About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has become available for a part time Medical Examiner working 1 PA per week within the Medical Examiners Service at Kings College Hospital.
Based at the Princess Royal Site working Friday afternoons. There will be an opportunity to take part in weekend working for our Out of Hours Medical Examiners Service working 9-12 at home on call.
The Medical Examiners Service became statutory on the 9th September 2024 with changes to the death certification process. Working alongside colleagues cross site and supported by the Medical Examiner Officers you will be responsible for scrutinising deaths, having detailed discussions with attending practitioners and determining a cause of death to the best of your knowledge and belief and referring to the Coroner when required.
Ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current processes of certification, investigation (by coroners) and registration of deaths within a Local Authority area;
Main duties of the job
You will be expected to comply with national protocols to ensure that in each case the cause of death is scrutinised in a way that is robust, proportionate and consistent.
You must have up to date knowledge of medical conditions, treatments and medicines which may or may not have contributed to death, and be able to exercise judgement in where to seek specialist advice in order to determine the appropriate level of scrutiny required.
You must be able to distinguish between natural and unnatural causes of death and to decide where a death must be reported to, and investigated by, a coroner.
Additionally, you must have detailed knowledge of the relevant legislation and processes which apply tocoroners and death certification; deaths abroad where bodies are returned to England and Wales for disposal; and;deaths where relatives wish to transport the body abroad for disposal;certifying and registering deaths; and the regulations to authorise cremation or burials of stillbirths abroad.
Your team will be responsible for maintaining comprehensive records in an appropriate format.
See JD for more details
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts, with a turnover of £1.8bn per annum
Our teams provide services out of five hospitals across South East London and Kent, namely King's College Hospital, the Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington Hospital, Queen Mary's Hospital Sidcup, and Beckenham Beacon.
We employ nearly 14,000 staff, who together treat over 1.5 million patients every year.
We provide a full range of local and specialist services, and our teams are nationally and internationally recognised for our work in liver disease and transplantation, neurosciences, cardiac, haemato-oncology, fetal medicine, stroke, major trauma, and emergency medicine.
Job description Job responsibilities
You must be able to communicate with the bereaved of all faiths and communities in a sensitive and understanding manner.
You will be familiar with the role and function of the Coroner and able to present complex medical information in such as way as to assist the Coroner decide whether to investigate a death about which they have been notified.
You will liaise with those attending practitioners who seek advice prior to completing a Medical Certificate on the Cause of Death (where death is considered to be due to natural causes).
You will provide leadership for the effective management of the Medical Examiners Office, including the supervision and development of any staff.
You will comply with the LAs/LHBs reciprocal arrangements with the other medical examiner(s) in the LA/LHB or neighbouring LA/LHB to provide cover for holidays and other commitments that would prevent completion of the scrutiny process within the prescribed timescales.
You will act in accordance with Equalities and Human Rights legislation and the organisations Equality and Diversity policies.
Medical Examiners must avoid any potential conflicts of interest. You will make arrangements to transfer to another ME the responsibility for the scrutiny of any death in which you have had a personal, professional or fiduciary relationship with the deceased person, the next-of-kin or near relative of the deceased, or with the attending doctor who prepared the MCCD.
You be expected to fulfil any appropriate management and individual responsibilities in accordance with the organisations Health and Safety policy and report as necessary, any untoward accident, incident or potentially hazardous environment. You will also promote and implement the LAs/LHBs Health and Safety policy.
For further details / informal visits contact:
Lynne Watkins or Yasmin Kapadia
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Registerable medical qualification [MRCP] or equivalent.
Desirable
Other higher degree or diploma (e.g., MD).
Registration Essential
Within six months of the expected date of CCT (or equivalent) on the day of interview. Medical practitioner registered and licensed to practise in the UK by the GMC Name on Specialist Register on date of taking up appointment.
Training and Experience Essential
Candidates must have successfully completed the mandatory e-learning modules and attended a face-to-face training session by the time they start the role. MEs should have 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 in Primary Care Experience in Paediatics as sub -speciaity interest
Administration Essential
Experience in day to day organisation of services in a busy Teaching Hospital. Able to demonstrate leadership capability within multi-disciplinary teams.
Desirable
Familiar with current structure of Health Service and conversant with recent initiatives and changes. Management course and/or qualification.
Audit & quality improvement Essential
Thorough understanding of principles of medical audit and quality improvement. Must be able to demonstrate ability to lead change.
Research Essential
Experience of conducting or supporting clinical research.
Desirable
Relevant research experience. Publication of relevant review articles or case reports.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Princess Royal University Hospital
Medical Examiners Service
Orpington
BR68ND
Employer's website https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)