Lead Medical Examiner

NHS; Norwich; On-site; GBP 105,000 - 140,000; Part time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider is seeking a Lead Medical Examiner to enhance clinical leadership within the Medical Examiner Service. This pivotal role involves collaborating with various departments to ensure compliance and improve patient safety. The successful candidate will lead a dedicated team in reviewing inpatient and community deaths, ensuring accurate reporting and adherence to legal standards. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a vital service that supports bereaved families and enhances clinical governance. Join a dynamic team committed to excellence in healthcare delivery.

Qualifications

• Registered medical practitioner with GMC license.
• Experience in managing complex services and resources.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership to the Medical Examiner Service.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements for death certification.

Skills

Line management experience

Knowledge of coronial function

Performance management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Medical practitioner registered in the UK

Medical Consultant or GP

Job description

Job summary

The Medical Directors Office, in collaboration with the Medical Examiner Service at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Foundation Trust (NNUH), is seeking a Lead Medical Examiner to provide clinical leadership to the Medical Examiner Service based at NNUH.

The successful applicant will work closely with the Trust Bereavement Office and Mortuary Department to lead the Medical Examiner Service, providing a 5-day service with out-of-hours cover for urgent release cases. The post holder will be accountable to the Regional Medical Examiner and the NNUH Medical Director.

Main duties of the job

1. Provide clinical leadership to the Medical Examiner Service at NNUH, ensuring compliance with legal and procedural requirements related to certification, investigation by HM Coroner, and registration of deaths within a Local Authority.
2. Adopt a collaborative working relationship with other Medical Examiners by sharing experiences and expertise to support peer learning and set uniform standards of service delivery.
3. Maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinized, undertake analysis, and provide information to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and locally for clinical governance purposes. Ensure quarterly reporting is completed and submitted on time.
4. Act as a point of escalation for concerns, trends, etc., and report concerns to the Regional Medical Examiner or Trust Medical Director as appropriate.
5. Work collaboratively with the Lead Medical Examiner Officer to ensure efficient office operations, including managing cover for planned/unplanned leave, and support other Medical Examiners with difficult cases or second opinions.
6. Serve as a subject matter expert and lead engagement with external organizations such as the Coroners Service, registration services, faith groups, ICB colleagues, Primary care colleagues, CDOP, LEDER teams.

About us

The Medical Examiner Service at NNUH has been reviewing all inpatient deaths since 2019. Since September 2024, the service has become statutory and expanded to cover community deaths. The NNUH Medical Examiner Office is the largest in the region, reviewing approximately 6,500 deaths annually.

The service is based at the main NNUH site and maintains close relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the Bereavement and Mortuary teams, HM Coroner's Office, Registration Services, and local Funeral Directors. The team comprises 6 full-time Medical Examiner Officers and 11 part-time Medical Examiners.

Details

Date posted: 09 May 2025

Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade: Consultant

Salary: £105,504 to £139,882 per year (pro-rata for part-time)

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time

Reference number: 234-MS2366

Location: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, Norwich, NR4 7UY

Job responsibilities

For further details, please refer to the attached detailed job description for the Medical Examiner post.

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential):

• Medical practitioner registered and licensed to practice in the UK by the GMC
• Medical Consultant or GP

Experience (Essential):

• Line management experience in a large, complex service
• Proven ability to manage resources effectively
• Up-to-date knowledge of notification requirements to HM Coroner and the coronial function
• Proven ability in performance management and staff development
• Knowledge of local and national clinical governance systems and how the ME can collaborate to improve patient safety

Attitude (Essential):

• Strong interpersonal skills, demonstrating empathy and professionalism in emotional situations
• Maintain professional integrity and independence, especially where conflicts of interest may arise
• Ability to work as part of a team and organize a fluctuating workload around priorities and interruptions

Additional requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required to check for any criminal convictions.

Applications from those requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome. Further information is available on the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, applicants must present a criminal record certificate from each country of residence exceeding 12 months in total over the past 10 years. Guidance is available online.

Applicants must hold current UK professional registration. Details are available on the NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Address: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, Norwich, NR4 7UY

Website: https://teamnnuh.co.uk/