Lead Medical Examiner

• 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 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 Examiner's 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
• To provide leadership to the Medical Examiner team
• To ensure that there is always appropriate Medical Examiner cover in place, accounting for planned leave
• To ensure that there is always appropriate Medical Examiner cover in place, accounting for planned leave
• The Lead Medical Examiner will have professional independence in scrutinising deathsbut will be accountable to the employing organisations Board for achieving agreed standardsor levels of performance
• The Lead Medical Examiner will have an independent professional line of accountabilityto a regional structure of NHS England outside the employing organisation and immediateline management structure
• The Lead Medical Examiner will comply with guidance issued by the National Medical Examiner when carrying out ME duties
• The Lead Medical Examiner will be required to participate in any relevant governance activities relating to scrutiny and confirmation of the cause of death where concerns have been raisedby the next of kin/informant of the deceased and/or clinical staff and ME scrutiny
• The Lead Medical Examiner will facilitate routine analysis of MCCD information to identifytrends, patterns and unusual features of deaths and report, as required, firstly to the regional Lead ME and ultimately to the National Medical Examiners office
• The Lead Medical Examiner will provide information to local Child Death Overview panels in respect of all child deaths which are not being investigated by the coroner
• Medical Examiners must avoid any potential conflicts of interest. In cases where they have a personal or professional relationship with the deceased person, next of kin/informant, or with the attending doctor preparing the MCCD, they must transfer any scrutiny of the death toanother ME
• The Lead Medical Examiner is expected to take responsibility for their own continuing professional development in accordance with any standards for maintaining a GMC licence to practice and membership of any relevant professional body. The ME role should beincluded in the whole practice appraisal
• The Lead Medical Examiner should maintain a Personal Development Plan in agreement with their appraiser
• There will be opportunities to attend local and national activities to maintainup to date knowledge

• Full registration with the General Medical Council with at least five years standing
• A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities
• Candidates must have successfully completed the mandatory e-learning modules and attended a face-to-face training session
• Up-to-date knowledge of causes of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certification processes
• Knowledge of quality improvement tools and techniques to support emergent widespread learning across organisations
• Have good IT skills including use of databases, spreadsheets, electronic patient records, email, and commonly used software
• Ability to manage and comply with sensitive information- based processes under tight timescales with a proportionate approach
• Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity
• Have the ability and experience to lead and manage a service across multiple healthcare settings
• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently within own team and also closely with people in other disciplines
• Ability to work as part of a team and organise a fluctuating workload around competing priorities and numerous interruptions
• Ability to manage and deliver effective education to relevant healthcare providers
• Knowledge of local and national clinical governance systems and an understanding of how the ME can work collaboratively to improve patient safety by identifying sub- optimal clinical and organisational performance
• Ability to identify available data sources and interpret their meaning in order to support the detection and analysis of concerns and to recognise gaps in available knowledge
• Ability to identify and disseminate examples of good practice amongst relevant colleagues
• Proactive and self-motivated with a flexible working approach
• Have the resilience to manage own reaction to frequently distressing situations and support others within the team
• To always sustain professional integrity and independence, particularly where there is the potential for a conflict of interest

Can demonstrate previous experience as a Medical Examiner