Associate Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist)

Associate Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist)

The State Medical Examiner's Office, within the Division of Forensic Sciences, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is seeking qualified applicants to fill the Associate Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist) position at GBI Headquarters in Decatur, Georgia.

The successful applicant will join a system that encompasses two regional medical examiner offices located in Pooler (Savannah) and Dry Branch (Macon), Georgia, in addition to the headquarters facility, located in Decatur, Georgia [Atlanta]. Collectively, these three offices provide complete forensic pathology services to 154 of the 159 counties in Georgia. The Decatur [headquarters] facility handles approximately 2,700 postmortem examinations per year, including about 400 to 475 homicides.

The Decatur [headquarters] medical examiner's staff currently consists of one (1) chief medical examiner, one (1) deputy chief medical examiner, nine (9) associate medical examiners, eighteen (18) death investigation specialists, one (1) graphic & visual art specialist, and five (5) office support staff. The average caseload per pathologist is between 250-300 cases per year.

The State Medical Examiner's Office has a total of 19 medical examiners throughout the state, when fully staffed, including two (2) board-certified pediatric pathologist staffed at headquarters. This office also operates the Child Abuse Investigative Support Center, which provides consultative services to law enforcement, district attorneys, the Division of Family and Children's Services, and other agencies, where inflicted injury is suspected in living children.

Decatur, Georgia is located within the Atlanta metropolitan area, a premier destination for business professionals and their families. The City of Decatur is a 4.4-square-mile, urban city just east of the City of Atlanta and is home to about 23,000 people. The City has five walkable commercial districts with 1.8M square feet of office in the City's four square miles designed just for businesses. Each district has its own character and includes a mix of office, retail, residential, and institutional uses.

The metro Atlanta region is home to more than 5.3 million people and nearly 150,000 businesses, a world-class airport, multiple parks and green space, competitive schools and numerous amenities for entertainment, sports and restaurants that all offer a top-tier quality of life. From its diverse economy, global access, abundant talent and low costs of business and lifestyle, metro Atlanta is a great place to call "home." Residents have easy access to arts, culture, sports and nightlife, and can experience all four seasons, with mild winters that rarely require a snow shovel.

Just east of the Atlanta BeltLine and six miles from downtown, the city of Decatur is 4.7 square miles packed with more than 200 great reasons to visit. And our downtown square ranks number #2 on 2021 USA TODAY's 10 Best Readers' Choice travel awards for Best Public Square. It's the perfect starting point for exploring DeKalb County and all of metro Atlanta. With three MARTA train stations inside its city limits, Decatur is well connected to downtown Atlanta, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and the world.

Decatur retains a strong connection to its history, while preparing for the future with managed growth and responsible development. Decatur maintains its own identity while forging bonds with other communities locally, nationally and internationally. Other U.S. cities and counties named Decatur participate in some of our festivities. We are a member of Sister Cities International.

Learn more about Decatur's Points of Interest as well as community activities, business and city government. Then come and see for yourself why Decatur folks are proud of their community.

The GBI Medical Examiner's Office is accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners. To learn more about the GBI Medical Examiner's Office, visit

Duties and Responsibilities

The Associate Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist) performs medicolegal autopsies under the provisions of the Georgia Death Investigation Act; generates examination reports for dissemination in a timely and efficient manner; provides expert courtroom and deposition testimony in judicial proceedings; and consults with law enforcement agencies and attorneys who work within the criminal system. The Associate Medical Examiner may perform other duties as directed by the Chief Medical Examiner.

Minimum Qualifications

Medical Doctor licensed to practice medicine in the state of Georgia or the ability to obtain Georgia licensure as required by state law AND Successful completion of an Anatomic Pathology residency and Forensic Pathology fellowship from an accredited institution AND Board certified by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology OR Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology AND Board certified or eligible for certification by the American Board of Pathology in Forensic Pathology.

Conditions of Employment

Selected candidates who have not yet achieved board certification in Forensic Pathology must sit for and successfully pass the board certification examination in Forensic Pathology at the earliest available administration upon becoming eligible. Failure to sit for and/or successfully pass the Forensic Pathology Board exam will result in an evaluation of continued employment. Selected candidate must be able to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the business which may require working weekends and/or holidays. Selected candidate must also be available to receive and respond to telephone inquiries from home, while acting in an on-call status.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for the position is $260,000-$280,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience. Advancement within the salary structure is commensurate with cumulative experience and achievement of full board certification for those who are hired but not yet fully board certified.

*From date of completion of Forensic Pathology Fellowship through the 5th full year of postgraduate employment, w/o board certification, the salary will be: $260,000.00 per year.

*From date of completion of Forensic Pathology Fellowship through the 5th full year of postgraduate employment, with AP & FP board certification, the salary will be: $270,000.00 per year.

*From the beginning of the 6th postgraduate year forward, w/AP & FP board certification, the salary will be: $280,000.00 per year.

The Georgia Medical Examiner Loan Repayment Program is now available to qualified licensed physicians working as full-time Medical Examiners with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation! Recipients must agree to work full-time, on or after January 1, 2023, for GBI as a Medical Examiner for an opportunity to have a portion of their student loan debt to be paid through this loan repayment program. Loan repayment begins after twelve consecutive months of qualified employment. Qualified Medical Examiners may receive up to five years of student loan repayment for five years of employment with the GBI's Division of Forensic Science Medical Examiner's Office. Graduated loan repayment award amounts are based on eligible participating year in the repayment program:

First year maximum amount is $12,000

Second year maximum amount is $18,000

Third year maximum amount is $24,000

Fourth year maximum amount is $30,000

Fifth year maximum amount is $36,000

The maximum limit is $120,000 with five years of qualifying employment.

GBI offers a generous benefits package. Employees earn vacation time and sick leave and are granted 13 paid holidays each year. There are a variety of benefit options to choose from, including vision, dental, health and life insurance. We also offer an employee retirement plan and deferred compensation options.

Competitive benefits package:

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Annual vacation, sick, and education leave

13 paid holidays

Employee retirement plan

Deferred compensation options

Conference allowance

Reimbursement of all GA licensure and board certification fees

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer

The GBI reserves the right to close this job announcement once a qualified applicant pool has been identified.

• Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or by e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not necessarily receive an interview. Applicants who are not selected for an interview will not receive notification.
• The GBI follows the Federal statute regarding illegal drug use and is a drug-free workplace. Although some states have legalized recreational drug use, applicants who