Medical Examiner

Whatcom County; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 288,000 - 352,000; Full time

Job summary

Whatcom County seeks an experienced Medical Examiner to lead forensic pathology services, determine causes of death, and provide expert testimony in legal cases. The office handles about 20 autopsies per month and operates 24/7.

The Medical Examiner will head a team including Investigators, Autopsy Technicians, an Operations Manager, and temporary staff, collaborating with law enforcement, legal, and public health partners to meet county goals and public safety needs.

Qualifications

• MD or DO and WA license eligibility or current license.
• Board certification in Forensic Pathology.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Investigators, Autopsy Technicians and staff.
• Oversee death scene investigations, autopsies and toxicology interpretation.
• Provide expert testimony in legal cases and assist in court proceedings.
• Sign death certificates, maintain records and preserve evidence custody.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, legal and public health partners.
• Coordinate with agencies for archeological remains handling and reinternment.

Skills

Leadership

Forensic pathology

Testimony

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

MD/DO degree

Board certification in Forensic Pathology

Job description

Whatcom County seeks an experienced and proven leader to serve as Medical Examiner, providing forensic pathology services, determining causes of death, and providing expert testimony in legal cases. Currently, the office performs an average of 20 autopsies per month.

The Medical Examiner will lead a team of Investigators, Autopsy Technicians, an Operations Manager, and temporary extra-help staff. They will effectively collaborate with law enforcement, legal, and public health agencies to meet the work, mission, goals and vision of the County.

The Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office investigates deaths to determine jurisdiction and establish cause and manner of death for persons dying of unnatural circumstances in Whatcom County. The Medical Examiner’s Office team is composed of skilled, multi-disciplinary staff with a Medical Examiner, Operations Manager, Autopsy technician, three Medicolegal Death Investigators, and additional part-time staff.

Medical Examiner services are provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include death scene investigation, removal, locating and notifying next of kin, performing autopsies, interpreting toxicology results, identification of decedents, consulting with partners to determine opinions for archeologically significant remains and assisting the Washington State Archeologist to coordinate repatriation and reinternment, determination of nonhuman remains, necropsies, and providing consultative services to law enforcement agencies and to the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

The Office is responsible for signing death certificates for jurisdictional deaths, reviewing disposition authorizations, maintaining appropriate records, evidence collection, chain of custody, and safeguarding the personal property found with decedents. The Office also maintains responsibility for the disposition of the remains of unclaimed indigent persons who have died in Whatcom County.

For additional job details please see:

• Whatcom County Medical Examiner
• Recruitment Brochure

Salary: $29,104 per month

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree and be eligible for or currently hold WA State license. Current WA state licensure preferred.
• 3 years of forensic pathology and supervisory/management experience
• Certification as a forensic pathologist by the American Board of Pathology

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate should possess a dynamic blend of effective leadership skills and a record of providing medically and scientifically accurate, well-organized documentation and testimony. Effective communication and the ability to establish relationships with and across a broad network of stakeholders and partners while navigating a political landscape. A creative problem solver, ability to advocate for and implement improvements in a resource-constrained environment.

Must have an overarching dedication and commitment to public service and desire to improve the quality of life for Whatcom County residents.