Medical Examiner

Job Summary

MEs are appropriately trained doctors who will verify clinical information on Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs) and ensure that the right referrals are made to the coroner for further investigation. A practicing medical practitioner who has been on the general medical council register for a minimum of five years post registration can apply to be a ME. It is recommended that medical examiners are consultant grade doctors from a range of disciplines (including GP principals). MEs will take a consistent approach to the formulation of MCCD content, which must be clinically accurate and reflect any discussions with the next of kin/informant. MEs must not have been involved in the care of the deceased patients for deaths they scrutinise. The main duties of an ME are as follows:

Main duties of the job

• To ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current processes of certification, investigation (by coroners) and registration of deaths within a Local Authority area;
• To support those doctors who call for medical advice on suspected natural causes of death before they prepare an MCCD, and provide general medical advice to the coroner;
• Scrutinise the certified causes of all in-scope deaths in a way that is compliant with the proposed national protocol;
• Maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis and provide information as required to ONS & locally for clinical governance purposes;
  
  

Ensure compliance with the Medical Examiner Regulations (2024)

• Explain to bereaved relatives causes of death in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner, which respects different faith, cultural, ethnic and diversity considerations;
• Support the training of junior doctors in completion of MCCDs and provide feedback on accuracy of certification locally.
  
  

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

03 March 2026

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£109,725 to £145,478 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

362-CONLABMED-03-26

Job locations

Stepping Hill/Macclesfield District General

Stockport/Macclesfield

SK2 7JE

Job Description

Job responsibilities

MEs Are Appropriately Trained Doctors Who Will Verify Clinical Information On Medical Certificates Of Cause Of Death (MCCDs) And Ensure That The Right Referrals Are Made To The Coroner For Further Investigation. A Practicing Medical Practitioner Who Has Been On The General Medical Council Register For a Minimum Of Five Years Post Registration Can Apply To Be a ME. It Is Recommended That Medical Examiners Are Consultant Grade Doctors From a Range Of Disciplines (including GP Principals). MEs Will Take a Consistent Approach To The Formulation Of MCCD Content, Which Must Be Clinically Accurate And Reflect Any Discussions With The Next Of Kin/informant. MEs Must Not Have Been Involved In The Care Of The Deceased Patients For Deaths They Scrutinise. The Main Duties Of An ME Are As Follows:

To ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current processes of certification, investigation (by coroners) and registration of deaths within a Local Authority area;

To support those doctors who call for medical advice on suspected natural causes of death before they prepare an MCCD, and provide general medical advice to the coroner;

Scrutinise the certified causes of all in-scope deaths in a way that is compliant with the proposed national protocol;

Maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis and provide information as required to ONS & locally for clinical governance purposes;

Ensure compliance with the Medical Examiner Regulations (2024)

Explain to bereaved relatives causes of death in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner, which respects different faith, cultural, ethnic and diversity considerations;

Support the training of junior doctors in completion of MCCDs and provide feedback on accuracy of certification locally.

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

MEs are appropriately trained doctors who will verify clinical information on Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs) and ensure that the right referrals are made to the coroner for further investigation. A practicing medical practitioner who has been on the general medical council register for a minimum of five years post registration can apply to be a ME. It is recommended that medical examiners are consultant grade doctors from a range of disciplines (including GP principals). MEs will take a consistent approach to the formulation of MCCD content, which must be clinically accurate and reflect any discussions with the next of kin/informant. MEs must not have been involved in the care of the deceased patients for deaths they scrutinise. The main duties of an ME are as follows:

To ensure compliance with the legal and procedural requirements associated with the current processes of certification, investigation (by coroners) and registration of deaths within a Local Authority area;

To support those doctors who call for medical advice on suspected natural causes of death before they prepare an MCCD, and provide general medical advice to the coroner;

Scrutinise the certified causes of all in-scope deaths in a way that is compliant with the proposed national protocol;

Maintain comprehensive records of all deaths scrutinised and undertake analysis and provide information as required to ONS & locally for clinical governance purposes;

Ensure compliance with the Medical Examiner Regulations (2024)

Explain to bereaved relatives causes of death in a transparent, tactful and sympathetic manner, which respects different faith, cultural, ethnic and diversity considerations;

Support the training of junior doctors in completion of MCCDs and provide feedback on accuracy of certification locally.

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 be registered with the GMC and 5 years post registration
• Completed ME learning modules
• 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.
  
  

Knwoledge

Essential

• General knowledge of the statutory process around death certification legal frameworks and how the medical examiner system aligns with other related organisations and NHS initiatives
• General knowledge of the correct structure of causes of death on a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
• 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 subsequent Heath and Care Social Act 2022
• Full understanding of the medical examiner system operational remit when incorporated within Bereavement Services or as a standalone office
• Full understanding of natural and unnatural causes of death and an understanding of causes of death that require coroner's referral.
• Knwoledge of the Medical Examiner Regualtions 2024
  
  

Essential

Experience

• Experience of working with people in sensitive and emotional situations.
• Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries.
• 5 years post registration in clinical practice
  
  

Essential

Skills and abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism with all stakeholders.
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Competent in the use of IT software systems and handling sensitive personal identifiable data.
• Proactive, self-motivated and organised
• Compliance with the independent nature of the ME role
• Compassionate nature
  
  

Desirable

• Proficient in Microsoft word and Excel
• Evidence of good data analysis and interpretation
  
  

Work related

Essential

• Ability to work across both sites - car driver
  
  

Person Specification

Education + Qualifications

Essential

• Ability to work across both sites - car driver
  
  

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 District General

Stockport/Macclesfield

SK2 7JE

Employer's website

http://www.stockport.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Stepping Hill/Macclesfield District General

Stockport/Macclesfield

SK2 7JE

Employer's website

http://www.stockport.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

LNKD1_UKTJ