Associate Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist)

Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI); Dry Branch (GA); On-site; USD 260,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Paid leave (vacation/sick)

13 paid holidays

Retirement plan

Loan repayment program

PSLF eligible

Job summary

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) invites qualified physicians to join the State Medical Examiner's Office as an Associate Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist) at the Central Regional Laboratory in Dry Branch, GA.

The role involves medicolegal autopsies, detailed reports, and testimony in court, with collaboration across regional offices.

Qualifications

• Medical Doctor licensed to practice medicine in Georgia or able to obtain Georgia licensure.
• Completion of an Anatomic Pathology residency and Forensic Pathology fellowship.
• ABPath board certification in Anatomic Pathology OR Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology.
• Board certification or eligibility for Forensic Pathology by ABPath.

Responsibilities

• Perform medicolegal autopsies under the Georgia Death Investigation Act.
• Generate examination reports in a timely manner.
• Provide expert courtroom and deposition testimony.
• Consult with law enforcement and attorneys involved in the criminal system.
• May perform other duties as directed by the Chief Medical Examiner.

Skills

Medical licensure

Anatomic Pathology

Forensic Pathology fellowship

Board certification AP/CP

Board certification FP

Education

MD degree

Anatomic Pathology residency

Forensic Pathology fellowship

Job description

This is a sensitive government position. Please review the GBI Employment Disqualifiers before applying for this position. Employment for the selected candidate(s) is contingent upon the successful completion of a GBI background investigation including criminal, credit and driver's history checks, polygraph examination, fingerprinting and drug screening.

The GBI follows the Federal statute regarding illegal drug use and is a drug-free workplace. Although some states have legalized recreational drug use, applicants who currently use illegal drugs or controlled substances will be subject to disqualification from employment with the GBI.

The State Medical Examiner's Office, within the Division of Forensic Sciences, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is seeking qualified applicants to fill Associate Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist) positions at the GBI Central Regional Laboratory in Dry Branch (Macon), Georgia. The successful applicant will join a system that encompasses two regional medical examiner offices located in Pooler (Savannah) and Dry Branch (Macon), Georgia, in addition to the headquarters facility, located in Decatur, Georgia [Atlanta]. Collectively, these three offices provide complete forensic pathology services to 154 of the 159 counties in Georgia.

In addition to the listed salary, the selected applicant will be paid an additional $50,000/yr. locality pay that will be paid out semi-monthly in addition to the annual salary. The locality pay is valid only if the selected applicant is working at the Central Regional Laboratory in Macon, GA.

Exciting things are happening at the Central Regional Laboratory!! We are building a brand-new state of the art facility for the GBI's Death Investigation and Forensic Pathology needs.

The State Medical Examiner's Office has a total of 19 medical examiners throughout the state, when fully staffed, including a board-certified pediatric pathologist staffed at headquarters. This office also operates the Child Abuse Investigative Support Center, which provides consultative services to law enforcement, district attorneys, the Division of Family and Children’s Services, and other agencies, where inflicted injury is suspected in living children.

The Central Regional Laboratory in Dry Branch, GA performs approximately 550 autopsies per year. The Central Regional Laboratory medical examiner's staff currently consists of one locums tenens doctors, four (4) death investigation specialists, and one (1) support staff; these are in addition to the attached crime laboratory with its entire staff. The average caseload per pathologist is between 250-300 cases per year.

Dry Branch is a city in Bibb County and is located right outside of Macon, GA along interstate 16. Macon nicknamed the "Heart of Georgia" is a city located in Central Georgia with a big city feel, but it's still a small town. Macon is one of those cities that keeps alive the architectural splendor of the old South. Rich history, incredible architecture, stunning Southern charm, and a soulful musical heritage have branded Macon "Where Soul Lives." Ever hospitable, the city has one of the south's largest and most beautiful collections of antebellum churches and homes. Take your time to walk the city streets adorned by thousands of cherry trees, snapping the old brick buildings that have been carefully looked after for many decades. Just outside Macon you can set off for water-based exploits along the Ocmulgee Water River Water Trail or see one of America's largest collections of military aircraft at the Robins Air Force Base.

Learn more at: https://www.maconga.org/about/ or https://www.maconchamber.com/.

The GBI Medical Examiner's Office is accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners. To learn more about the GBI Medical Examiner's Office, visit http://gbi.georgia.gov/medical-examiners-office.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been internationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA®).

Job Duties

The Associate Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist) performs medicolegal autopsies under the provisions of the Georgia Death Investigation Act; generates examination reports for dissemination in a timely and efficient manner; provides expert courtroom and deposition testimony in judicial proceedings; and consults with law enforcement agencies and attorneys who work within the criminal system. The Associate Medical Examiner may perform other duties as directed by the Chief Medical Examiner.

Minimum Qualifications

• Medical Doctor licensed to practice medicine in the state of Georgia or the ability to obtain Georgia licensure as required by state law.
• Successful completion of an Anatomic Pathology residency and Forensic Pathology fellowship from an accredited institution.
• Board certified by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology OR Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology.
• Board certified or eligible for certification by the American Board of Pathology in Forensic Pathology.

Conditions of Employment

Selected candidates who have not yet achieved board certification in Forensic Pathology must sit for and successfully pass the board certification examination in Forensic Pathology at the earliest available administration upon becoming eligible. Failure to sit for and/or successfully pass the Forensic Pathology Board exam will result in an evaluation of continued employment. Selected candidate must be able to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the business which may require working weekends and/or holidays. Selected candidate must also be available to receive and respond to telephone inquiries from home, while acting in an on-call status.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for the position is $260,000-$280,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience. Advancement within the salary structure is commensurate with cumulative experience and achievement of full board certification for those who are hired but not yet fully board certified. In addition to the listed salary, the selected applicant will be paid an additional $50,000/yr. locality pay that will be paid out semi-monthly in addition to the annual salary. The locality pay is valid only if the selected applicant is working at the Central Regional Laboratory in Macon, GA. Advancement within the salary structure is commensurate with cumulative experience, and achievement of full Board Certification status for those who are hired but are not yet fully Board Certified.

• From date of completion of Forensic Pathology Fellowship through the 5th full year of postgraduate employment, w/o board certification, the salary will be: $260,000.00 per year.
• From date of completion of Forensic Pathology Fellowship through the 5th full year of postgraduate employment, with AP & FP board certification, the salary will be: $270,000.00 per year.
• From the beginning of the 6th postgraduate year forward, w/AP & FP board certification, the salary will be: $280,000.00 per year.

Georgia Medical Examiner Loan Repayment Program

The Georgia Medical Examiner Loan Repayment Program is now available to qualified licensed physicians working as full-time Medical Examiners with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation! Recipients must agree to work full-time, on or after January 1, 2023, for GBI as a Medical Examiner for an opportunity to have a portion of their student loan debt to be paid through this loan repayment program. Loan repayment begins after twelve consecutive months of qualified employment.

• First year maximum amount is $12,000
• Second year maximum amount is $18,000
• Third year maximum amount is $24,000
• Fourth year maximum amount is $30,000
• Fifth year maximum amount is $36,000

The maximum limit is $120,000 with five years of qualifying employment.

Competitive Benefits Package

GBI offers a generous benefits package. Employees earn vacation time and sick leave and are granted 13 paid holidays each year. There are a variety of benefit options to choose from, including vision, dental, health and life insurance. We also offer an employee retirement plan and deferred compensation options.

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Annual vacation, sick, and education leave
• 13 paid holidays
• Employee retirement plan
• Deferred compensation options
• Conference allowance
• Reimbursement of all GA licensure and board certification fees
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer
• Georgia Medical Examiner Loan Repayment Program

The GBI reserves the right to close this job announcement once a qualified applicant pool has been identified.

Additional Requirements

Applicants must present a professional image during all phases of the GBI hiring process, to include when interviewing, either in-person or virtually. The attire and appearance of applicants interviewing must be what is generally accepted as both professional and appropriate for a business work environment.

Foreign Education: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is equivalent to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. This evaluation must be a course-by-course evaluation that includes each completed course/subject and the U.S. credit equivalent. Applicants must submit a copy of the credential evaluation as part of the application process. For a listing of services that can perform this evaluation, see the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services website at http://www.naces.org/members.htm.

Equal Opportunity Employer

THE GBI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Why work for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation?

The GBI provides a meaningful and challenging career as a dedicated public servant. As your next employer, we offer a variety of benefits options to support you in achieving a healthy work/life balance.

• Up to 3 weeks of vacation leave and up to 15 days of sick leave a year
• Up to 240 hours of paid parental leave in a 12-month period
• A total of 13 paid holidays per year
• A Defined Benefit Plan (Pension) that provides a guaranteed monthly income after retirement with a minimum of 10 years of service
• A 401(k) savings plan with an initial 5% employer match on an employee contribution of 5%, with a 9% maximum employer match.
• A variety of group health, dental, vision, legal, long-term care insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, and life insurance options
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance to provide income protection against the unexpected
• Flexible Spending Accounts that allow employees to set aside money, pre-tax, for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• An Employee Assistance Program, through ESPYR – Acentra Health, providing confidential counseling for employees and families with personal problems that interfere with an employee’s job performance or family life
• The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program that allows employees that meet certain requirements an opportunity to have the remaining balance of their Direct Loans forgiven
• The 529 College Savings Plan that allows employees to save tax-free for higher education expenses