Medical Examiner
Job summary
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 elearning is completed before interview and it is expected that face to face training, if not already completed, should take place within 6 months of starting the role.
Main duties of the job
- To ensure compliance with legal and procedural requirements relating to current and reformed processes for death certification, coroner investigation, and registration.
- To scrutinise causes of death provided by attending doctors in a proportionate, consistent manner in line with national protocols.
- To discuss and explain causes of death to next of kin/informants sensitively, transparently, and tactfully, mainly via telephone where barriers to understanding exist.
- To ensure all users of the Medical Examiner (ME) system are treated with dignity and without discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, or disability.
- To maintain accurate records of all deaths reviewed and provide analysis and information to the National Medical Examiner's Office.
- To identify deaths that may require reporting as serious incidents and ensure referral for structured judgement reviews where appropriate.
- To participate in clinical governance activities, including audits, mortality reviews, investigations, and complaints relating to patient care.
- To support and train junior doctors in death certification and promote accurate completion of MCCDs.
- To countersign AP MCCDs and issue ME MCCDs following receipt of CN1B forms from the Coroner.
- To work collaboratively with Medical Examiner Officers (MEOs), site medical directors, and fellow Medical Examiners, sharing expertise to support peer learning and consistent service standards.
About us
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 rewardingand 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 and unique opportunities to innovate and inspire - all in a county where you can enjoy your life to the full, whatever your interest.
Details
Date posted
23 April 2026
Pay scheme
Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade
Consultant
Salary
£109,725 to £145,478 a year pro rata, per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
344-4041CONCOR-A
Job locations
Canterbury/Margate/Ashford
canterbury
CT1 3NG
Job description
Job 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 way that is proportionate, consistent and compliant 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 provideinformation to the National Medical Examiners 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.
Job description
Job 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 way that is proportionate, consistent and compliant 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 provideinformation to the National Medical Examiners 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.
Person Specification
Qualifications and training
Essential
- Candidates will have successfully completed the approved components of the national on-line training curriculum prior to applying.
- Registered as a medical practitioner with a licence to practise throughout the previous five years as at the date of appointment.
Desirable
- Fully accredited as a medical examiner (RCPathME)
Skills
Essential
- Broad Medical Knowledge to enable scrutiny of deaths and ability to recognise learning opportunities.
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity
- Knowledge of local and national clinical governance systems and an understanding of how the ME can work collaboratively to improve patient safety by identifying sub-optimal clinical and organisational performance
Desirable
- Ability to manage and comply with sensitive information-based processes under tight timescales with a proportionate approach.
Clinical governance
Essential
- Knowledge of systems that enable learning from errors and complaints
Desirable
- Experience of evidence-based practise.
Personal/professional attributes
Essential
- Upholds and models the Trust Values
- Adheres to the GMC code of conduct
Other requirements
Essential
- Commitment to travel across sites.
- Have the resilience to manage own reaction to frequently distressing situations and support others within the team.
Person Specification
Qualifications and training
Essential
- Candidates will have successfully completed the approved components of the national on-line training curriculum prior to applying.
- Registered as a medical practitioner with a licence to practise throughout the previous five years as at the date of appointment.
Desirable
- Fully accredited as a medical examiner (RCPathME)
Skills
Essential
- Broad Medical Knowledge to enable scrutiny of deaths and ability to recognise learning opportunities.
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity
- Knowledge of local and national clinical governance systems and an understanding of how the ME can work collaboratively to improve patient safety by identifying sub-optimal clinical and organisational performance
Desirable
- Ability to manage and comply with sensitive information-based processes under tight timescales with a proportionate approach.
Clinical governance
Essential
- Knowledge of systems that enable learning from errors and complaints
Desirable
- Experience of evidence-based practise.
Personal/professional attributes
Essential
- Upholds and models the Trust Values
- Adheres to the GMC code of conduct
Other requirements
Essential
- Commitment to travel across sites.
- Have the resilience to manage own reaction to frequently distressing situations and support others within the team.
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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional 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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Canterbury/Margate/Ashford
canterbury
CT1 3NG
Employer's website
https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Canterbury/Margate/Ashford
canterbury
CT1 3NG
Employer's website
https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)