Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME)

Dane Street; California, Northern (MO, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Part time

Job summary

Dane Street invites experienced QMEs and California-licensed physicians to perform independent medical-legal evaluations for California workers’ compensation cases. You will review records, conduct examinations, and formulate objective opinions under DWC guidelines while enjoying a flexible contractor arrangement.

The role focuses on medical evaluation and expert reporting, with access to supportive administrative infrastructure and opportunities to expand your QME practice.

Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted California physician license (MD or DO).
• Board certification or board eligibility in an eligible specialty; meet DWC requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain California QME certification if not already certified.
• Strong clinical knowledge and clear written communication skills.
• Independent, objective evaluation with attention to detail and impartial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent, objective medical-legal evaluations of injured workers.
• Review medical records and diagnostic studies; prepare reports per DWC requirements.
• Obtain medical history, perform focused exams, and analyze evidence.
• Provide objective medical opinions within your specialty and meet turnaround expectations.
• Maintain documentation and comply with QME requirements; participate in depositions when needed.

Skills

CA Medical License (MD/DO)

Board Certification or Eligibility in^

Education

MD/DO (Medical Doctor)

Tools

QME Portal

Job description

California Board Certified Physician

California | Flexible Schedule | Independent Contractor Opportunities

Opportunity Overview

• Role Summary: Seeking experienced Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs) and California-licensed physicians interested in becoming QMEs to perform objective, independent medical-legal evaluations for injured workers within the California Workers’ Compensation system.
• Core Responsibilities: Evaluate medical conditions, review medical records, address disputed medical issues, and prepare comprehensive reports following California DWC requirements.
• No Prior QME Experience Needed: We offer guidance, education, and administrative support to help eligible physicians enter the QME field.
• Focus Division: You focus on the medical evaluation and expert opinion; our team handles the operational infrastructure.

Why Become a QME?

• Generate additional income outside of traditional clinical practice
• Maintain flexibility over your schedule
• Diversify your professional practice
• Continue practicing medicine
• Develop a medical-legal consulting practice
• Utilize existing clinical expertise in a new professional setting
• Work with a broad range of Workers’ Compensation cases within your specialty
• Participate in in-person and, when appropriate, remote evaluations
• Build long-term relationships with a professional medical-legal organization

What You Will Do

• Conduct independent, objective medical-legal evaluations of injured workers
• Perform comprehensive medical examinations when required
• Review medical records, diagnostic studies, prior treatment, and other relevant documentation
• Obtain appropriate medical history and perform a focused physical examination
• Analyze medical evidence presented in each case
• Provide objective medical opinions within your area of expertise
• Address medical-legal questions presented in evaluations
• Prepare accurate, thorough, and well-supported QME reports
• Follow applicable California DWC rules, regulations, and QME requirements
• Maintain appropriate documentation and professional standards
• Meet established report completion and turnaround expectations
• Participate in supplemental reports, depositions, or testimony when appropriate
• Maintain current QME certification and required professional credentials
• Communicate professionally with the medical-legal support team regarding case requirements

Dane Street Supports Your Practice

You provide the medical expertise; we provide the infrastructure.

Administrative Support

• Case intake and coordination
• Appointment scheduling
• Examinee communications
• Case logistics and confirmations
• Medical record retrieval and organization
• Case preparation
• Correspondence with involved parties
• Medical Assistant support on the day of evaluation
• All forms and templates provided
• Evaluation locations throughout California

Report Support

• Easy-to-use Physician Portal
• Transcription/dictation support
• Report formatting and administrative preparation
• Historian Services
• Report quality assurance support
• Report submission assistance
• Tracking of supplemental report requests
• Administrative support related to depositions and follow-up activities

Practice & Physician Support

• QME onboarding and credentialing
• DWC process guidance
• QME education and training
• QME exam preparation resources for eligible physicians
• Mentorship and access to experienced QME physicians
• Ongoing physician education
• Dedicated physician support
• Billing and collections support
• Payment processing

For Experienced QMEs

• Expand your evaluation volume
• Access additional case opportunities
• Increase geographic coverage and expand into additional evaluation locations
• Reduce administrative workload
• Build or expand your medical-legal practice
• Gain access to operational, scheduling, billing, and administrative resources

For Physicians New to QME Work

• QME eligibility guidance
• Application and credentialing assistance
• Education regarding the California QME process
• QME competency examination preparation resources
• Medical-legal report-writing education
• Orientation to DWC requirements
• Mentorship from experienced QME physicians
• Guidance on establishing an efficient evaluation and reporting workflow
• Ongoing support as you develop your QME practice
• (Note: Physicians must independently satisfy applicable California QME eligibility and certification requirements)

Minimum Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted California physician license (MD or DO)
• Board certification or board eligibility in an eligible specialty, or other qualifications meeting applicable DWC requirements
• Ability to obtain and maintain California QME certification, if not already certified
• Strong clinical knowledge within your specialty
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills
• Ability to evaluate medical information objectively and independently
• Strong attention to detail
• Professional commitment to impartial, evidence-based medical opinions
• Ability to meet report completion and turnaround requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Current California QME certification
• Prior QME, AME, IME, or other medical-legal experience
• Experience with California Workers’ Compensation
• Experience preparing medical-legal reports
• Experience providing deposition or expert testimony
• Familiarity with California DWC regulations and QME requirements
• Strong report-writing skills
• Established clinical practice in an actively recruited specialty

Specialties of Interest

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Physical Medicine / Rehabilitation
• Pain Medicine
• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Occupational Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Cardiology
• Gastroenterology
• Nephrology
• Pulmonology
• Dermatology
• Otolaryngology
• Ophthalmology
• Urology
• Chiropractic

Join Our Physician Network

• Support Summary: You do not have to build a QME practice alone; we provide operational support, systems, resources, and administrative infrastructure.