Medical Examiner

at  Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

To ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current and proposed reformed processes of certification, investigation by coroners and registration of deaths. To scrutinise the certified causes of death offered by attending doctors in a way that is proportionate, consistent, and compliant with the proposed national protocol. To discuss and explain the cause of death with next of kin/informants in a transparent, tactful, and sympathetic manner. It is anticipated that such discussions will be predominately conducted through telephone conversations where barriers to understanding information may exist.
To ensure that all users of the ME system are treated with respect and are not discriminated against on the grounds of sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability. To maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis to provide information to the National Medical Examiners office. To participate in relevant clinical governance activities relating to death certification including audits, mortality review processes and investigations regarding formal complaints about patient care. To support the training of junior doctors in their understanding of death certification and promote good practice in accurate completion of MCCDs.
To work with medical examiner officers (MEOs), delegating duties as appropriate. To engage with lead ME and lead MEO for the region. To adopt a collaborative working relationship with other MEs by sharing experiences and expertise to support peer learning and set uniform standards of service delivery. The timetabling of the duties will be discussed after appointment with the successful candidate, the Lead Medical Examiner, and their CD to reflect in their job plan.
Support those doctors who call for medical advice on suspected natural causes of death before they prepare an MCCD and provide general medical advice to the coroner. Work with the any other local medical examiner(s) in LA/LHB or elsewhere to arrange reciprocal cover for holidays and other periods of absence and also to ensure that there is no potential conflict of interest between the medical examiner and the death being scrutinised

Please refer the Job description for details