Job summary
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) created the Medical Examiner system in England and Wales in response to observations made in the Third Report of the Shipman Inquiry and other reports. In 2024 new legislation was introduced mandating the review of all non-coronial deaths by a medical examiner. The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death Regulations 2024
Medical Examiners (MEs) are senior and independent doctors specifically trained to review deaths through a process of a) proportionate review of medical records b) discussion with the attending practitioner and c) a discussion with the bereaved. This ensures accurate death certification/referral to the coroner, provides governance assurance to healthcare providers and directly contributes to learning and improvement. Crucially, the conversation with the bereaved provides them with support at a difficult time, offering an opportunity to ask questions and give feedback to an independent doctor.
The Imperial Medical Examiner service has delivered independent review of all deaths in our hospitals since it was established in 2019. Recent statutory changes mean that we now review all non-coronial deaths in both our acute hospitals and community in the boroughs of Westminster and Hammersmith & Fulham. In addition to our weekday service we provide a weekend and bank holiday service to support families who need urgent review for religious reasons.
Main duties of the job
Medical examiners (MEs) receive a combination of e-learning and face-to-face training via the Royal College of Pathologists, and are encouraged to take medical Examiner membership of the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPathME). It is recommended that MEs are consultant grade doctors from a range of disciplines (including GP principals). MEs will take a consistent approach to the formulation of MCCD content, which must be clinically accurate. MEs must be independent and not have been involved in the care of the deceased patients for deaths they scrutinise. They work as part of a team of Medical Examiners and Medical Examiners Officers.
This position reports to the Trust Lead Medical Examiner, with dual accountability to both the Trust Medical Director, and the London Regional Medical Examiner, and ultimately the National Medical Examiner.
These roles are part-time and are to be performed as part of a job plan that contains clinical and other activities. Up to two PAs are available in this round of recruitment.
About us
At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care. Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You'll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career. Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.
We encourage staff to have the Covid vaccination to protect themselves, patients, other colleagues as well as the wider community. Please note it is an operational requirement to comply with infection prevention and control procedures within the Trust such as lateral flow testing, handwashing and the wearing of masks, according to the procedures in place at any time or location.
As part of our continued response to Covid19 we are still conducting the majority of our interviews virtually.
We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part-time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Medical Examiners have a number of responsibilities including:
To ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current 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 national guidance.
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.
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, timely records of all deaths scrutinised, enabling analysis to provide information to healthcare providers and the National Medical Examiners office.
To support the training of junior doctors in their understanding of death certification and promote good practice in accurate completion of MCCDs.
To work with medical examiner officers (MEOs), delegating duties as appropriate.
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.
To complete necessary training and engage with appraisal and feedback processes relating to the Medical Examiner role
Job description
Job responsibilities
Medical Examiners have a number of responsibilities including:
To ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current 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 national guidance.
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.
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, timely records of all deaths scrutinised, enabling analysis to provide information to healthcare providers and the National Medical Examiners office.
To support the training of junior doctors in their understanding of death certification and promote good practice in accurate completion of MCCDs.
To work with medical examiner officers (MEOs), delegating duties as appropriate.
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.
To complete necessary training and engage with appraisal and feedback processes relating to the Medical Examiner role
Person Specification
Knowledge, Skills and Performance
Essential
- Medical practitioner registered and licensed to practise in the UK by the GMC.
- MEs should have up-to-date knowledge of causes of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certification processes.
- IT skills including use of email and commonly used software.
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity
Safety and Quality - Clinical Governance
Essential
- 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.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Skills and Performance
Essential
- Medical practitioner registered and licensed to practise in the UK by the GMC.
- MEs should have up-to-date knowledge of causes of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certification processes.
- IT skills including use of email and commonly used software.
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity
Safety and Quality - Clinical Governance
Essential
- 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.
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.
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.
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).
