Medical Examiner Officer

Job summary

***Previous applicants need not apply***

The North Midlands Medical Examiner Service was first established in 2019 and provides independent scrutiny of the causes and circumstances of a patient's death. The service became a statutory function in September 2024 in England and Wales, therefore all deaths now need either to be scrutinised by a Medical Examiner or referred to a Coroner.

Due to internal promotion, we have a rare opportunity to join our team on a permanent basis. We're looking for a highly skilled individual with the ability to blend compassion and diplomacy, along with strong administration, interpersonal and decision-making skills. A level of empathy is required, as the deceased and their loved ones are at the heart of everything we do. Strong mental resilience is also key, as you will deal with various circumstances of death on a daily basis.

The ideal candidate would have:-

• Significant experience in a patient or customer facing role
• Experience of current death certification systems (although not essential)
• An understanding of medical terminology to enable discussion with medical professionals, the bereaved, Coroner & Registration Services
• Strong communication skills and be comfortable working with the bereaved
• The ability to build and maintain effective working relationships

Working hours are compressed over 4 days, usual day off will be Thursdays (some flexibility will be required). Weekends and bank holidays are covered on rotation with other MEOs.

Main duties of the job

You will need excellent organisational and case management skills, as you will be working in a busy team dynamic, managing fluctuating workloads within pressurised time constraints. The day-to-day duties are:-

• To support Medical Examiners in their role of scrutinising patient deaths
• To receive medical records and facilitate case discussion between Attending Practitioners and Medical Examiners
• To co-ordinate the office workload and ensure that cases progress appropriately within agreed timescales
• To liaise with bereaved relatives, explain causes of death, provide signposting as necessary and advise on the practical steps to be taken following a loved one's death
• To be a point of contact and source of advice for incoming queries to the Medical Examiner's Office
• Calling on your highly advanced administrative skills; to ensure that legal paperwork is completed accurately, and using various bespoke software systems/databases requiring a meticulous approach to accurate data input - all whilst dealing with large volumes of correspondence and queries within pressurised time constraints
• To be flexible and provide cover across the department as required to ensure an effective, efficient and sensitive service is offered to the bereaved at all times (you will work at different hospital sites dependent on service needs)

About us

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Address

Royal Stoke University Hospital

Newcastle Road

Stoke-on-Trent

ST4 6QG

Employer's website

https://www.uhnm.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

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Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Address

Royal Stoke University Hospital

Newcastle Road

Stoke-on-Trent

ST4 6QG

Employer's website

https://www.uhnm.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

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