Medical Examiner Officer (MEO)
Job summary
To support Medical Examiners in their role in scrutinising the circumstances and causes of death. To be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals and Coroner and Registration services.
Main duties of the job
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.
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 send Medical Certificate of cause of death (MCCD) to registration services and discuss causes of death with the bereaved.
Maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of users of the medical examiner system to ensure equality to any particular group defined by sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
The Medical Examiner Officer at Stockport NHS FT and East Cheshire Trust will support the Medical Examiner team with the roll out and implementation of the service across Stockport, East Cheshire and High Peak.
About us
We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.
We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.
We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.
If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.
We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.
Benefits we offer to you:
- Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
- NHS pension scheme membership
- Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
- NHS Staff discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
- Stockport Credit Union- for local financial advice
Details
Date posted
22 April 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
£32,073 to £39,043 a year pro rata per annum
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
11 months
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
362-ADM5MED-04-26
Job locations
Stepping Hill Hospital
Stockport
SK2 7JE
Job description
Job responsibilities
Act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patients death.
Deal with bereaved families who may have barriers to understanding information due to their grief or disability.
Regular interaction with the bereaved relatives in person or over the telephone, demonstrating empathy and remaining professional at all times.
Liaise with the coroners service and doctors to ensure completion of coroner referrals for further investigation on approval by the medical examiner
Understanding medical terminology to enable informed discussions about causes/circumstances of death with bereaved families, clinicians, coroner and registration service staff.
Use specialist knowledge of various faith groups funeral wishes/practices to enable respectful compliance with tight and specific timescales and procedures.
To assist in highlighting cases for assessment by the learning from deaths review
Collection of relevant fees and creation of financial reports.
The Medical Examiner Officer will be required to support the Medical Examiners in any relevant governance activities relating to scrutiny and confirmation of the cause of death where concerns have been raised by the next of kin/informant of the deceased and/or clinical staff and ME scrutiny.
Contribute to and review departmental policies and procedures to reflect best practice in the delivery of a medical examiner system.
Responsibilities for Human Resources and Leadership.
The Medical Examiner Officer is expected to take responsibility for their own continuing professional development in accordance with any standards for maintaining any relevant professional body.
Attend local and national activities to maintain up to date knowledge.
Participate in Appraisal process.
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.
Use multiple IT software for recording personal identifiable data and producing statistical information for the National Medical Examiners office and Public Health surveillance.
Full compliance with secure handling of patient identifiable data is essential.
Assist in collection of data for national and local returns.
There is significant emotional effort associated with dealing with bereaved families.
To use a computer for prolonged periods of time daily.
Car driver to enable travel between two or more sites.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patients death.
Deal with bereaved families who may have barriers to understanding information due to their grief or disability.
Regular interaction with the bereaved relatives in person or over the telephone, demonstrating empathy and remaining professional at all times.
Liaise with the coroners service and doctors to ensure completion of coroner referrals for further investigation on approval by the medical examiner
Understanding medical terminology to enable informed discussions about causes/circumstances of death with bereaved families, clinicians, coroner and registration service staff.
Use specialist knowledge of various faith groups funeral wishes/practices to enable respectful compliance with tight and specific timescales and procedures.
To assist in highlighting cases for assessment by the learning from deaths review
Collection of relevant fees and creation of financial reports.
The Medical Examiner Officer will be required to support the Medical Examiners in any relevant governance activities relating to scrutiny and confirmation of the cause of death where concerns have been raised by the next of kin/informant of the deceased and/or clinical staff and ME scrutiny.
Contribute to and review departmental policies and procedures to reflect best practice in the delivery of a medical examiner system.
Responsibilities for Human Resources and Leadership.
The Medical Examiner Officer is expected to take responsibility for their own continuing professional development in accordance with any standards for maintaining any relevant professional body.
Attend local and national activities to maintain up to date knowledge.
Participate in Appraisal process.
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.
Use multiple IT software for recording personal identifiable data and producing statistical information for the National Medical Examiners office and Public Health surveillance.
Full compliance with secure handling of patient identifiable data is essential.
Assist in collection of data for national and local returns.
There is significant emotional effort associated with dealing with bereaved families.
To use a computer for prolonged periods of time daily.
Car driver to enable travel between two or more sites.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Batchelor's degree level or evidence of study/equivalent practical experience at an advanced level; this might include nursing and/or other NHS experience, or experience as a Bereavement Officer or equivalent working knowledge in related field,.eg; Coroner Officer, Bereavement Officer, NHS,GP surgery etc
- 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 free 'e-learning for health' MEO core training modules prior to starting in the post.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the statutory process around death certification legal frameworks and how the medical examiner system aligns with other related organisations and NHS initiatives.
Desirable
- General knowledge of clinical/medical terminology.
- 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.
Experience
Desirable
- Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations.
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal and communication 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 in a fast paced environment.
- Competent in the use of IT software systems such as excel, and handling sensitive personal identifiable data.
- 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.
- Use of/or own car for travel between Stepping Hill Hospital and Macclesfield District General Hospital.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Batchelor's degree level or evidence of study/equivalent practical experience at an advanced level; this might include nursing and/or other NHS experience, or experience as a Bereavement Officer or equivalent working knowledge in related field,.eg; Coroner Officer, Bereavement Officer, NHS,GP surgery etc
- 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 free 'e-learning for health' MEO core training modules prior to starting in the post.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the statutory process around death certification legal frameworks and how the medical examiner system aligns with other related organisations and NHS initiatives.
Desirable
- General knowledge of clinical/medical terminology.
- 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.
Experience
Desirable
- Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations.
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal and communication 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 in a fast paced environment.
- Competent in the use of IT software systems such as excel, and handling sensitive personal identifiable data.
- 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.
- Use of/or own car for travel between Stepping Hill Hospital and Macclesfield District General Hospital.
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).
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Stepping Hill Hospital
Stockport
SK2 7JE
Employer's website
http://www.stockport.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Stepping Hill Hospital
Stockport
SK2 7JE