Job summary
The Medical Examiner (ME) system was introduced in 2019 to independently review and confirm cause of death in all patients who died within the Trust. Medical Examiners are supported in this role by medical examiner's officers (MEO) who administer the service and are a point of contact and a source of expertise and advice for healthcare professionals, relatives, the coroner and Registration services.
Since September 2024, it has been a statutory requirement to include the review of all deaths in the local health community of West Northamptonshire - covering all healthcare providers (NGH, primary care, community hospitals and mental health providers). The medical examiner officer team consists of 3 MEOs and 1 lead MEO.
We are looking to recruit 1 lead MEO to fill a vacancy we have due to our current lead MEO's retirement.
We are looking for someone with outstanding communication skills, especially under pressure, who demonstrates leadership qualities and is comfortable making decisions and taking responsibility. We are looking for a great team player who is confident speaking to the recently bereaved and interacting with stakeholders including HMC Coroner, Regional and National Medical Examiner Teams and clinical teams from all healthcare settings.
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative. We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Date posted: 22 April 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £37,338 to £44,962 a year Dependant on experience
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 265-7135026
Job locations: Northampton General Hospital
Cliftonville
Northampton
NN1 5BD
Professional
The role requires knowledge and experience of the statutory process around death certification, legal frameworks and the relationship between the ME service and other related organisations.
The post holder will work alongside the Lead ME to develop protocols, guidelines and policies for service development and expansion of the service, particularly expansion of the service into the community.
The post holder will work alongside the NGH Bereavement team to ensure timely and correct completion and communication of death certification (for deaths at NGH).
The post holder will work closely with community healthcare providers in all settings to ensure timely and correct completion and communication of death certification (for deaths in the community).
The post holder will be required to provide documentation and quality data for audit of the ME system for internal and external purposes, including collecting and analysing data to maximise learning from deaths.
The post holder should have knowledge and experience of quality and service improvement to be able to develop the service.
The post holder should be familiar with the Datix system.
The post holder will support the Lead ME to monitor the quality of the service provided including process data, next of kin experience and feedback and interactions with relevant governance processes.
The post holder will be expected to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage at all levels and lead discussions on highly sensitive and emotive issues with bereaved families, clinicians and coroners.
Clinical Responsibilities
Data collection and scrutiny responsibilities
Financial responsibilities
Management responsibilities
Essential
Desirable
Essential
Desirable
Essential
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.
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.
Employer name: Northampton General Hospital
Address: Northampton General Hospital, Cliftonville, Northampton, NN1 5BD
Employer's website: https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx