JOB TITLE: Chief Pathologist
JOB CODE:DEPARTMENT:Coroner
UNION: 00
FLSA STATUS:Non-Exempt or Exempt
GRADE:99
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Office of the Coroner in Bucks County, Pennsylvania is seeking a Full-time Board-Certified Forensic Pathologist to examine traumatic, sudden and unexplained deaths involving cases of 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 FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Performs autopsies to determine the cause of death and document through 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 and law enforcement agency reports.
- 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.
- Complete requirements for office accreditation to include IACME.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- 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 three 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.
Position:
Chief Pathologist
FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Physical Demands: (Check all that apply)
Balancing
X
Stooping
X
Pushing
X
Climbing
X
Crouching
X
Pulling
X
Crawling
X
Kneeling
X
Handling
X
Standing
X
Sitting
X
Talking
X
Turning
X
Reaching
X
Hearing
X
Seeing
X
Color Vision
X
Depth Perception
X
Mobility
X
Lifting: (Check one)
Carrying: (Check one)
Sedentary
(Up to 10 lbs)
Sedentary
(Up to 10 lbs)
Light
(Up to 20 lbs)
Light
(Up to 20 lbs)
Medium
(Up to 50 lbs)
Medium
(Up to 50 lbs)
X
Heavy
(Up to 100 lbs)
X
Heavy
(Up to 100 lbs)
Very Heavy
(Over 100 lbs)
Very Heavy
(Over 100 lbs)
Aptitudes: (Check all that apply)
Form perception
X
Problem solving
X
Motor coordination
X
Working speed (ex.wpm)
X
Finger dexterity
X
Manual dexterity
X
Computer/VDT ability
X
General learning ability
X
Clerical perception
X
Environmental Conditions: (Check all that apply)
Extreme cold
X
Extreme heat
X
Temperature changes
Wet conditions
Humid conditions
Exposure to fumes
Exposure to blood and body fluids
X
Noise and vibration
Exposure to chemicals
X
Poor ventilation
Inclement weather conditions;
Inside/outside weather conditions
X
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
