Physician (Radiology-Diagnostic)

Job Title: Diagnostic Radiologist

Are you a board-certified Radiologist looking for a practice setting where your skills directly impact national security and military readiness?

The 436th Medical Group (MDG) at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, is seeking a talented Diagnostic Radiologist to lead our imaging services in Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES).

Unlike standard military bases, Dover Air Force Base is the home of AFMES, which stands out as a "one-of-one" institution within the Department of War.

• Global Reach: AFMES is the only medical examiner system authorized to support the Department of War and other federal agencies with comprehensive forensic investigative services worldwide. Within 48 hours of notification, their recovery teams can deploy to any environmental condition on Earth.

• Leading-Edge DNA Science: It hosts the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) , which is responsible for the massive, ongoing national mission of identifying the remains of fallen service members from past conflicts (dating back to WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam) as well as current operations.

• Dignified Returns: The medical staff, in coordination with Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations (AFMAO) and the Joint Personal Effects Depot (JPED), ensure the dignified transfer, forensic identification, and honorable return of every fallen American service member who dies overseas.

Physician Radiology-Diagnostic

Enjoy competitive compensation, standard outpatient clinic hours with no heavy trauma-center call requirements, generous paid time off, federal retirement plans, and malpractice protection.

• Salary negotiation/Leave accrual negotiations may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.
• Interest in forensics is preferred
• Medical malpractice liability insurance is not required for federal civilian healthcare providers as they are covered by the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 1346(b)) while acting within the scope of their employment.

Salary: Up to $400,000 year

Dover AFB is highly valued for its Mid-Atlantic positioning, making weekend trips to major metropolitan areas and coastal retreats incredibly convenient:

• Delaware Beaches (Rehoboth, Dewey, Bethany): ~1.5 to 2 hours south

• Philadelphia, PA: ~85 miles north (approx. 1.5 hours)

• Baltimore, MD: ~80 miles northwest (approx. 1.5 hours)

• Washington, D.C.: ~100 miles southwest (approx. 2 hours)

• New York City, NY: ~150 miles northeast (approx. 2.5 to 3 hours)

Responsibilities

• Diagnostic radiology casework in support of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES), the Defense Health Agency (HA/DHA) and the Department of Defense (DoD).

  • Provide expert radiological consultation and peer-reviewed interpretations for global medicolegal investigations, utilizing advanced imaging (CT, MRI, and digital radiography) to assist in determining cause and manner of death.

  • Interpret post-mortem imaging of active-duty service members, federal personnel, and other designated decedents to identify occult trauma, foreign bodies (e.g., projectiles, shrapnel), anatomical variations, and disease states.

  • Collaborate with the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) and physical anthropologists to utilize radiographic comparison (such as antemortem vs. postmortem dental and skeletal X-rays) for the definitive identification of fragmented or commingled remains.

• Oversee and interpret all radiological examinations conducted by the Forensic Pathology Investigations Division.

  • Perform diagnostic interpretation on 100% of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) scans, fluoroscopy, and traditional plain-film radiographs obtained during the autopsy process.

  • Generate authoritative, legally defensible, and timely radiology reports detailing all positive and negative skeletal, soft tissue, and visceral findings.

  • Provide expert testimony in federal, military, or civilian courts-martial and legal proceedings regarding radiological findings, injury mechanisms, and identification methodologies.

• Oversight and implementation of current Forensic Radiology processes and the development and implementation of future Forensic Radiology processes.

  • Standardize and update post-mortem imaging protocols to align with international standards set by the International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging (ISFRI).

  • Champion the integration of emerging imaging technologies, such as post-mortem CT angiography (PMCTA) and advanced 3D surface scanning, into the routine autopsy workflow.

  • Direct the validation, calibration, and quality control of advanced radiological equipment within the mortuary environment, ensuring compliance with federal radiation safety guidelines.

• Must have particularly outstanding, authoritative, broad, and intensive knowledge of all modalities of radiology, with an emphasis on forensic radiology.

  • Serve as the premier Department of Defense Subject Matter Expert (SME) on forensic radiology, providing expert consults to regional military treatment facilities and federal law enforcement agencies (e.g., FBI, AFOSI, CID).

  • Maintain board-certified proficiency in cross-sectional imaging (CT/MRI), musculoskeletal radiology, and emergency/trauma imaging.

  • Conduct active research, publish peer-reviewed forensic radiology literature, and lecture at national military and civilian medical conferences to advance the field of post-mortem imaging.

• Responsible for development and evolution of radiologic imaging service protocols, oversight/supervisor of radiology technologists and service practices.

  • Supervise, mentor, and evaluate the clinical performance of military and civilian radiologic technologists operating within the forensic environment.

  • Establish training programs specifically focused on post-mortem positioning, artifact reduction, and radiation safety protocols unique to forensic pathology.

  • Lead the technical integration and troubleshooting of specialized Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) customized for forensic and non-clinical storage.

• Maintain statistical records of workload, participates in Forensic Pathology Investigations meetings and committees.

  • Track and analyze operational metrics, including case turnaround times, imaging volume, and modality utilization, to optimize clinical efficiency and justify resource allocation.

  • Actively participate in daily morning mortality reviews, clinical consensus conferences, and multidisciplinary peer-review boards.

  • Present critical radiological findings during morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences, systemic review boards, and safety investigation panels.

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams consisting of Medical Examiners, Medicolegal Death Investigators, 92M (mortuary affairs specialists), radiology technicians, and IT personnel.

  • Lead real-time clinical review sessions at the viewing console with Forensic Pathologists prior to and during autopsy procedures to guide surgical dissection and evidence retrieval.

  • Partner with Army Mortuary Affairs Specialists (92M) and civilian technicians to ensure safe, respectful, and efficient patient flow through the imaging suite.

  • Work closely with specialized Defense Health Agency IT personnel to maintain secure, HIPAA-compliant (and potentially classified) imaging databases, ensuring uninterrupted PACS transmission and archival capabilities.

Qualifications

• Eligibility: Open to all U.S. Citizens. Qualifying experience includes