Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Deputy Lead Medical Examiner Officer

The closing date is 09 September 2025

Job summary

Portsmouth Medical Examiner Service has been providing scrutiny for over 5 years and providing support to the bereaved. Now that the statutory system is well underway, we are looking for a Deputy Lead MEO to manage the office day to day, take responsibility for staff education and development and support the Lead MEO in developing our service further.

Main duties of the job

As Deputy Lead Medical Examiner Officer you will: support the management and leadership of the MEO team, support the co-ordination of the Medical Examiner service to ensure timely and efficient completion of certification processes required after a death, support medical examiners in their role in scrutinising the circumstances and causes of death, be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals, HM Coroner and registration services, involved in the death certification process.

About us

Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity of issues around formalities following a death.

Date posted

26 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 a year Band 6 - £37,338 to £44,962 per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

REF1642M

Job locations

Queen Alexandra Hosp, Southwick Hill Road

Cosham

Portsmouth

PO6 3LY

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3LY, Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom

Portsmouth

England

PO6 3LY

Queen Alexandra Hosp, Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3LY, Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom

Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3LY, Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom

Portsmouth

PO6 3LY

Job description

Job responsibilities

All MEOs support medical examiners in their role in scrutinising the circumstances and causes of death and have a vital role in explaining cause(s) of death proposed for the death certificate to the bereaved. This includes answering their questions, clarifying any terminology or misunderstandings, and signposting appropriately in cases of disagreement or concern.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

- Educated to Degree Level and/or significant experience in a relevant field
- Advanced communication skills with a wide range of stakeholders, including the recently bereaved and senior level professionals.
- Qualified Medical Examiner Officer with experience working in the role

Desirable

Leadership or management qualification

Experience

Essential

Leading and influencing teams to achieve objectives. Working with people in sensitive and emotional situations. Managing and implementing change in complex clinical environments. Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams. Experience of preparing, developing, and delivering training of staff. Writing reports and presentations. Familiarity with HR and governance procedures. Experience of working as a Medical Examiner Officer. Experience of supporting the bereaved.

Desirable

Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity of issues around formalities following a death.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

- Educated to Degree Level and/or significant experience in a relevant field
- Advanced communication skills with a wide range of stakeholders, including the recently bereaved and senior level professionals.
- Qualified Medical Examiner Officer with experience working in the role

Desirable

Leadership or management qualification

Experience

Essential

Leading and influencing teams to achieve objectives. Working with people in sensitive and emotional situations. Managing and implementing change in complex clinical environments. Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams. Experience of preparing, developing, and delivering training of staff. Writing reports and presentations. Familiarity with HR and governance procedures. Experience of working as a Medical Examiner Officer. Experience of supporting the bereaved.

Desirable

Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity of issues around formalities following a death.

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.