Band 7 Lead Medical Examiner Officer

Are you looking for a new challenge in a friendly, collaborative service, who aim to deliver a professional and compassionate service? If so please read on.

In this senior Lead Medical Examiner Officer (MEO) role you will be responsible for leading a small team of MEO's, linking with our Medical Examiners (ME) and sharing innovative practice in data management, collating mortality reports and linking in with our NHS England Regional ME / MEO. You will be supported by the Group Head of Bereavement, Mortuary and ME Services as you coordinate day to day office services, including rosters and line management of the team.

This national service led by NHSE ensures accuracy of certification of the cause of death and to improve involvement of bereaved people in the process. The aim is to scrutinise all deaths within acute hospitals and local communities. We are committed to maintaining and developing a responsive and fluid service, adaptable to the needs of our trust, our communities, and our workforce.

The Medical Examiner system contributes to and enhances governance, accuracy and the service to grieving friends and families, working closely with the Trust Bereavement Service.

We are seeking a full time senior Medical Examiner's Officer to be based cross site between Royal Free and Barnet Hospitals

The role is full time: 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday.Availability for occasional out of hours working, at weekends and public holidays., JOB SUMMARYThe Medical Examiner system was introduced in England in and Wales in 2021 and became statutory in 2024. This is a national service being led by NHSE/I to ensure accuracy of certification of the cause of death and to improve involvement of bereaved families in the process. Locally this service is offered 7 days a week.The Senior Medical Examiner Officer will line manage a cross site team of Medical Examiner Officers and will work closely with the Trust cross-site Bereavement Service.The principal functions of the SMEO include leadership and oversight for:Leadership and support for strategic direction of the management of the MEOs and support to MEs within RFHNHSFTMaintain the National Model across the RFHNHSFTUnification and accountability for mandated quarterly report to the Regional ME officeOversight and assurance reports for services provided.Responsible to the Lead Medical Examiner for financial and operational performanceFacilitation and catalyst for
innovation and new servicesOversight for provision of the services to bereaved people with explanation, transparency and early opportunity to raise queries and liaise with Bereavement officers.Oversight for accuracy and quality in all aspects of the medical certification of the cause of death.Oversight and robust process in place to ensure appropriate referral to the Coroner.Safeguard the public through consistent scrutiny of all non-coronal deaths.Support clinical governance in learning and improvement

Our Medical Examiner service is a small team of compassionate and dedicated colleagues, working together to issue a timely Medical Cause of Death Certificate and support bereaved people as they progress with death registration and funeral arrangements. We work closely with our Medical Examiners, local Coroner services and Royal Free London Bereavement and Mortuary Services.