Medical Examiner Officers

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in Liverpool is seeking a Medical Examiner Officer to support bereaved families and ensure compliance with death certification processes. The ideal candidate will have a degree or equivalent experience, knowledge of medical terminology, and excellent communication skills. This position demands sensitivity to emotional circumstances and the ability to handle identifiable patient data responsibly. Commitment to equality and diversity is essential.

Qualifications

• Must understand statutory death-certification processes.
• Specialist knowledge of faith groups’ funeral wishes.
• Ability to handle patient identifiable data securely.

Responsibilities

• Act as an intermediary between bereaved families and clinicians.
• Oversee death certification processes.
• Perform preliminary reviews of medical records.

Skills

Knowledge of medical terminology

Advanced IT skills

Excellent verbal communication skills

Ability to work in pressured environments

Computer literate

Education

Educated to degree level or equivalent

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity to be part of the Medical Examiner service. This role supports the Lead Medical Examiner Officer in ensuring that key performance indicators are met and that relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals, HM Coroner and registration services receive timely, sensitive support. Candidates will be required to complete mandatory e‑learning modules and face‑to‑face training.

Responsibilities

• Act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to address concerns relating to a patient’s death.
• Work with medical examiners to oversee the death certification process for all deceased patients.
• Establish the circumstances of individual patient deaths by performing a preliminary review of medical records.
• Refer patients to HM Coroner for further investigation upon approval by the Medical Examiner.
• Maintain awareness of the diverse needs of users of the Medical Examiner system to ensure equality for all groups (sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability).
• Juggle conflicting demands, prioritise tasks and respond to queries as they arise.
• Ensure full compliance with secure handling of patient identifiable data.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent practical experience (e.g., nursing, clinical experience).
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Understanding of statutory death‑certification processes and the legal framework around the Medical Examiner system.
• Ability to work in a highly pressured, unpredictable environment where bereavement care is central.
• Specialist knowledge of faith groups’ funeral wishes/practices to enable respectful compliance with specific timescales and procedures.
• Computer literate – able to use multiple IT software systems for recording personal identifiable data and producing statistical information.

Desirable

• Experience working with people in sensitive and emotional situations.
• Experience working in a healthcare setting with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience working across organisational boundaries.
• Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009 and the operational remit of the Medical Examiner system within Bereavement Services.
• Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity around post‑death formalities.
• Understanding of quality management systems.
• Knowledge of the Human Tissue Authority and the Human Tissue Act 2004.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team and organise fluctuating workloads around competing priorities.
• Highly evolved empathetic and self‑awareness skills to support bereaved families, including those with barriers due to grief or disability.
• Advanced IT skills and experience handling personally identifiable data.

We cannot offer visa sponsorship for roles with an annual salary below £25,000.

The Trust is committed to promoting equality and diversity and welcomes applicants from under‑represented groups, including black, Asian and minority ethnic, LGBTQ+ and disabled individuals.