Job Description

An exciting opportunity is available at University Hospital Sussex (UHSx) NHS Foundation Trust for a further part time Medical Examiner Officer to join our team. After successful implementation of the Medical Examiner (ME) Service in our acute hospitals, we have expanded into the Community and Primary Care Settings in the Brighton and Mid Sussex.



We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated, and compassionate Medical Examiner Officers (MEO) to join our team, to help support the continued delivery of the Acute ME Service across our hospital sites and within the community. You will be key in supporting the Medical Examiner process, the Trust's mortality process and provide support to a range of staff within the Trust around mortality and the ME Service.



Please contact uhsussex.medicalexaminerbh@nhs.net for further details. Secondment opportunities will be considered.



These roles will incorporate administrative skills in ensuring necessary paperwork is accurate and complete, but also excellent communication skills during liaison with doctors, nurses, families, and where appropriate, the Coroners' services. Part of the day to day work will also involve investigation work and perusal of patient notes so a good working knowledge of medical terminology is important together with relevant clinical experience in an acute/community setting.



We have set up Medical Examiners Offices at 4 sites within the Trust. This enables the Medical Examiners to scrutinise every applicable inpatient death in the Trust as well as developing the service to take on the responsibility of reviewing the circumstances of all community deaths in West Sussex and Brighton locations as the national programme rolls out locally. To do this, we have aimed to develop a responsive and fluid service which is adaptable to the needs of the Trust, our patients, and our workforce.



An element of cross site working between Royal Sussex County Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital (Haywards Heath) is expected in consideration of work base preference at recruitment.



Successful applicants will be expected to complete formal training appropriate to the role when in post, online training produced by the Royal College of Pathologists should be completed prior to commencement of the post.



At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.



We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.



As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.



We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.

Candidate Information Pack:

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/



Effective verbal, non-verbal, and written communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team within own department and relevant departments and both internal and external to the Trust.



To discuss content of medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD) with relatives of deceased and in all cases, collect additional information. This may include the need to communicate sensitive information and offer explanations



Communicate via all mediums with families, carers, clinical teams, in relation to medical examiner scrutiny and the outcomes of any discussions



To assist relatives in identifying appropriate information and additional/further advice and support e.g. Patient Advice Liaison Service, Bereavement Office information and external agencies



To ensure any concerns raised by the relatives are escalated as appropriate to the Medical Examiner or Coroner's Office in a timely manner



Address inappropriate behaviour in others in a professional manner.



To participate in meetings with relatives alongside the Medical Examiner and other members of the multidisciplinary team.



Service Delivery and Improvement



To carry out the initial screening of medical notes of deceased patients to identify cases that clearly require referral to the Coroner



To support medical staff in formulation cause of death

Support colleagues to develop confidence in communication skills around death certification and the Medical Examiner Office.



To work with the Medical Examiner to ensure proper and proportionate scrutiny of medical notes



To act autonomously in identifying and reporting cases to HM Coroner when medical staff/Medical Examiner are not available.



To manage own workload ensuring project timescales are adhered to.



To establish clear and effective channels for communicating and co operating with all departments, wards and relevant professionals.



To maintain an accurate and effective record keeping system in line with Information Governance Policies and National Medical Examiner

Develop protocols, guidelines and policy for the efficient running of the Medical Examiner office in scrutinising acute and non-acute deaths.



Responsible for the procurement of physical assets & supplies.



Responsible for the delivery of cost effective care in relation to equipment and resources used in the course of work.

Responsibility to consider implications of service development.



Ensure resources are used efficiently and cost effectively, implementing new initiatives where possible to improve patient experience.



Responsible for ensuring the effective use and maintenance of stock and equipment in line with the workload requirements.