Job Description

SUMMARY

The Office of the Coroner in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania is seeking a Full-time Board Certified Forensic Pathologist to examine traumatic, sudden and unexplained deaths involving cases in the public interest, including those affecting the criminal justice and public health systems. The Forensic Pathologist will perform postmortem examinations in compliance with the NAME Forensic Autopsy Standards, document findings in narrative reports, and offer objective consultation and/or court testimony to outside agencies, including criminal court officials and law enforcement. This position must also be available to receive and respond to telephone inquiries from home, while working on-call.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs examinations to determine the cause and manner of death and documents written reports of findings supported by the medicolegal death investigation;

• Examines the body structures and internal organs of human bodies in order to trace the cause of death, disease or illness;
• Reviews items related to autopsies such as hospital charts, deputy coroner reports, law enforcement agency reports, and postmortem results;
• Directs the determination and certification of causes of death.
• Directs the identification and preservation of evidence found on the body;
• Advises health departments, and government agencies involved in death investigations with relevant findings where applicable;
• Serves as an expert witness in depositions, grand jury sessions, trials, and conferences with attorneys;
• Provides expert witness capabilities for all forensic criminal and civil actions associated with cases investigated and any other forensic needs within Montgomery County jurisdiction;
• Participates in conferences with family members, law enforcement, attorneys, and other individuals to provide information and understanding on autopsy conclusions;
• Provides training to forensic technicians, investigators, photographers, interns, and other personnel assisting in the medicolegal death investigation;
• Provides assistance and guidance to the organ donor centers;
• Participates in regional disaster preparedness;
• Presents lectures for students, police officers, and the general community;
• Maintains current knowledge of industry, regulatory and legislative developments affecting the operations of the Coroner\'s Office;
• Write and review policy and SOP\'s as they relate to the daily operation of the Coroner\'s office morgue and staff;
• Participate in weekly / monthly meetings and provide feedback for death review teams and social media content;
• Assist with the implementation of continuing education lectures, create and offer presentations, and sourcing educators and topics;
• Assist in completing requirements for office accreditation to include the IACME and NAME
• Conduct research for the purpose of publishing studies of new concepts and advances as it relates to the field of forensic sciences;
• Search and apply for grants specific to medicolegal investigations, office functions and personnel;
• Manage morgue personnel / autopsy technicians;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Preferred five years of experience working in a Coroner or Medical Examiner office;
• Must be a licensed as a physician to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
• Must be a pathologist board certified by the American Board of Pathology or the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology in anatomic and forensic pathology;
• Skilled in performing autopsies, external examinations, and medical records reviews of decedents, with five years of experience working in a Coroner or Medical Examiner\'s Office;
• Knowledge of anatomy, pathology, anthropology and other related disciplines for identification and investigative purposes;
• Knowledgeable of firearms and other instruments of death;
• Knowledgeable of rules of evidence and court procedures;
• Knowledgeable of vehicular crash analysis;
• Adhere to NAME autopsy performance standards and requirements;
• Knowledgeable of federal, state, and local laws related to the operation of the county coroner\'s function;
• Must have a valid PA driver\'s license;
• Must be able to pass a criminal history background check and employment verification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to lift, move or carry objects up to 50 pounds; ascend or descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles; utilize feet and legs or hands and arms; maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, crouching, or navigating narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces; bend body downward and forward by bending spine and legs; move about on hands and knees or hands and feet; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects; and to reach with hands and arms. Occasionally incumbent maybe required to push/pull objects in excess of 100 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Employee may be exposed to health and environmental hazards;
• Standard work hours must be flexible, and may include days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays. May be greater than 37.5 hours per week, and may be called to report to duty at any time;
• Work is performed inside and outside. Exposure to cold, heat and elements of weather and nature may be encountered;
• May be exposed to significant workplace pressure and irregular hours.

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