Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Medical Examiner Officer

The closing date is 20 July 2025

Job summary

The West Dorset Medical Examiner Service (WDMES) is looking to recruit 2 full time Medical Examiner Officers to cover maternity leave of existing staff members. The two positions will be fixed term contracts with start and end dates to be confirmed.

The Service is based at Dorset County Hospital, providing independent review of all non-Coronial deaths in the West of Dorset for both the Hospital and in the Community.

The Medical Examiner Officers will support Medical Examiners in their role in scrutinising the circumstances surrounding causes of death, to act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patient's death, andbe a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals, His Majesty's Coroner and Registration Services.

The Medical Examiner Officers (MEOs) will be part of an existing team acting as experts in death certification and scrutiny of Non-Coronial deaths, assisting in highlighting cases for assessment by the Structured Judgement Review team, Child Death Overview Panel, Clinical Governance Teams and the Learning Disability Review Teams.

There is significant emotional effort associated with dealing with bereaved families.

Main duties of the job

To undertake a wide ranging a multifactorial initial review of medical records (paper and electronic), supporting the Medical Examiner in their scrutiny.

To analyse and assist in highlighting cases for assessment in respect of maternal and child death, safeguarding, Learning Disability (LeDeR) cases, and those requiring review under the Serious Incident reporting process.

To ensure cases are referred to the Structured Judgement Review (SJR) Process if required.

To maintain robust electronic records of all deaths, aligning with current information systems in place. This requires use of a computer for extended periods of time daily to undertake complex data input and analysis.

About us

The Medical Examiner Service is a statutory, independent service, hosted by DCHFT. At present, there are 3 full-time Medical Examiner Officers who assist 9 Medical Examiners in their role in scrutinising all non-coronial deaths in West Dorset. Medical Examiners work part-time, with a maximum of 2 per day.

The Medical Examiner Officers are integral to the effective operation of the department, ensuring continuity of service and coordination following the death of each person. They are jointly managed by the Mortuary & Bereavement Services Manager and the Lead Medical Examiner.

WDMES sits within the Mortuary & Bereavement Services Department, and there is a requirement to undertake DCHFT Mandatory Training.

At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.

Date posted

11 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year Per Annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

405-25-AC284MEO

Job locations

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details on the role and responsibilities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details on the role and responsibilities.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential

Educated to Bachelor's Degree Level, or evidence of study/equivalent practical experience at an advanced level
Commenced the Medical Examiner e-Learning core training modules prior to starting the post

Desirable

Completed Medical Examiner e-Learning core training modules prior to starting the post

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Full understanding of the Medical Examiner system operational remit when incorporated within Bereavement Services or as a standalone office
Experience of having sensitive communication with potentially distressed families
Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations
To have qualifications/skills in day to day operational/process management of a customer facing service where users may have unpredictable and emotionally charged needs

Desirable

Knowledge of the Coroner and Justice Act 2009 with reference to the Medical Examiner System
Knowledge of patient information systems SysmOne, ICE, DPR, PACS, RiO etc
Knowledge of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death Regulations 2024
Knowledge of the Medical Examiner Regulations 2024
Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multidisciplinary teams across organisational boundaries
Knowledge of the Public sector/NHS work structures

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism with all stakeholders
Ability to work to deadlines
Extensive use of database packages and knowledge and experience of using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word etc.)

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential

Educated to Bachelor's Degree Level, or evidence of study/equivalent practical experience at an advanced level
Commenced the Medical Examiner e-Learning core training modules prior to starting the post

Desirable

Completed Medical Examiner e-Learning core training modules prior to starting the post

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Full understanding of the Medical Examiner system operational remit when incorporated within Bereavement Services or as a standalone office
Experience of having sensitive communication with potentially distressed families
Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations
To have qualifications/skills in day to day operational/process management of a customer facing service where users may have unpredictable and emotionally charged needs

Desirable

Knowledge of the Coroner and Justice Act 2009 with reference to the Medical Examiner System
Knowledge of patient information systems SysmOne, ICE, DPR, PACS, RiO etc
Knowledge of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death Regulations 2024
Knowledge of the Medical Examiner Regulations 2024
Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multidisciplinary teams across organisational boundaries
Knowledge of the Public sector/NHS work structures

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism with all stakeholders
Ability to work to deadlines
Extensive use of database packages and knowledge and experience of using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word etc.)

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)