Medical Examiner

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

Job summary

The Medical Examiner Service at a leading hospital is seeking qualified Medical Examiners to review deaths, collaborate with clinical teams, and ensure proper death certification. This part-time role offers flexibility and a chance to improve patient safety.

Qualifications

• Registered and licensed medical practitioner in the UK.
• Knowledge of death certification legal frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Scrutinize case notes of deceased patients.
• Liaise with clinical teams on cause of death.
• Support training of resident doctors.

Skills

Team Collaboration

Clinical Governance

Communication

Education

Medical Practitioner

Medical Consultant or GP

Job description

Job summary

The Medical Examiner Service at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Foundation Trust (NNUH) is seeking to recruit Medical Examiners. This exciting opportunity is open for senior medical personnel, including Consultant and GP colleagues.

Medical Examiners are senior clinicians trained in the clinical and legal aspects of death certification.

Four Programmed Activity (PA) sessions, each lasting four hours, are available and may be allocated among suitable candidates to support service delivery. Applicants are encouraged to specify the number of PAs they wish to apply for, which will be discussed during the interview. Successful candidates will work on a fixed roster within the Medical Examiner Service offices at NNUH, Colney Lane, with an expectation of 42 sessions per annum. Flexibility is welcomed during high acuity and holiday periods.

Main duties of the job

1. Scrutinize case notes of all deceased patients not taken for investigation by HM Coroner, including those dying in primary and secondary care settings.
2. Liaise with clinical teams to agree on the cause of death for the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).
3. Discuss the final cause of death with next-of-kin in a transparent, sympathetic, and tactful manner, escalating concerns as needed.
4. Work with Medical Examiner Officers (MEOs) to highlight clinical care concerns, contributing to governance and Learning from Deaths processes.
5. Ensure appropriate referrals to HM Coroner and act as a medical resource for the Coroner when required.
6. Support training of resident doctors in completing MCCDs and provide feedback on certification accuracy.

About us

The Medical Examiner Service at NNUH has been reviewing inpatient deaths since 2019. It became statutory in September 2024, expanding to cover community deaths. The service reviews approximately 6,500 deaths annually, making it the largest in the region.

The service is based at the main NNUH site, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, including Bereavement and Mortuary teams, HM Coroner's Office, Registration Services, and Funeral Directors. The team comprises six full-time Medical Examiner Officers and eleven 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

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time

Reference number: 234-MS2365

Job locations: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, Norwich, NR4 7UY

Job description

For further information, please read the detailed job description attached.

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential):

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

Additional Qualifications:

• A commitment to lifelong learning and personal development

Experience (Essential):

• Up-to-date knowledge of causes of death and legal frameworks for death certification
• Knowledge of notification requirements to HM Coroner and the coronial process
• Understanding of clinical governance systems and how MEs can improve patient safety
• Maintain professional integrity and independence, especially regarding conflicts of interest
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team, organizing workload amidst interruptions

Additional requirements

This position is subject to DBS check, and applicants must have UK professional registration. Applications requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome. Further details are available on the UK Visas and Immigration website. Guidance on criminal record checks for overseas applicants can be found online.