Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Job Title: Medical ExaminerStart Date: ASAPContract Type: Permanent
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
This post has been created by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in response to observations made in the Third Report of the Shipman Inquiry. The introduction of the medical examiner system promotes robust, transparent and independent scrutiny of death certification processes
Post to commence as soon as recruitment process allows - looking for someone who can work a specified day.
You need to have sound medical experience, investigative nature, clear communication and a passion for people.
Small team who work closely but network widely.
The role is the last opportunity to care for someone following death.
About us
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Perform proportionate scrutiny of the deceaseds case by reviewing the case notes, interrogating historical patient notes and where appropriate speaking to the qualified attending practitioner (AP).Agree to the proposed cause of death and accuracy of the Medical Certificate for the Cause of Death (MCCD).Be prepared to sign the completed MCCD verifying the accuracy of the cause of death and be in a position to sign MCCD on behalf of colleague Medical Examiners.Establish whether the case warrants referral to HM Coroner for further action.Offer medical advice (but not act as an expert witness) to HM Coroner.Discuss cause of death with the deceased nominated contact in conjunction with the Medical Examiner Officers (MEO) when appropriate.Establish whether the case needs internal referral to patient safety or specialty morbidity and mortality meetings.Report any identified trends in where clinical care falls short of what would be normally expected.
For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for. It outlines the essential criteria for the role and is designed to support you in preparing your application by helping you evaluate how your skills, experience, and professional background align with the requirements of the role.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The successful candidate will be employed under the terms and conditions of service for Consultants (England) 2003.
Proposed interview date: 17th April 2026
This vacancy closes on or before 1st April 2026
Job description
Job responsibilities
Perform proportionate scrutiny of the deceaseds case by reviewing the case notes, interrogating historical patient notes and where appropriate speaking to the qualified attending practitioner (AP).Agree to the proposed cause of death and accuracy of the Medical Certificate for the Cause of Death (MCCD).Be prepared to sign the completed MCCD verifying the accuracy of the cause of death and be in a position to sign MCCD on behalf of colleague Medical Examiners.Establish whether the case warrants referral to HM Coroner for further action.Offer medical advice (but not act as an expert witness) to HM Coroner.Discuss cause of death with the deceased nominated contact in conjunction with the Medical Examiner Officers (MEO) when appropriate.Establish whether the case needs internal referral to patient safety or specialty morbidity and mortality meetings.Report any identified trends in where clinical care falls short of what would be normally expected.
For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for. It outlines the essential criteria for the role and is designed to support you in preparing your application by helping you evaluate how your skills, experience, and professional background align with the requirements of the role.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The successful candidate will be employed under the terms and conditions of service for Consultants (England) 2003.
Proposed interview date: 17th April 2026
This vacancy closes on or before 1st April 2026
Person Specification
Qualifications, Training & Experience
Essential
- Medical Practitioner with GMC registration with a licence to practise
- Medical examiners should have up-to-date knowledge of the cause of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certification processes.
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity.
- Knowledge of local and national clinical governance systems and an understanding of how the ME can work collaboratively to improve patient safety by identifying sub-optimal clinical and organisational performance.
- Ability to identify available data sources to support the detection and analysis of concerns and to recognise gaps in available knowledge
- Ability to identify and disseminate examples of good practice amongst relevant colleagues.
- Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
Aptitudes and skills
Essential
- Evidence and ability to work effectively in multi-professional teams
- Evidence of willingness to participate in a multi-disciplinary team environment to provide an integrated service
- Understanding of equality and diversity and how this affects patients, visitors and staff
- Ability to integrate the care of a patient by many and various other clinical staff
- Ability to participate on on-call rota
- Willingness to work flexibly to deliver clinically effective and cost-effective healthcare
- Respect Diversity - Seeks to develop an understanding of different groups and individuals and ensures equitable and appropriate treatment for all
- Ability to manage high pressure situations e.g. clinical crisis
- Evidence of participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
- Evidence and ability to communicate and liaise effectively with patients and colleagues (verbal and written communication skills in English).
Living Trust Values
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Person Specification
Qualifications, Training & Experience
Essential
- Medical Practitioner with GMC registration with a licence to practise
- Medical examiners should have up-to-date knowledge of the cause of death and an understanding of the legal frameworks associated with death certification processes.
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity.
- Knowledge of local and national clinical governance systems and an understanding of how the ME can work collaboratively to improve patient safety by identifying sub-optimal clinical and organisational performance.
- Ability to identify available data sources to support the detection and analysis of concerns and to recognise gaps in available knowledge
- Ability to identify and disseminate examples of good practice amongst relevant colleagues.
- Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
Aptitudes and skills
Essential
- Evidence and ability to work effectively in multi-professional teams
- Evidence of willingness to participate in a multi-disciplinary team environment to provide an integrated service
- Understanding of equality and diversity and how this affects patients, visitors and staff
- Ability to integrate the care of a patient by many and various other clinical staff
- Ability to participate on on-call rota
- Willingness to work flexibly to deliver clinically effective and cost-effective healthcare
- Respect Diversity - Seeks to develop an understanding of different groups and individuals and ensures equitable and appropriate treatment for all
- Ability to manage high pressure situations e.g. clinical crisis
- Evidence of participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
- Evidence and ability to communicate and liaise effectively with patients and colleagues (verbal and written communication skills in English).
Living Trust Values
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
