Medical Examiner Officer

NHS

  • Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
  • £31,049-37,796 per year
  • Permanent
  • Part-time
  • 15 hours ago
The Medical Examiner Service became statue law on 9th September 2024, meaning that all deaths in England and Wales that are not taken for investigation by the Coroner, are required to be secondarily independently reviewed by the Medical Examiner.The Medical Examiner Service at the West Suffolk Hospital are responsible for reviewing deaths from within the Hospital and surrounding community, including care homes, Hospices and Coroner referred cases.The role of the Medical Examiner Officer is vital for ensuring deaths are received, reviewed and action in a timely and professional manner, providing administrative support to the Medical Examiner, and a compassionate and efficient service to the bereaved.The Medical Examiner Officers work closely with the Hospital Mortuary and Bereavement services, and including, but not limited to, hospital medical teams, Patient Advise and Liaison Services and Learning from Deaths Team. We also work very closely with external stakeholders at the GP practices aligned with our service, the Coroner Services and Registrar Services.Main duties of the jobTo act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patient's death.Work with medical examiners to aid them in their responsibility for overseeing the death certification process for all deceased patients in the organisation/community, as determined by the National Medical Examiner's Officer.To establish the circumstances of individual patient deaths by performing a preliminary review of medical records to identify clinical and circumstantial information, sourcing additional details where required, for scrutiny by the medical examiner.To assist in highlighting cases for assessment by the Structured Judgement Review team (SJR), Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP), Clinical Governance teams and the Learning Disability Review Teams (LeDeR).To refer patients to the coroner for further investigation on approval by the medical examinerMaintain an awareness of the diverse needs of users of the medical examiner system to ensure equality.About us#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our communityWe are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?DetailsDate posted03 September 2025Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 5Salary£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum, pro rataContractPermanentWorking patternPart-time, Job shareReference number179-7271557-C-AJob locationsWest Suffolk HospitalHardwicke LaneBury St EdmundsIP33 2QZJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesPlease see the full job description for further informationJob responsibilities:Key Tasks & Responsibilities: Ensuring deaths are received, reviewed and action in a timely and professional manner, providing administrative support to the Medical Examiner, and a compassionate and efficient service to thebereaved. To act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patients death. Work with medical examiners to aid them in their responsibility for overseeing the death certification process for all deceased patients in the organisation/community, as determined by the National Medical Examiners Office Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesPlease see the full job description for further informationJob responsibilities:Key Tasks & Responsibilities: Ensuring deaths are received, reviewed and action in a timely and professional manner, providing administrative support to the Medical Examiner, and a compassionate and efficient service to thebereaved. To act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patients death. Work with medical examiners to aid them in their responsibility for overseeing the death certification process for all deceased patients in the organisation/community, as determined by the National Medical Examiners OfficePerson SpecificationEducation and qualificationsEssential
  • Educated to Batchelor's degree level or equivalent working knowledge in related field.
  • A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities.
  • The ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including the recently bereaved.
  • Completed e-learning MEO core training modules prior to starting in the post.
Experience and knowledgeEssential
  • Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations.
  • Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries.
  • General knowledge of clinical/medical terminology.
Desirable
  • Knowledge of the Death Registration Reforms Legislation 2024
  • Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity of issues around formalities following a death.
  • Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009 reference to the medical examiner system. Full understanding of the medical examiner system operational remit when incorporated within Bereavement Services or as a stand-alone office
Skills and abilitiesEssential
  • Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism with all stakeholders.
  • Ability to work as part of a team and organise fluctuating workload around competing priorities.
  • Competent in the use of IT software systems and handling sensitive personal identifiable data
Personal qualitiesEssential
  • Proactive and self-motivated with the ability to deputise for senior MEO often at short notice.
  • Approachable and supportive to all levels of staff and bereaved families in a non-judgemental and discreet manner.
  • Professional appearance, manner and awareness of impact of own behaviour on others.
  • Ability to maintain a calm manner in a range of challenging and emotive circumstances
Person SpecificationEducation and qualificationsEssential
  • Educated to Batchelor's degree level or equivalent working knowledge in related field.
  • A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities.
  • The ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including the recently bereaved.
  • Completed e-learning MEO core training modules prior to starting in the post.
Experience and knowledgeEssential
  • Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations.
  • Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries.
  • General knowledge of clinical/medical terminology.
Desirable
  • Knowledge of the Death Registration Reforms Legislation 2024
  • Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity of issues around formalities following a death.
  • Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009 reference to the medical examiner system. Full understanding of the medical examiner system operational remit when incorporated within Bereavement Services or as a stand-alone office
Skills and abilitiesEssential
  • Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism with all stakeholders.
  • Ability to work as part of a team and organise fluctuating workload around competing priorities.
  • Competent in the use of IT software systems and handling sensitive personal identifiable data
Personal qualitiesEssential
  • Proactive and self-motivated with the ability to deputise for senior MEO often at short notice.
  • Approachable and supportive to all levels of staff and bereaved families in a non-judgemental and discreet manner.
  • Professional appearance, manner and awareness of impact of own behaviour on others.
  • Ability to maintain a calm manner in a range of challenging and emotive circumstances

NHS