Job summary
Medical Examiner Officer - Internal Only
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a talented individual who has the appropriate knowledge and skills to join the Trust as full time Medical Examiner Officer (MEO).
The service currently scrutinises the deaths of patients at the Trust, Berkshire Health Care Foundation Trust, and Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice . We are expanding our team due to the statutory requirement to extend ME scrutiny to all deaths, including in non-acute settings by September 2024. The successful candidate would be able to play an important role in contributing to this.
The post holder must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to communicate effectively in difficult and emotional settings to provide empathetic, non-judgmental support to the bereaved and clinical staff.
Further information regarding the role of MEO can be found on the RCpath website.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work closely with Medical Examiners (ME) to support their role in independently scrutinising the circumstances and cause of deaths, discussing this with the bereaved, improving clinical care by integrating with governance systems, improving accuracy of medical certificates and referrals to the Coroner.
About us
The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust achieved Foundation Trust status on 1st June 2006 and was the first Foundation Trust in the South Central Strategic Health Authority. The Trust has a successful track record of delivering high quality acute medical and surgical services for 500,000 patients across West Berkshire. An area extending from Newbury in the west to Henley-on-Thames in the east and including Wokingham and parts of Hampshire to the south and parts of Oxfordshire to the north. The Trust is one of the largest general hospital Trusts in the country and is Reading's biggest employer.
Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our most recent CQC inspection we have been rated as 'Good' with inspectors reporting we have made significant improvements.
We strive to live by our Trust core values, Compassion, Aspirational, Resourceful and Excellent. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information on the job role, please refer to the Job description & Person specification attached.
Person Specification
Education, Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Educated to bachelor's degree level or equivalent working knowledge in related field
- Completed e-learning MEO core training modules prior to starting in the post
Desirable
- Training in bereavement support
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with bereaved families or working with people in sensitive and emotional situations
- Experience of working in a people-centred environment
Desirable
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries
- Minute taking
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential
- The ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including the recently bereaved
- Understanding of data protection and confidentiality
- Ability to work as part of a team and organise fluctuating workload around competing priorities
Desirable
- Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009, including The Notification of Deaths Regulations 2019
- Working knowledge or experience of the Medical Examiner System
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
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
London Road
Reading
RG1 5AN