Medical Examiner Officer

An exciting opportunity is available at University Hospital Sussex (UHSx) NHS Foundation Trust for a further part time Medical Examiner Officer to join our team. After successful implementation of the Medical Examiner (ME) Service in our acute hospitals, we are expanding into the Community and Primary Care Settings in the Brighton and Mid Sussex.
We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated, and compassionate Medical Examiner Officers (MEO) to join our team, to help support the continued delivery of the acute ME Service across our hospital sites and within the community. You will be key in supporting the Medical Examiner process, the Trust's mortality process and provide support to a range of staff within the Trust around mortality and the ME Service.
Please contact [email protected] for further details. Secondment opportunities will be considered., These roles will incorporate administrative skills in ensuring necessary paperwork is accurate and complete, but also excellent communication skills during liaison with doctors, nurses, families, and where appropriate, the Coroners' services. Part of the day to day work will also involve investigation work and perusal of patient notes so a good working knowledge of medical terminology is important together with relevant clinical experience in an acute/community setting.
We have set up Medical Examiners Offices at 4 sites within the Trust. This enables the Medical Examiners to scrutinise every applicable inpatient death in the Trust, as well as the responsibility to scrutinise all community deaths in West Sussex and Brighton locations. To do this, we have aimed to develop a responsive and fluid service which is adaptable to the needs of the Trust, our patients, and our workforce.
An element of cross site working between Royal Sussex County Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital (Haywards Heath) is expected in consideration of work base preference at recruitment.
Successful applicants will be expected to complete formal training appropriate to the role when in post, online training produced by the Royal College of Pathologists should be completed prior to commencement of the post., + Effective verbal, non-verbal, and written communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team within own department and relevant departments and both internal and external to the Trust.
+ To discuss content of medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD) with relatives of deceased and in all cases, collect additional information. This may include the need to communicate sensitive information and offer explanations
+ Communicate via all mediums with families, carers, clinical teams, in relation to medical examiner scrutiny and the outcomes of any discussions
+ To assist relatives in identifying appropriate information and additional/further advice and support e.g. Patient Advice Liaison Service, Bereavement Office information and external agencies
+ To ensure any concerns raised by the relatives are escalated as appropriate to the Medical Examiner or Coroner's Office in a timely manner
+ Address inappropriate behaviour in others in a professional manner.
+ To participate in meetings with relatives alongside the Medical Examiner and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
+ Service Delivery and Improvement
+ To carry out the initial screening of medical notes of deceased patients to identify cases that clearly require referral to the Coroner
+ To support medical staff in formulation cause of death
Support colleagues to develop confidence in communication skills around death certification and the Medical Examiner Office.
+ To work with the Medical Examiner to ensure proper and proportionate scrutiny of medical notes
+ To act autonomously in identifying and reporting cases to HM Coroner when medical staff/Medical Examiner are not available.
+ To manage own workload ensuring project timescales are adhered to.
+ To establish clear and effective channels for communicating and co operating with all departments, wards and relevant professionals.
+ To maintain an accurate and effective record keeping system in line with Information Governance Policies and National Medical Examiner
Develop protocols, guidelines and policy for the efficient running of the Medical Examiner office in scrutinising acute and non-acute deaths.
+ Responsible for the procurement of physical assets & supplies.
+ Responsible for the delivery of cost effective care in relation to equipment and resources used in the course of work.
Responsibility to consider implications of service development.
+ Ensure resources are used efficiently and cost effectively, implementing new initiatives where possible to improve patient experience.
+ Responsible for ensuring the effective use and maintenance of stock and equipment in line with the workload requirements.
Important information for applicants
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute Trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal - to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.