Job summary
The Medical Examiner Service at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been established successfully since 2020. We are now looking to recruit 2 x enthusiastic and highly motivated Medical Examiners (MEs) for 1 x PA/Sessions per week each.

Our service of MEs and Medical Examiner Officers (MEOs) combine clinical and administrative skills, compassion and sensitivity and a commitment to engage with bereaved families to complete a review of every in-hospital and community death across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast.

In addition to effective scrutiny of MCCDs (death certificates), MEs provide medical advice to coroners and advice to certifying doctors. They work with NHS colleagues to use the information they collect to support clinical governance and they assist in training doctors and other healthcare professionals on the appropriate certification of death.

All Medical Examiner undergo formal training appropriate to the role, as stipulated by the Royal College of Pathologists, and will continue to train on the job as part of a lifelong learning role.

Main duties of the job
The ME Office is an independent service hosted by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The role of the team is to:

• provide greater safeguards for the public by ensuring proper scrutiny of all non - coronal deaths
• ensure the appropriate referral of deaths to the coroner
• provide a better service for the bereaved and an opportunity for them to raise any concerns to a Doctor not involved in the care of the deceased
• improve the quality of death certification
• improve the quality of mortality data

About us
As one of the United Kingdom's largest coastal resort, Blackpool has plenty to offer its residents - it's not just a good place to work; it's a great place to live. In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers a number of scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three-hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the north and London in the south.

Job responsibilities
The Medical Examiners (MEs) are appropriately trained doctors who will verify clinical information on Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs) and ensure that the right referrals are made to the coroner for further investigation. A practicing medical practitioner who has been on the General Medical Council register for a minimum of five years post registration can apply to be a medical examiner. It is recommended that medical examiners are consultant grade doctors from a range of disciplines (including GP Principles). MEs will take a consistent approach to the formulation of MCCD, content, which must be clinically accurate and reflect any discussions with the next of kin/informant. MEs must not have been involved in the care of the deceased patients for deaths they scrutinise. The Medical Examiner office is hosted by the Acute Trust but remains independent in its function to independently scrutinise all deaths within the Blackpool area.

Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential

• Full registration with the General Medical Council
• Clearance by Occupational Health to carry out the full range of duties of the post.
• Completion of the mandatory components of the national online medical examiner curriculum.
• Completion of the face-to-face RCP training programme

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualifications in a relevant subject

Experience & Knowledge
Essential

• Up-to-date knowledge of causes of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certification processes.
• Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity

Desirable

• Experience of practicing as a Medical Examiner
• Experience of managing/delivering postgraduate training.

Skills and ability
Essential

• Ability to identify available data sources to support the detection and analysis of concerns and to recognise gaps in available knowledge.
• IT skills including use of email and commonly used office software
• Willingness to undertake training required for the job.

Additional information
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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Lead Medical Examiner
Dr Harriet Preston
harriet.preston@nhs.net
01253953413