Physician Specialist

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 210,821 - 351,796; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Boston, seeks a physician to perform full forensic autopsies and external examinations to determine the cause and manner of death in unexpected, violent, or suspicious cases. You will review hospital and police reports, conduct on-site investigations, order tests as needed, prepare reports, and provide expert courtroom testimony.

You may be on-call for designated OCME jurisdictions and, when possible, participate in

Qualifications

• Five years of full-time (or equivalent) professional medical experience as a registered physician.
• Current and valid physician registration with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine.
• Board certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties in area of specialization.

Responsibilities

• Performs full forensic autopsies or external body examinations to determine cause and manner of death.
• Reviews reports to determine jurisdiction of cases.
• Conducts on-site death investigations to gather data and information.
• Prepares autopsy and external examination reports for release to entitled individuals.
• Provides competent expert testimony in court as required.
• On-call availability for the medical examiner on certain OCME jurisdictions.

Skills

Forensic pathology

Education

MD/DO degree

ABMS board certification

MA Physician registration

Job description

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Job Description

Description

Conducts full forensic autopsies or external body examinations on decedents brought to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner pursuant to MGL Chapter 38 in order to investigate the cause and manner of death in unexpected, violent, or suspicious deaths.

Principal Accountabilities

• Performs forensic autopsies or external body examinations on bodies brought to the OCME in order to determine the cause and manner of death.
• Reviews reports of death received from hospitals, police agencies, and private physicians in order to determine jurisdiction of cases.
• Performs cremation viewing of bodies for certifications, pursuant to Chapter 38, Section 14, as amended, as needed.
• Conducts on-site (scene) death investigations to gather appropriate data and information surrounding a case, as needed.
• Conducts microscopic examinations as deemed necessary of specimens, tissues, organs, fluids, blood, etc., to determine irregular conditions which might have contributed to death.
• Prepares autopsy and external body examination reports of findings for issuance to individuals legally entitled to receive them.
• Requests additional medical tests on assigned cases as deemed necessary to the determination of cause, manner and circumstances of a death, subject to the review of the Chief Medical Examiner or his/her designee.
• Coordinates the forensic identification of the decedent.
• Prepares certificates of death and determines when bodies may be released.
• Reviews current forensic and medical literature as appropriate in each individual case assigned.
• Instructs students and residents rotating through the OCME and provides lectures as necessary.
• Provides competent expert testimony in the courtroom as required.
• Is available and responsive when serving as the medical examiner on-call for a particular OCME jurisdiction to determine if cases referred to the OCME shall be accepted/declined.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Chief Medical Examiner or his/her designee.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Qualifications

• Minimum Entrance Requirements: Applicants must have at least five years of full-time or equivalent part-time, professional experience as a registered physician three years of which must have been in a specialized field such as pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology, endocrinology, neurology or infectious disease.
• Special Requirements: Current and valid registration as a physician under the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine.
• Must also be certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties in area of specialization.

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

An Equal Opportunity / Affi

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC)may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Primary Location

United States-Massachusetts-Boston-720 Albany Street

Job

Medical Services

Agency

Chief Medical Examiner

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Day

Job Posting

Jul 22, 2026, 6:48:23 PM

Number of Openings

1

Salary

210,820.74 - 351,795.60 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affil ... ? ? ? (contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Kristine Cavicchi - 8572311517)

Bargaining Unit : 07-MNA - Professional Health Care

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : Yes