Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a talented individual who has the appropriate knowledge and skills to join the Trust as full time Medical Examiner Officer (MEO).

The service currently scrutinises the deaths of patients at the Trust and Berkshire Health Care Foundation Trust. We are expanding our team due to the statutory requirement to extend ME scrutiny to all deaths, including in non-acute settings by April 2023. The successful candidate would be able to play an important role in contributing to this.

The post holder must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to communicate effectively in difficult and emotional settings to provide empathetic, non-judgmental support to the bereaved and clinical staff.

Further information regarding the role of MEO can be found on the RCpath website

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work closely with Medical Examiners (ME) to support their role in independently scrutinising the circumstances and cause of deaths, discussing this with the bereaved, improving clinical care by integrating with governance systems, improving accuracy of medical certificates and referrals to the Coroner.

About us

The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust achieved Foundation Trust status on 1st June 2006 and was the first Foundation Trust in the South Central Strategic Health Authority. The Trust has a successful track record of delivering high quality acute medical and surgical services for 500,000 patients across West Berkshire. An area extending from Newbury in the west to Henley-on-Thames in the east and including Wokingham and parts of Hampshire to the south and parts of Oxfordshire to the north. The Trust is one of the largest general hospital Trusts in the country and is Reading’s biggest employer.

Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our most recent CQC inspection we have been rated as ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting we have made significant improvements.

We strive to live by our Trust core values, Compassion, Aspirational, Resourceful and Excellent. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.

Date posted

21 November 2022

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£27,055 to £32,934 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

193-4720774NCG5MEO

Job locations

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

London Road

Reading

RG1 5AN

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To participate in the Medical Examiner (ME) team, supporting MEs in their role in scrutinising circumstances and cause of death.
  • Support the service teams and act as a source of advice and knowledge for relatives of deceased patients, health care professionals and Coroner and Registration services.
  • Assist in developing protocols, guidelines, and policies in line with relevant local and national guidelines, as required.

    • For more details, please see attached job description and person specification.

    Job description

    Job responsibilities

  • To participate in the Medical Examiner (ME) team, supporting MEs in their role in scrutinising circumstances and cause of death.
  • Support the service teams and act as a source of advice and knowledge for relatives of deceased patients, health care professionals and Coroner and Registration services.
  • Assist in developing protocols, guidelines, and policies in line with relevant local and national guidelines, as required.

    • For more details, please see attached job description and person specification.

    Person Specification

    Education, Qualifications & Training

    Essential

  • Educated to bachelor’s degree level or equivalent working knowledge in related field
  • Completed e-learning MEO core training modules prior to starting in the post

    • Desirable

  • Registration with a professional body
  • Minute taking course/training evidence
  • Training in bereavement support

    • Experience

    Essential

  • Experience of working with bereaved families or working with people in sensitive and emotional situations

    • Desirable

  • Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries
  • Minute taking

    • Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

    Essential

  • The ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including the recently bereaved
  • Understanding of data protection and confidentiality

    • Desirable

  • Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009, including The Notification of Deaths Regulations 2019
  • Working knowledge or experience of the Medical Examiner System

    • Person Specification

    Education, Qualifications & Training

    Essential

  • Educated to bachelor’s degree level or equivalent working knowledge in related field
  • Completed e-learning MEO core training modules prior to starting in the post

    • Desirable

  • Registration with a professional body
  • Minute taking course/training evidence
  • Training in bereavement support

    • Experience

    Essential

  • Experience of working with bereaved families or working with people in sensitive and emotional situations

    • Desirable

  • Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries
  • Minute taking

    • Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

    Essential

  • The ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including the recently bereaved
  • Understanding of data protection and confidentiality

    • Desirable

  • Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009, including The Notification of Deaths Regulations 2019
  • Working knowledge or experience of the Medical Examiner System

    • 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).

    Additional information

    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).