Medical examiners (MEs) are appropriately trained doctors who will verify clinical information on Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs) and ensure that the right referrals are made to the coroner for further investigation.
A practising medical practitioner who has been on the general medical council register for a minimum of five years post registration can apply to be a medical examiner. It is recommended that medical examiners are consultant grade doctors from a range of disciplines, including GP principals. Accreditation as a Medical Examiner is through the Royal College of Pathology and has two components: e-learning and face‑to‑face training. It is expected that the e‑learning is completed before interview and that face‑to‑face training, if not already completed, should take place within six months of starting the role.
Qualifications
A practising medical practitioner who has been on the general medical council register for a minimum of five years post registration can apply to be a medical examiner. It is recommended that medical examiners are consultant grade doctors from a range of disciplines, including GP principals. Accreditation as a Medical Examiner is through the Royal College of Pathology and has two components: e‑learning and face‑to‑face training. It is expected that the e‑learning is completed before interview and that face‑to‑face training, if not already completed, should take place within six months of starting the role.
Responsibilities
* To ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current and proposed reformed processes of certification, investigation by coroners and registration of deaths.
* To scrutinise the certified causes of death offered by attending doctors in a proportionate, consistent and compliant manner with the proposed national protocol.
* To discuss and explain the cause of death with next of kin/informants in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner. It is anticipated that such discussions will be predominately conducted through telephone conversations where barriers to understanding information may exist.
* To ensure that all users of the ME system are treated with respect and are not discriminated against on the grounds of sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
* To maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis to provide information to the National Medical Examiner’s office.
* To identify deaths that could potentially be reported as untoward serious incidents via the trust governance systems and ensure referral for structured judgement reviews of mortality where indicated.
* To participate in relevant clinical governance activities relating to death certification including audits, mortality review processes and investigations regarding formal complaints about patient care.
* To support the training of junior doctors in their understanding of death certification and promote good practice in accurate completion of MCCDs.
* To countersign AP MCCDS and issue ME MCCDs on receipt of CN1Bs from the Coroner.
* To work with medical examiner officers (MEOs), delegating duties as appropriate.
* To engage with the site medical director, fellow MEs and the MEOs.
* To adopt a collaborative working relationship with other MEs by sharing experiences and expertise to support peer learning and set uniform standards of service delivery.
About the Trust
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with three acute hospitals and community sites serving a local population of around 800,000. We also provide specialist services for Kent and Medway. We’re on an exciting journey of transformation, with a new Medical School at the centre of our community, a focus on research, clinical leadership, and making our trust a rewarding and friendly place to work – there’s never been a better time to join us.
At East Kent, we will do all we can to help you grow a career around you, your family, your location, and your interests. We offer flexible and fulfilling career solutions that work for you, along with unique opportunities to innovate and inspire – all in a county where you can enjoy your life to the full, whatever your interest.
This advert closes on Sunday 1 Mar 2026.
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