Overview
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 Advice 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
* To 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 examiner.
* Maintain 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 community
We 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 teamwork 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?
Details
Date posted: 03 September 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time, Job share
Reference number: 179-7271557-C-A
Job locations: West Suffolk Hospital, Hardwicke Lane, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ
Job description
Please see the full job description for further information.
Job responsibilities
Key Tasks & Responsibilities: Ensuring deaths are received, reviewed and actioned in a timely and professional manner, providing administrative support to the Medical Examiner, and a compassionate and efficient service to the bereaved. To 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 Office.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
* 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 knowledge
* 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 abilities
* 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 qualities
* 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.
Other 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.
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. Guidance on overseas criminal records checks can be found here.
Employer details
Employer name: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address: West Suffolk Hospital, Hardwicke Lane, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ
Employer's website: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (no external links in this refined version)
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