Medical Examiner Officer | East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 19 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £27,485 - £37,796 per annum pro rata |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 18 April 2026 |
| Location: | Ipswich, IP4 5PD |
| Company: | Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7884088/432-HR1424-25 |
Summary
We are looking for a Medical Examiner Officer to join our Mortuary and Bereavement Team at Ipswich Hospital.
We are a busy but small department responsible for ensuring families are supported through the process of death certification and registration including all elements of the Medical Examiner process.
You will provide a comprehensive administrative support to the Medical Examiner service, playing a vital role in the timely and accurate management of documentation of the deceased. You will be a central point of contact for the bereaved, Medical Examiners and external stakeholder, including HM Coroner’s Office, Registration Services and Funeral Directors.
There is little control over workload or workflow and demands can fluctuate considerably from day to day. Much of the activity is dictated by third party availability and the needs of service users. A proactive and organised approach is essential to ensure the timely completion of all required documentation. The bereaved need to be treated with sensitivity and the approach needs to be sufficiently flexible to adapt to the needs of individuals.
A band 4 developmental role would be considered for applicants who do not currently fulfil the specification for a band 5 post. You will be supported with face-to-face learning and competencies to complete the Medical Examiners RCPath qualification to then be signed off as competent using the National Framework to progress to the band 5.
You will provide essential administrative and coordination support within the Medical Examiner’s Office, ensuring the timely and accurate management of processes of the deceased. The role requires excellent communication skills, with the ability to listen, question sensitively, and act as a key point of contact between clinicians, bereaved families, and partner organisations.
Working closely with Medical Examiners, doctors, ward staff, mortuary teams and external agencies, you will support the completion of Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCD), advise on certification requirements, and identify cases requiring referral to HM Coroner in line with statutory guidance. This includes reviewing medical records, collating relevant clinical information, and maintaining accurate documentation across multiple systems.
The role involves regular liaison with GP practices, funeral directors, registration services, chaplaincy, police, and other stakeholders to facilitate the release of the deceased and ensure all legal and procedural requirements are met.
A key aspect of the role is supporting bereaved families with compassion and professionalism, offering clear advice on next steps, registration processes, and funeral arrangements, while responding sensitively to cultural, religious, and individual needs.
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes
We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services
Our philosophy is thatTime Mattersto everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bringwhat’swidely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you
Find out about living and working here -www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
This advert closes on Tuesday 31 Mar 2026