Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to join the Medical Examiner team, which is hosted by the University Hospital of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust. The post holder will be part of this team providing a service to the local population of Morecambe Bay to provide independent scrutiny of all non-coronial deaths.
Medical Examiner Officers (MEOs) are a vital part of any Medical Examiner (ME) service in England and Wales.Coming from a range of backgrounds, MEOs will be involved in all stages of the ME service, from talking to attending physicians, advising on the wording of death certificates and explainingthis to bereaved families, as well as answering any questions they might have.
The post is for 15 hours per week on Monday and Tuesday. The core hours for the service are currently, Office hours 8.00am 4.30pm
The role is based at Royal Lancaster Infirmary.
Applications are welcomed from individuals with nursing/AHP/ admin and clerical backgrounds.
Interviews are scheduled to take place on 20th May 2024
Main duties of the job
The role of the Medical Examiner Officer (MEO) is to support the medical examiners in their role in scrutinising the circumstances and causes of death, and to be a point of contact for coroner and registration services. The MEO will also be a source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals and the bereavement service.
This role is critical in developing a responsive and fluid service which is adaptable to the needs of the local population. The successful candidate/s will have a proactive role in how the service grows and adapts to the needs of our patients and relatives.
Candidates must have successfully completed the mandatory Medical Examiner RCP e-learning modules online by the time they start the role and attend a face-to face training session at the Royal College of Pathologist before fully commencing the role and this needs to be undertaken within the first three months in post but ideally before commencement.
Further support will also be offered with regular supervision and networking opportunities with other Medical Examiner Officers through the Regional Medical Examiner Office.
About us
We operate from three main hospitals - Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverston Community Health Centre.
FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services.
WGH provides a range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life threatening conditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses.
All three main hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies, day case and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.
Our community services for adults are provided in people's homes, community centres, clinics, GP Practices, community hospitals and our main hospitals. Our aim is to work with people to help them remain independent, improve their health and manage their conditions through high quality care, advice and support.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay visiting our website https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/
If you want to learn more about the Medical Examiner Service, the Royal College of Pathologists has a lot of information (including the role of a Medical Examiner Officer) available at Medical examiners (rcpath.org)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level / or evidence of equivalent study / equivalent practical experience at an advanced level; this might include clinical and / or other relevant experience such as working in a Bereavement Team and Trust mortality review processes.
- A willingness to undertake the formal Royal College of Pathology mandatory Medical Examiner Officer e learning and face to face training as a pre request for the role
- Up-to-date knowledge of causes of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certification processes.
Experience
Essential
- General knowledge of medical terminology that enables informed discussion about causes / circumstances of death with bereaved families, coroner and registrations service staff.
- Up-to-date knowledge of causes of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certification processes.
Skills
Essential
- Computer literate to use multiple IT software for recording personal identifiable data and producing statistical information.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust
Address
Royal Lancaster Infirmary
Ashton Road
Lancaster
LA14RP