Board Certified Forensic Pathologist

Forensic Pathologist

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 autopsies 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 preservation of the chain of evidence.
• Advises health departments, and government agencies involved in death investigations with relevant findings.
• 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 on investigations and autopsies.
• 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, officers, and the general community.
• Maintains current knowledge of industry, regulatory and legislative developments affecting the operations of the Coroner's Office.
• Writes policy and SOP's as it relates to the daily operation of the Coroner's office and staff.
• Develops a fully-accredited post-graduate Forensic Pathologist Fellowship training program to include academic and hands-on instruction in the field of forensics, anthropology, odontology, criminalistics, toxicology and firearms.
• Participates in weekly / monthly meetings and provides feedback for death review teams and social media content.
• Assists Program Director with the implementation of continuing education lectures, presentations and sourcing educators and topics.
• Completes requirements for office accreditation to include IACME, NAME.
• Conducts research for the purpose of publishing studies of new concepts and advances as it relates to the field of forensic sciences.
• Searches and applies for grants specific to medicolegal investigations, office functions and personnel.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements:

• Must be a licensed as a physician to practice medicine in the State of Pennsylvania.
• Must be a pathologist board certified by the American 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.

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 may be 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.