Job overview
Since 9 September 2024, all deaths that are not investigated by a Coroner will be reviewed by NHS Medical Examiners. The changes form part of the Department of Health and Social Care’s death certification reforms.
The Salisbury Medical Examiner Service is looking to add to our team of Medical Examiner Officers (MEO) to provide support to the Medical Examiners in their role scrutinising the circumstances and causes of death.
Medical Examiner Officers are a point of contact and source of advice for bereaved families, healthcare professionals, HM Coroner and registration services.
(happy to discuss the option of a 12 month secondment)
Main duties of the job
Salisbury Medical Examiner Service require a registered healthcare professional with current nursing or relevant clinical experience with a good understanding of medical terminology to work as a Medical Examiner Officer (MEO).
MEO’s support the Medical Examiners in their role in scrutinising the circumstances and causes of death by completing a preliminary review of patient records and obtaining the necessary information required for the ME to be able to establish a cause of death.
The post holder will require excellent written and verbal communication skills with a high attention to detail, with the ability to communicate in sometimes difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism.
Working for our organisation
Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust (SFT) is an innovative hospital with a proud heritage and over 250 years of experience behind us. Here we’re driven to deliver an outstanding experience for everyone and have been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment we continue to provide for our patients and also our staff.
We are an acute Trust, rated “Good” by the CQC, with a track record of high performance providing regional and super regional specialist services such as: Burns, Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery, Wessex Regional Genetics Laboratory, Wessex Rehabilitation, Spires Cleft Centre and the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre. We have about 470 beds and employ over 4000 staff.
We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. We think working here is pretty rewarding. You can access a range of NHS discounts, receive a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme. On-site benefits include car parking (fee applies), leisure centre, day nursery and holiday play scheme.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached Job description and person specification for full details of roles and responsibilities
Person specification
Registered Healthcare Professional
Essential criteria
1. Registered NMC professional
2. Experience of speaking with bereaved families
3. Commenced Medical Examiner e-learning modules
Desirable criteria
4. Understanding of death certification process
5. Nursing and/or other clinical experience
These include but aren't limited to:-
6. Holiday starting at 27 days plus Bank Holidays rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years for Agenda for Change staff
7. Holiday entitlement for Medical and Dental staff starts at 27 days for Junior/Senior Clinical Fellows, Specialty Doctors and rises to 32 days after 5 years. Consultant entitlement starts at 32 days and rises to 34 days after 7 years
8. An additional day's leave to celebrate your birthday (after 12 months & non contractual) pro rata
9. Access to a career average revalued earnings pension scheme
10. Life assurance if a member of the pension scheme
11. An extensive Health and Wellbeing offer to help you deal with life's challenges
12. Exclusive deals and discounts websites saving you money on everyday purchases, treats for the family, eating out and utility bills for home
13. Cycle to work scheme
14. Uniform provided (where required)
15. On site Day Nursery and Holiday Play scheme
16. On site health and fitness club
17. On site car parking (fee's and restrictions apply)
18. Opportunities to get on - take advantage of our ongoing learning opportunities and training, to help you achieve the job and career you want.