of working autonomously and managing own caseload

Skills

• Must have UK experience working as part of a team
• Organise fluctuating workload around competing priorities
• Ability to work in highly pressurised and unpredictable environment
• Competent in the use of IT software systems and handling of sensitive patient identifiable data
• Understanding of medical terminology to enable informed discussions with bereaved families, clinicians, coroners and registration staff
• Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity of issues around formalities following a death.
• Knowledge of the statutory process around UK death certification legal frameworks and how the medical examiner system aligns with other related organisations and NHS initiatives.

Important - Once sufficient applications have been received this vacancy may close early.

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)

It is the policy of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost for their DBS certificate. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay on commencement with the Trust. The DBs check will be undertaken during the pre-employment check screening.

Qualifications

Please note the essential qualifications required for the post are outlined within the Person Specification. You are required to provide original evidence of the necessary qualifications for the post at interview should you be shortlisted. You will also be required to provide original copies as part of the pre-employment check screening.

New Starters – Probationary Period

For any new employees commencing employment with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, you will be subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period. Please note that internal applications and individuals that are appointed to fixed term appointments of less than 6 months duration are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or a bank member of staff).

Employment References

As part of our pre-employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references covering their last three years employment history including any gaps. Applicants are requested to ensure e-mail addresses for all referees are included on their application form. Personal references are not acceptable.

Working Hours

If the hours advertised for the post are up to full time (37.5 hours per week), applications are still welcomed from individuals who may be seeking to work less than full-time hours and all requests will be considered in line with the post being appointed to for the successful applicant.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate.

At University Hospitals Tees we want our workspaces to be places where everyone feels welcome, valued and safe. We treat people with respect, and we celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.

We welcome applications from everyone, no matter your age, background, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family circumstances or beliefs.

We are here to support you throughout your application and at every stage of your career with us. We believe we work best when we collaborate, learn from each other and build teams that reflect the communities we serve.

Disability

We are a Disability Confident Lead employer. This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. If you need help with your application, or need the information in a different format, please contact our recruitment team and we will support you.

Right to Work in the UK

The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless they have permission to work via another route. Non UK/RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here: Work in the UK - GOV.UK ( www.gov.uk )

Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.

Please note that not everyone needs a ‘Skilled Worker’ visa. If you are applying for health or social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.

As a supporter of the Armed Forces and an employer of Reservists, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces (and their families) are treated fairl

We recognise that reservists and veterans bring a variety of transferable skills and qualities to our workplace, developed through their military careers. Our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community has been recognised through the Armed Forces Covenant as a Silver Employer.

Further Important Information

Please check your email on a regular basis for updates on your application. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to email via this method.

Please ensure you read the ‘Guidance Notes for Applicants’ document attached to this advert before completing and submitting your application.

Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to all applicants and those who are not contacted within six weeks of the closing date should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.