Assistant Medical Examiner

County of Santa Clara; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 120,000; Part time

Job summary

The County of Santa Clara is seeking a part-time Assistant Medical Examiner to join a multidisciplinary team of physicians, investigators, and staff in a modern, accredited office. The role involves autopsies, case planning, and collaboration with the district attorney and investigators.

Qualified candidates will hold an MD with forensic pathology credentials or eligibility, demonstrate strong communication skills, and be able to work on-call during non-traditional hours.

Qualifications

• Requires Doctor of Medicine (MD) from an accredited school.
• Board certification or eligibility in Forensic Pathology preferred.
• Strong ability to interpret medical records and testify in court.

Responsibilities

• Perform autopsies to determine cause and manner of death.
• Supervise autopsy suite operations and staff as needed.
• Provide expert medical testimony and liaise with District Attorney.

Skills

Autopsy procedures

Forensic pathology knowledge

Written communication

Oral communication

Education

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Job description

The Office of the Medical Examiner is currently hiring for a part-time Assistant Medical Examiner. Join a fantastic team of doctors, investigators, technicians, and administrative staff in a fully accredited National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) office. You’ll work in a modern facility with digital radiology, clean and spacious autopsy stations, and access to Stanford’s Department of Pathology, along with academic and teaching opportunities.

Under general direction, responsible for the performance of medical activities in the Office of the Medical Examiner and to develop and coordinate the planning, organization, direction and performance of the medical activities of the Office.

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Performs autopsies to render cause and manner of death and responsible for certifying cause and manner of death;
• Plans, organizes and directs the activities of the Autopsy Suite;
• Supervises the autopsy suite staff and provides instruction to residents, students, visitors and interns;
• Assist the Lead Forensic Pathologist and/or Chief Medical Examiner in establishing standards for conducting autopsies and maintaining chain of custody;
• Personally performs autopsies on homicides and other violent or unnatural deaths;
• Interprets Medical Records and Police Reports;
• Confers with medical and investigative staff to determine cause and circumstances of death;
• Confers with District Attorney regarding prosecution details;
• Serves as expert medical witness;
• Provide 24/7 on call support when on call;
• May report to select death scenes with the Medical Examiner Investigator;
• Produces official (autopsy) reports and other records;
• Provide education and training to rotating students, residents and fellows;
• Serve on one or more County Death Review Committees;
• Provide or deny consent for Tissue and Organ donation for the Office of the Medical Examiner jurisdiction cases, when appropriate;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;
• Performs other related duties, as required;
• Available to work on an on-call, 24- hour basis, weekends, holidays and odd or irregular hours

*As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note:

The required knowledge and abilities are attained through possession of a Doctor of Medicine degree from an approved school of medicine.

and

Possession of the special requirements.

Special Requirements

• Possess a valid California Physicians and Surgeons license and maintain licensure for the duration of employment in the classification.
• Possess a certification as a Forensic Pathologist by meeting one of the following requirements:
  • 1. A physician who is board certified in Forensic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology (ABP);
  • 2. Has completed a training program in Forensic Pathology that is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (or its International equivalent);
  • 3. Has been officially "qualified for examination" in forensic pathology by the ABP**.
• Once certification is obtained, maintain certification for the duration of employment in the classification.
• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

**Strong preference will be given to candidates in possession of a valid board certificate in Forensic Pathology issued by the ABP. For those officially "qualified for examination" by the American Board of Pathology, a candidate will need to successfully complete the Board Certification process within two (2) years of appointment or face the possibility of being released from the position.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and techniques of pathology;
• Uses of specialized equipment and instruments required in the practice of pathology;
• Legal implications of facts obtained during autopsies and field investigations;
• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;
• Common computer systems and applications.

Ability to:

• Apply the principles and techniques of pathology;
• Use specialized equipment and instruments required during the practice of pathology;
• Plan and direct the work of others;
• Ability to express facts clearly, both orally and in writing;
• Qualify as an expert witness and testify effectively in civil depositions, preliminary hearings, and jury trials;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies;
• Use computer systems and applications.