Job Summary
Portsmouth Medical Examiner Service has been providing scrutiny for over 5 years and providing support to the bereaved. Now that the statutory system is well underway, we are looking for a Deputy Lead MEO to manage the office day to day, take responsibility for staff education and development and support the Lead MEO in developing our service further.
Main duties of the job
As Deputy Lead Medical Examiner Officer You Will:
- support the management and leadership of the MEO team
- support the co-ordination of the Medical Examiner service to ensure timely and efficient completion of certification processes required after a death
- support medical examiners in their role in scrutinising the circumstances and causes of death
- be a point of contact and source of advice for relatives of deceased patients, healthcare professionals, HM Coroner and registration services, involved in the death certification process.
- support the Lead MEO and Lead ME in developing protocols, guidelines and policies for the development and delivery of the Medical Examiner Service across the acute trust and the community
About Us
Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.
Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
Details
Date posted
26 August 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£37,338 a year Band 6 - £37,338 to £44,962 per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
REF1642M
Job locations
Queen Alexandra Hosp, Southwick Hill Road
Cosham
Portsmouth
Portsmouth
PO6 3LY
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3LY, Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom
Portsmouth
England
PO6 3LY
Queen Alexandra Hosp, Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3LY, Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom
Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3LY, Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom
Portsmouth
Portsmouth
PO6 3LY
Job Description
Job responsibilities
All MEOs support medical examiners in their role in scrutinising the circumstances and causes of death and have a vital role in explaining cause(s) of death proposed for the death certificate to the bereaved. This includes answering their questions, clarifying any terminology or misunderstandings, and signposting appropriately in cases of disagreement or concern.
Job Description
Job responsibilities
All MEOs support medical examiners in their role in scrutinising the circumstances and causes of death and have a vital role in explaining cause(s) of death proposed for the death certificate to the bereaved. This includes answering their questions, clarifying any terminology or misunderstandings, and signposting appropriately in cases of disagreement or concern.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- - Educated to Degree Level and/or significant experience in a relevant field
- - Advanced communication skills with a wide range of stakeholders, including the recently bereaved and senior level professionals.
- - Qualified Medical Examiner Officer with experience working in the role
Desirable
- Leadership or management qualification
Experience
Essential
- Leading and influencing teams to achieve objectives. Working with people in sensitive and emotional situations. Managing and implementing change in complex clinical environments. Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams. Experience of preparing, developing, and delivering training of staff. Writing reports and presentations. Familiarity with HR and governance procedures. Experience of working as a Medical Examiner Officer. Experience of supporting the bereaved.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity of issues around formalities following a death.
Person Specification
Essential
- Leading and influencing teams to achieve objectives. Working with people in sensitive and emotional situations. Managing and implementing change in complex clinical environments. Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams. Experience of preparing, developing, and delivering training of staff. Writing reports and presentations. Familiarity with HR and governance procedures. Experience of working as a Medical Examiner Officer. Experience of supporting the bereaved.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity of issues around formalities following a death.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Address
Queen Alexandra Hosp, Southwick Hill Road
Cosham
Portsmouth
Portsmouth
PO6 3LY
Employer's website
https://www.porthosp.nhs.uk/work-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Address
Queen Alexandra Hosp, Southwick Hill Road
Cosham
Portsmouth
Portsmouth
PO6 3LY
Employer's website
https://www.porthosp.nhs.uk/work-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)
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