About this role
Job summary
UHL are looking to recruit a Medical Examiner Officer to join the team on a 3 year fixed term basis. Due to working from a monthly rolling rota, the ideal candidate will be open to flexible working within the core hours of the service, between 07:00-18:00, and be able to work from all three UHL sites. Occasional weekend work will also come into place in the future.
Medical Examiner Officers are at the heart of the success of the Medical Examiner Office. They support the Medical Examiners with the accuracy and consistency of MCCD content and ensure appropriate referrals to the coroner.
If shortlisted for an interview, avisit to the ME office will be an expectation. If offered the role, there will be online ME Officer training to complete prior to starting in post.
We also recommend that you look at the National ME website in order to gain a better understanding of the process as a whole.
Vacancy will close : 4 October 2026
Interviews will take place : 13 October 2026
Main duties of the job
Medical Examiner Officers are at the heart of the success of the Medical Examiner Office. They support the Medical Examiners with the accuracy and consistency of MCCD content and ensure appropriate referrals to the coroner.
About us
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).
We have four primary goals:
high-quality care for all, being a great place to work, partnerships for impact, and research and education excellence And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
we are compassionate, we are proud, we are inclusive, and we are one team This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.
About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:
https://www.uhleicester.nhs.uk
Job description Job responsibilities
You will work closely with other Medical Examiner Officers, the team of Medical Examiner clinicians and the Bereavement team to provide a robust servce in line with national requirements.
You will support the Trust's Medical Examiners in their role to scrutinise the circumstances and causes of death for all death across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
You will be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals, HM coroner and registration services, therefore, excellent communication skills are essential in order to communicate professionally and effectively in difficult and emotional situations.
The successful candidate will be educated to Bachelor's degree level, or have evidence of study/equivalent practical experience at an advanced level.
You will have a good understanding of medical terminology, be computer literate and have a good working knowledge of Microsoft excel.
You will be able to apply good problem solving skills and be able to balance multiple complex work streams, ensuring the general flow of the office is maintained effectively and efficiently.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications Essential
Educated to Batchelor's degree level or equivalent working knowledge in related field A commitment to life-long learning and undertaking personal development opportunities Completed e-learning MEO core training modules prior to starting in the post
Desirable
Degree (BA/BSc) in Business or Clinical related studies Professional Registration (Clinical)
Communication and relationship skills Essential
Ability to communicate effectively and build good relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including the recently bereaved, face to face, by telephone and email Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism Excellent written & verbal communication skills to produce accurate correspondence Able to work as part of a team, co-operating to work together and in conjunction with others and willing to help and assist wherever possible and appropriate
Desirable
Experience of working effectively with key administrative and senior clinical staff Experience of working in a bereavement setting or equivalent environment (i.e. safeguarding, end of life care)
Analytical and Judgement skills Essential
Ability to apply good problem-solving skills, e.g., in balancing multiple complex work streams Ability to apply good problem-solving skills, e.g., in balancing multiple complex work streams Ability to work without direct supervision, prioritising work and acting on own initiative where appropriate; pre- empting problems and working to solve them in an appropriate manner and escalating as applicable Experience of review, collation and synthesis of information
Desirable
Critical Analysis and Report Writing
Skills Essential
Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism with all stakeholders Competent user of MS Office packages, specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook High level of accuracy and attention to detail The ability to work in a highly pressurised, unpredictable environment where bereavement care is central to the service delivery Positive attitude to dealing with change; flexible and adaptable, willing to change and accept change and to explore new ways of doing things and approaches Ability to work as part of a team and organise fluctuating workload around competing priorities
Desirable
Knowledge of various faith groups' funeral wishes/practices to enable respectful compliance with tight and specific timescales and procedures Advanced level in Word, Excel, PowerPoint Expertise in inputting and interrogating spreadsheets and databases to extract and analyse data
Planning and organisation skills Essential
Ability to work in a demanding environment involving complex and multiple processes against time related targets Ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands and to adapt quickly to changing priorities Ability to be proactive and plan ahead, to allow for fluctuations in demand Ability to cope with interruptions from others or need to change tasks at short notice
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Essential
Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high-quality care and interactions with others
Other requirements specific to the role: Physical skills Essential
Cross site working Walking between offices Able to undertake light physical duties i.e., retrieve and carry patient medical records Ability and willingness to adopt a flexible approach to work on the occasions it may be required
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours Essential
Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours
Experience Essential
Experience of working independently within own area of specialism with minimal supervision Proven experience of working in a busy office/administration environment Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations Experience of working in a service. where users may have unpredictable and emotionally charged need or day to day contact with people in sensitive and emotional situations Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity of issues around formalities following a death Good understanding of medical terminology that enables informed discussions about causes/circumstances of death with bereaved families, clinicians, coroner and registration service staff Experience of planning a broad programme of activities and prioritising work to meet deadlines Experience of maintaining confidentiality and secure handling of highly sensitive data and/or patient identifiable data. Using databases for inputting and extracting information Knowledge of the statutory process around death certification legal frameworks and how the medical examiner system aligns with other related organisations and NHS initiatives
Desirable
NHS experience within the administrative field at a Band 3 Clinical Practice at Registration Level or above Worked in Coroner's Office, Medical Examiner Office, Patient Safety Team, Inquest Team or M&M Process Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009 reference to the medical examiner system. Full understanding of the medical examiner system operational remit when incorporated within Bereavement Services or as a stand-alone office. Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi- disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries
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 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Address LRI
Infirmary Square
Leicester
LE1 5WW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.jobsatleicestershospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)