Lead Medical Examiner Officer
The closing date is 09 February 2026
Job summary
To lead the team supporting Medical Examiners in their role in scrutinising the circumstances and causes of death. To be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals and Coroner and Registration services.
To support Medical Examiners and Medical Examiner Officers to maintain the Medical Examiners Service covering Stockport and East Cheshire NHS Trust and non-acute deaths within Stockport, East Cheshire and High Peak.
To support the development of protocols, guidelines, and policies for the service development and implementation of a system wide model of the Medical Examiner's System and participate in the implementation of the reforms of death certification and to aim to improve the processes of death certification and referrals to the Coroner.
Main duties of the job
The Lead Medical Examiner Officer at Stockport NHS FT will support the Lead Medical Examiner with the service across sites at two NHS Trusts, Stockport and East Cheshire. As well as across the wider community in Stockport, East Cheshire and High Peak as per legislation.
Providing strong leadership to the Medical Examiner Officer team once appointed.
See JD + person specification for further details.
About us
We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.
We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.
We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.
If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.
We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.
Benefits we offer to you:
- Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
- NHS pension scheme membership
- Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
- NHS Staff discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
- Stockport Credit Union- for local financial advice
Details
Date posted
26 January 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum
Contract
Secondment
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working
Reference number
362-AC7LABMED-01-26
Job locations
Stepping Hill/Macclesfield Hospital
Stockport/Macclesfield
SK2 7JE
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communications
Act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patients death.
Work with Medical Examiners to aid them in their responsibility for overseeing the death certification process for all deceased patients.
Carry out the initial screening of medical notes of deceased patients to identify cases that clearly requires referral to the coroner on approval from the ME.
Establish the circumstances of individual patient deaths by performing a preliminary review of medical records to identify clinical and circumstantial information, sourcing additional details where required, for scrutiny by the Medical Examiner.
Work with the ME(s) to ensure proper and proportionate scrutiny of medical records.
Discuss the findings of the ME on medical cause of death with the qualified attending practitioners.
Ensure any concerns raised by the relatives are passed on the ME in a timely fashion before the MCCD is released to relatives.
Discuss the content of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) with relatives of the deceased and in all cases, collect additional information. This may include the need to communicate sensitive information and offer explanations.
To assist in highlighting cases for assessment by the Structured Judgement Review team (SJR), Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP), Clinical Governance teams and the Learning Disability Review Teams (LeDeR).
Offer support and pastoral care to families and colleagues and to facilitate effective communication between families and health care professionals alongside Bereavement Office staff.
Assist relatives in identifying appropriate information and additional / further advice and support e.g. Patient Advice Liaison Service contacts, Bereavement Office information.
Establish clear and effective channels for communicating and co-operating with all departments, wards, and relevant professionals.
Participate in the development and introduction of protocols, guidelines, and policy as appropriate.
Manage own workload ensuring project timescales are adhered to.
Continually monitor ones own performance in the provision of care; ensuring professional standards are met at all times.
Maintain effective and positive communication between the MEO team to manage and p[prioritise workload
Maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of users of the medical examiner system to ensure equality to any particular group defined by sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
Responsibility for Patient CareUse specialist knowledge of various faith groups funeral wishes/practices to enable respectful compliance with tight and specific timescales and procedures.
Planning and OrganisingManage MEOs including recruitment, sickness, appraisal, CPD, and performance.
Work within Trust HR policies.
Work in a senior managerial role in the ME service, including maintaining rotas to ensure coverage for the ME service.
Review performance of staff in consultation with the Lead ME and Pathology Operational Lead and make recommendations for development and further training.
Assist in the monitoring of quality standards and performance.
Work with the Regional Medical Examiner Officer (North West) to develop and provide outstanding service to bereaved families.
Provide documentation and quality data as required for audit or evaluation of the Medical Examiner System as appropriate
Provide surveillance data for the Lead Medical Examiner as required.
Attend departmental meetings as appropriate
.
Responsibilities for Physical and / or Financial Resources
Responsible for the procurement of physical assets & supplies.
Responsible for the delivery of cost effective care in relation to equipment and resources used in the course of work.
Facilitate the recovery of costs for services provided by the ME Service.
Responsibility to consider implications of service development.
Ensure resources are used efficiently and cost effectively, implementing new initiatives where possible to improve patient experience.
Responsible for ensuring the effective use of stock and equipment in line with the workload requirements.
Responsible for ensuring that equipment is appropriately used, stored, and maintained.
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development and ImplementationThe Lead Medical Examiner Officer will be required to support the Lead Medical Examiner in any relevant governance activities relating to scrutiny and confirmation of the cause of death where concerns have been raised by the next of kin/informant of the deceased and/or clinical staff and ME scrutiny.
Contribute to and review departmental policies and procedures to reflect best practice in the delivery of a medical examiner system.
Attend Regional meetings to ensure service development
Continue communication with community stakeholders to ensure optimum service delivery
Identify and action areas of improvement in both acute and non acute sites
Responsibilities for Human Resources and LeadershipThe Lead Medical Examiner Officer is expected to take responsibility for their own continuing professional development in accordance with any standards for maintaining any relevant professional body.
Manage team following Trust policies
Maintain a safe environment with due regard to the Trust Health and Safety & risk management policies and procedures.
Align to trust values and set a good example to the team
Follow the Trust complaints policy, ensuring solutions are achieved and learning is shared and disseminated as appropriate
Actioning any issues or concerns within the team in line with trust policies and procedures
Utilise appropriate risk assessment tools in order to identify actual and potential risks and implement appropriate interventions and report outcomes to the Lead ME and Pathology Operational Lead
Responsibilities for Teaching and TrainingDevelop training programmes and induction training for Medical Examiners Officers.
Plan, coordinate, and supervise the training within the department.
Participate in education and training as associated with and appropriate to the role.
Continually update and maintain own self-development and awareness, identifying and utilising appropriate educational and study resources.
Participate in Trust mandatory training.
Participate in sharing outcomes of the reforms though the publication of papers and presentations of findings at a local and national level.
Responsibilities for Professional and Legal standards
Maintain accurate records having due regard to legal aspects, confidentiality, and managerial information / project requirements.
Maintain an effective and valid professional registration.
Fulfil the role in accordance with the relevant Code of Professional Conduct.
Seek regular appropriate supervision and to participate in regular process of appraisal, monitoring own performance, ensuring professional standards are met at all times.
Maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of users of the Medical Examiner system to ensure equality to any particular group defined by sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
Responsibilities for data and information resourcesTo establish the circumstances of individual patient deaths by performing a preliminary review of medical records to identify clinical and circumstantial information, sourcing additional details where required, for scrutiny by the medical examiner.
Use multiple IT software for recording personal identifiable data and producing statistical information for the National Medical Examiners office and Public Health surveillance.
- Full compliance with secure handling of patient identifiable data is essential.
Research, Development and Audit
Initiate evidence-based practice and update own knowledge related to current practice.
Participate in audit activity as required including collection of data.
Collect, collate and report data for national and local returns.
Physical Skills and Effort
There is significant emotional effort associated with dealing with bereaved families.
To use a computer for prolonged periods of time daily.
Car driver to enable travel between two or more sites
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trusts policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.
If successful this vacancy will require a Standard DBS check at a cost of £26.90. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salary
In addition to this it will be a condition of your employment that you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £16
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communications
Act as an intermediary between the bereaved and clinicians to establish and resolve any concerns relating to a patients death.
Work with Medical Examiners to aid them in their responsibility for overseeing the death certification process for all deceased patients.
Carry out the initial screening of medical notes of deceased patients to identify cases that clearly requires referral to the coroner on approval from the ME.
Establish the circumstances of individual patient deaths by performing a preliminary review of medical records to identify clinical and circumstantial information, sourcing additional details where required, for scrutiny by the Medical Examiner.
Work with the ME(s) to ensure proper and proportionate scrutiny of medical records.
Discuss the findings of the ME on medical cause of death with the qualified attending practitioners.
Ensure any concerns raised by the relatives are passed on the ME in a timely fashion before the MCCD is released to relatives.
Discuss the content of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) with relatives of the deceased and in all cases, collect additional information. This may include the need to communicate sensitive information and offer explanations.
To assist in highlighting cases for assessment by the Structured Judgement Review team (SJR), Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP), Clinical Governance teams and the Learning Disability Review Teams (LeDeR).
Offer support and pastoral care to families and colleagues and to facilitate effective communication between families and health care professionals alongside Bereavement Office staff.
Assist relatives in identifying appropriate information and additional / further advice and support e.g. Patient Advice Liaison Service contacts, Bereavement Office information.
Establish clear and effective channels for communicating and co-operating with all departments, wards, and relevant professionals.
Participate in the development and introduction of protocols, guidelines, and policy as appropriate.
Manage own workload ensuring project timescales are adhered to.
Continually monitor ones own performance in the provision of care; ensuring professional standards are met at all times.
Maintain effective and positive communication between the MEO team to manage and p[prioritise workload
Maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of users of the medical examiner system to ensure equality to any particular group defined by sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
Responsibility for Patient CareUse specialist knowledge of various faith groups funeral wishes/practices to enable respectful compliance with tight and specific timescales and procedures.
Planning and OrganisingManage MEOs including recruitment, sickness, appraisal, CPD, and performance.
Work within Trust HR policies.
Work in a senior managerial role in the ME service, including maintaining rotas to ensure coverage for the ME service.
Review performance of staff in consultation with the Lead ME and Pathology Operational Lead and make recommendations for development and further training.
Assist in the monitoring of quality standards and performance.
Work with the Regional Medical Examiner Officer (North West) to develop and provide outstanding service to bereaved families.
Provide documentation and quality data as required for audit or evaluation of the Medical Examiner System as appropriate
Provide surveillance data for the Lead Medical Examiner as required.
Attend departmental meetings as appropriate
.
Responsibilities for Physical and / or Financial Resources
Responsible for the procurement of physical assets & supplies.
Responsible for the delivery of cost effective care in relation to equipment and resources used in the course of work.
Facilitate the recovery of costs for services provided by the ME Service.
Responsibility to consider implications of service development.
Ensure resources are used efficiently and cost effectively, implementing new initiatives where possible to improve patient experience.
Responsible for ensuring the effective use of stock and equipment in line with the workload requirements.
Responsible for ensuring that equipment is appropriately used, stored, and maintained.
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development and ImplementationThe Lead Medical Examiner Officer will be required to support the Lead Medical Examiner in any relevant governance activities relating to scrutiny and confirmation of the cause of death where concerns have been raised by the next of kin/informant of the deceased and/or clinical staff and ME scrutiny.
Contribute to and review departmental policies and procedures to reflect best practice in the delivery of a medical examiner system.
Attend Regional meetings to ensure service development
Continue communication with community stakeholders to ensure optimum service delivery
Identify and action areas of improvement in both acute and non acute sites
Responsibilities for Human Resources and LeadershipThe Lead Medical Examiner Officer is expected to take responsibility for their own continuing professional development in accordance with any standards for maintaining any relevant professional body.
Manage team following Trust policies
Maintain a safe environment with due regard to the Trust Health and Safety & risk management policies and procedures.
Align to trust values and set a good example to the team
Follow the Trust complaints policy, ensuring solutions are achieved and learning is shared and disseminated as appropriate
Actioning any issues or concerns within the team in line with trust policies and procedures
Utilise appropriate risk assessment tools in order to identify actual and potential risks and implement appropriate interventions and report outcomes to the Lead ME and Pathology Operational Lead
Responsibilities for Teaching and TrainingDevelop training programmes and induction training for Medical Examiners Officers.
Plan, coordinate, and supervise the training within the department.
Participate in education and training as associated with and appropriate to the role.
Continually update and maintain own self-development and awareness, identifying and utilising appropriate educational and study resources.
Participate in Trust mandatory training.
Participate in sharing outcomes of the reforms though the publication of papers and presentations of findings at a local and national level.
Responsibilities for Professional and Legal standards
Maintain accurate records having due regard to legal aspects, confidentiality, and managerial information / project requirements.
Maintain an effective and valid professional registration.
Fulfil the role in accordance with the relevant Code of Professional Conduct.
Seek regular appropriate supervision and to participate in regular process of appraisal, monitoring own performance, ensuring professional standards are met at all times.
Maintain an awareness of the diverse needs of users of the Medical Examiner system to ensure equality to any particular group defined by sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
Responsibilities for data and information resourcesTo establish the circumstances of individual patient deaths by performing a preliminary review of medical records to identify clinical and circumstantial information, sourcing additional details where required, for scrutiny by the medical examiner.
Use multiple IT software for recording personal identifiable data and producing statistical information for the National Medical Examiners office and Public Health surveillance.
- Full compliance with secure handling of patient identifiable data is essential.
Research, Development and Audit
Initiate evidence-based practice and update own knowledge related to current practice.
Participate in audit activity as required including collection of data.
Collect, collate and report data for national and local returns.
Physical Skills and Effort
There is significant emotional effort associated with dealing with bereaved families.
To use a computer for prolonged periods of time daily.
Car driver to enable travel between two or more sites
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trusts policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.
If successful this vacancy will require a Standard DBS check at a cost of £26.90. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salary
In addition to this it will be a condition of your employment that you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £16
Person Specification
Education + Qualifications
Essential
- Must have completed all MEO training from the Royal College of Pathology
- Educated to Batchelor's degree level or evidence of study/equivalent practical experience at an advanced level; this might include nursing and/or other clinical experience or experience as a senior Bereavement Officer or equivalent working knowledge in related field,.eg; Coroner Officer, Bereavement Officer, primary care, registration services
- A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities.
- The ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including the recently bereaved.
Knowledge
Essential
- Must have completed all MEO training from the Royal College of Pathology General
- Knowledge of clinical/medical terminology.
- Knowledge of the statutory process around death certification legal frameworks and how the medical examiner system aligns with other related organisations and NHS initiatives
- Knowledge of the Medical Examiner Regulations 2024
- Full understanding of the medical examiner system operational remit when incorporated within Bereavement Services or as a standalone office
Desirable
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity of issues around formalities following a death.
- Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009 reference to the medical examiner system, and their legal interactions with the ME service.
Experience
Essential
- Experience in day-to-day operational/process management of a customer-facing service where users may have unpredictable and emotionally charged needs.
- Experience of working as a Medical Examiner Officer
- Experience of training staff and colleagues
Desirable
- Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations.
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries.
- Experience of team management and HR procedures
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism with all stakeholders.
- Ability to lead a team and organise fluctuating workload around competing priorities.
- Competent in the use of IT software systems and handling sensitive personal identifiable data.
- Proactive and self-motivated with the ability to manage fluctuating workloads across multiple sites.
- Experience in collecting and analysing data, and data trends.
- Experience in producing audits
Desirable
- Evidence of good data analysis and interpretation
- Experience and skills with presentations
- Experience with Microsoft Excel
Person Specification
Education + Qualifications
Essential
- Must have completed all MEO training from the Royal College of Pathology
- Educated to Batchelor's degree level or evidence of study/equivalent practical experience at an advanced level; this might include nursing and/or other clinical experience or experience as a senior Bereavement Officer or equivalent working knowledge in related field,.eg; Coroner Officer, Bereavement Officer, primary care, registration services
- A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities.
- The ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including the recently bereaved.
Knowledge
Essential
- Must have completed all MEO training from the Royal College of Pathology General
- Knowledge of clinical/medical terminology.
- Knowledge of the statutory process around death certification legal frameworks and how the medical examiner system aligns with other related organisations and NHS initiatives
- Knowledge of the Medical Examiner Regulations 2024
- Full understanding of the medical examiner system operational remit when incorporated within Bereavement Services or as a standalone office
Desirable
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity of issues around formalities following a death.
- Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009 reference to the medical examiner system, and their legal interactions with the ME service.
Experience
Essential
- Experience in day-to-day operational/process management of a customer-facing service where users may have unpredictable and emotionally charged needs.
- Experience of working as a Medical Examiner Officer
- Experience of training staff and colleagues
Desirable
- Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations.
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries.
- Experience of team management and HR procedures
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism with all stakeholders.
- Ability to lead a team and organise fluctuating workload around competing priorities.
- Competent in the use of IT software systems and handling sensitive personal identifiable data.
- Proactive and self-motivated with the ability to manage fluctuating workloads across multiple sites.
- Experience in collecting and analysing data, and data trends.
- Experience in producing audits
Desirable
- Evidence of good data analysis and interpretation
- Experience and skills with presentations
- Experience with Microsoft Excel
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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).
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Stepping Hill/Macclesfield Hospital
Stockport/Macclesfield
SK2 7JE
Employer's website
Employer details
Employer name
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Stepping Hill/Macclesfield Hospital
Stockport/Macclesfield
SK2 7JE
Employer's website
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Details
Date posted
26 January 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum
Contract
Secondment
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working
Reference number
362-AC7LABMED-01-26
Job locations
Stepping Hill/Macclesfield Hospital
Stockport/Macclesfield
SK2 7JE
Supporting documents
Privacy notice
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)