Job overview
We are looking for a compassionate and well-organised Administrative Assistant to join our dedicated Medical Examiner Service (MES). In this important role, you will support Medical Examiners (MEs) and Medical Examiner Officers (MEOs) in reviewing the circumstances and causes of death to ensure transparency, accuracy, and quality of care.
You will play a key role in in supporting the MEs and MEOs who liaise with healthcare professionals and next of kin during the medical examination process. The role involves managing complex and sensitive information, and requires excellent interpersonal skills, empathy, and discretion. You will have a key role in helping ensure that every death is approached with respect, consistency, and a focus on learning and improvement.
Main duties of the job
Provide administrative support to the Medical Examiner Service, with the ultimate goal of ensuring Medical Certificates of Cause of Death are issued in line with departmental, regional and national policy and standards.
Triage incoming correspondence, respond to queries within limitations and escalate as appropriate to colleagues.
Act as the first point of contact for telephone enquiries, signpost to other agencies if necessary and process information in accordance with a departmental generic script and Standard Operating Procedures.
Working for our organisation
Our benefits
We offer a range of benefits to support our staff including:
1. Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants
2. 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service)
3. A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave
4. Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues, 24/7, from our Employee Assistance Programme
5. NHS Car Lease scheme and Cycle to Work scheme
6. An extensive range of learning and development opportunities
7. Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping, motoring, cinema and finance from a range of providers
For further information on the fantastic range of benefits we offer please visit the Trust's dedicated Staff Benefits pages.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
A full description of the role is available in the attachment: job description.
Please note that if a high number of applications are received this advert may close early. You are advised to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
Working for the Trust
Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co-developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.
Our values play into our ambition to develop a more diverse workforce, truly representative of our communities. We welcome applications from everyone, while working with our Staff Networks - including our Race Equality, LGBTQ+, Disability and Carers Networks - to increase the number of applications we receive from different backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to make our application process more accessible to you, please contact: .
As part of seeking to become more inclusive, we will consider requests for flexible working from the start of your employment. It may not be suitable for every role, but we will try and be supportive where we can. We would encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.
Armed Forces Friendly Employer
We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers. This means that we have made a statement of intent to support all Defence personnel, including with applications for employment.
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
8. Educated to NVQ Level 3 or experiential evidence
Skills
Essential criteria
9. The ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including the recently bereaved
Desirable criteria
10. Specialist knowledge of various faith groups funeral wishes
Skills
Essential criteria
11. Ability to plan and organise a number of complex activities or programmes which require the formulation and adjustment of plans
Experience
Essential criteria
12. Have experience and skills in day-to-day operational/process management of a service that may be unpredicatable and emotionally charged
Desirable criteria
13. Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams across the organistion
Personal skills
Essential criteria
14. Excellent communication and interprsonal skills