SENIOR PHYSICIAN (Forensic Pathology)

LA County Department of Medical Examiner; California (MO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cafeteria Benefit Plan

Contributory Defined Benefit Pension

Deferred Compensation & Thrift Plans

13 paid Holidays

Job summary

LA County Department of Medical Examiner is seeking a Senior Physician with board-certified expertise in Anatomic Pathology or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and a forensic pathology fellowship. The role includes directing medico-legal investigations, coordinating autopsy cases, and supervising clinical and administrative tasks in a high-volume unit.

Applicants must hold a California State Physician and Surgeon's Certificate and ABP certification in pathology, with at least one year of

Qualifications

• Residency approved by an American Specialty Board in Anatomic Pathology or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology.
• Fellowship in Forensic Pathology or equivalent training.
• One (1) year of experience in medical practice, post graduate training, teaching or investigative work.
• California State Physician and Surgeon’s Certificate authorized by the Board of Medical Examiners of the State of California.
• Certification by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology.

Responsibilities

• Oversee medico-legal investigative examinations specializing in sudden, unexpected, and violent deaths as assigned and within established timelines.
• Coordinate and supervise autopsy procedures and consults with Deputy Medical Examiners.
• Supervise record maintenance, reporting, and quality assurance of autopsy files.
• Participate in training medical students, interns, and residents.
• Collaborate with public health and law enforcement on interdepartmental activities.

Education

Residency in Anatomic Pathology or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology

Fellowship in Forensic Pathology or equivalent training

Job description

Type Of Recruitment

Open Competitive Job Opportunity - We welcome applications from everyone.

Position/Program Information

Exam Number: P5456C-R

Filing Period

Applications will be accepted starting Fri day, January 17, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. (PT). This examination will remain open until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

About The Medical Examiner

The Department of Medical Examiner investigates and determines the circumstances, manners and cause of all violent, sudden or unusual deaths occurring within the County. Each year approximately 18,000 cases are reported to the Department, of which about half fall within its jurisdiction. We conduct about 5,700 autopsies per year, making it one of the largest medical and most technologically sophisticated examiner’s offices in the world, due to the complexity of cases investigated, including numerous high-profile cases.

What You Will Do

This position is held by a licensed physician that has immediate charge of a small medical section within a larger medical unit or a small program of a medical facility.

Exceptional Benefits

The County of Los Angeles offers an excellent benefits package that includes a Cafeteria Benefit Plan, Contributory Defined Benefit Retirement Plan, Deferred Compensation & Thrift Plans, and 13 paid Holidays.

Essential Job Functions

• Performs administrative duties such as determining equipment and supply needs, addressing personnel-related issues, developing and revising work procedures for expediting workload or improving levels of service, and screening work.
• Formulates policies and plans and directs the programs and medical work of the section or assists in such activities for a division of a medical department.
• Oversees and/or performs medico-legal investigative examinations specializing in sudden, unexpected, and violent deaths as assigned and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, protocols, and guidelines and within established timelines.
• Participates in the training of medical students, interns and resident physicians.
• Coordinates the work of the section with that of other medical and paramedical services.
• Consults and confers with officials of public health and law enforcement to coordinate interdepartmental activities as assigned.
• Confers with consultants regarding care of patients and medical and diagnostic work performed, and coordinates the work of consulting physicians with the work of the section.
• Supervises the maintenance of records and the compilation and preparation of reports.
• Serves in an acting capacity in the absence of the Medical Director in responding to Board inquiries or procurement of decedent organs.
• Assigns autopsy cases to doctors; tracks cases to ensure timely completion.
• Provides autopsy case consultations to Deputy Medical Examiners.
• Reviews autopsy case files for quality assurance.

Requirements

Completion of a residency approved by an American Specialty Board in Anatomic Pathology or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology* - AND - a fellowship in Forensic Pathology or equivalent training** - AND - One (1) year of experience in medical practice, post graduate training, teaching or investigative work.

License

• California State Physician and Surgeon's Certificate authorized by the Board of Medical Examiners of the State of California.*
• Certification by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology.*
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Physical Expectations

Physical Class III – Moderate: This class requires that the incumbent stand or walk most of the time with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces, occasional lifting of objects weighing over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.

Special Requirement Information

• Applicants who possess the required California State Physician and Surgeon's Certificate authorized by the Board of Medical Examiners of the State of California and Certification by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, must attach legible copies of their certificates to the application at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from application submission and email the documents to [e-mail]. Please include the exam number and exam title in the subject line of your email. PDF or JPEG format is helpful and file size should be less than 5 MB. We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

The required license/certificate MUST be current. Applications without the required documentation will be denied.

• Equivalent training is defined as training which the appropriate American certifying board formally recognizes in writing as being equivalent.

Withhold Information

• No withholds will be allowed for this examination.
• Required experience and education must be fully met and indicated on the application by the last day of filing.

Additional Information

Our Assessment Process

This examination will consist of a review and appraisal of qualifications based upon information from a Curriculum Vitae (CV)* weighted 100% assessing technical, investigative, and administrative and leadership experience.

Education

As part of the application, all applicants must submit a CV summarizing their education, experience, and training as it relates to the Senior Physician position and the experience areas being assessed (technical, investigative, and administrative and leadership). Each CV should include:

• educational degrees obtained
• professional experience (i.e., current and prior relevant work experience) including a description of duties performed
• teaching experience
• research completed (e.g., studies, articles, publications)
• awards received
• academic and professional presentations given
• professional memberships or committee participation

Application Requirements

ALL applicants must attach their CV and legible copies of their certificates to the application at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from application submission and email the documents to [e-mail]. Applications that are missing the CV and copies of their certificates will be deemed incomplete.

YOU WILL NEED TO MEET THE SELECTION REQUIREMENTS AND ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER IN ORDER TO BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE LIST.

NOTE: It is important to provide a valid email address. Do not select "off" under Email Preferences within your profile or click "unsubscribe" on our notices if you would like the County of Los Angeles to advise the status of your application, test schedules, and other important information pertaining to your candidacy for this position.

Eligibility Information

The names of candidates receiving a passing grade in the examination will be placed on the eligible list in the order of their score group for a period of 12 months following the date of promulgation.

Vacancy Information

The eligible register resulting from this examination will be used to fill a vacancy at the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

Available Shift

Any

Application And Filing Information

Applications must be submitted online only and received before 5:00 p.m. PT on the final day of filing. Applications sent via U.S. mail, fax, or in person will not be accepted.

Important Reminders

• All information provided in the application is subject to verification at any stage of the examination or hiring process, even after an appointment is made.
• Any falsification of information may result in disqualification or the rescission of an appointment.
• Avoid copying text from the Class Specification and Minimum Requirements as your job description. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and disqualification.

Anti-racism, Diversity, And Inclusion (ardi)

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Social Security Number

Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

Computer And Internet Access At Public Libraries

For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.

No Sharing Of User Id And Password

All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

Testing Accommodation

If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, you will be given the opportunity to make a request when completing your application. Please note, you may be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation.

Exam Number

P5456C-R

Testing Accommodations Coordinator

[e-mail]

California Relay Services Phone

[phone] (TTY) and [phone] (Voice)

Contact Information

Department Contact Name: Erika Alcazar

Department Contant Phone: [phone]

Department Contact Email: [e-mail]

Employment Information

Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.

This document is intended to provide general information about the recruitment process of the County of Los Angeles. Applicants with questions about a specific job posting should contact the exam analyst listed on the posting.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement

The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit: https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/eeo-programs/

Testing Accommodations For Applicants

The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit: https://hr.lacounty.gov/accessibility/

Fair Chance

The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).

Employment Eligibility

Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.

Career PathFinder

Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at http://career-pathfinder.hr.lacounty.gov.

Veteran’s Credit

Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy, in all open competitive examinations (i.e., examinations open to everyone), the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran, who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions.

For more information on veteran’s credit, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205102_PPG_115.pdf (Download PDF reader)

Revised September 2025