Forensic Pathologist

Duties

TYPICAL CLASSIFICATION ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Coordinate,conduct, and oversee timely postmortem examinations of assigned cases.
• Eviscerate, dissect, and examine individual body organs and retain appropriate samples,specimens, and tissues necessary for analysis, examination, and documentation in accordance with applicable laws and standard practices of forensic pathology as available resources allow.
• Microscopically examine tissues,review toxicology results, and correlate findings of all appropriate ancillary testing
• with postmortem examination findings to determine cause and manner of death.
• Ensure proper handling of organs,tissues, bodies, items found on or around bodies, and disposition of unclaimed bodies, in accordance with legal requirements.
• Prepare written reports in a timely manner to document results supported by postmortem examination findings and medicolegal death investigations following completion of postmortem testing.
• Review all forensic work to ensure quality and consistency of reports necessary for medicolegal purposes.
• Provide family conferences in person and by telephone to family members of decedents, as needed,to increase the level of understanding of cause and manner of death and the physiologic mechanisms involved.
• Provide expert witness services for all forensic criminal and civil actions associated with investigated cases and any other forensic needs within Pinal County.
• Participate in county,state, and/or national forensic pathology organizations and programs to meet continuing medical education requirements, provide input and gain knowledge in forensic medicine/pathology, and maintain recognition of the Pinal County Medical Examiner's Office.
• Initiate and authorize death certifications for assigned cases, and review and approve cremation authorization requests.
• Maintain HIPAA compliance.
• Maintain medical licensure in the state of Arizona.
• Maintain board certification by the American Board of Pathology.
• Act as a liaison between the Medical Examiner's Office and internal and external stake holders, including the public, media outlets, law enforcement agencies,contract pathologists and toxicologists, and transportation personnel.
• Consult and coordinate with state and regional law enforcement agencies, attorneys, physicians,families,witnesses, and other agencies involved in death investigations.
• Consult with and advise members of the general public, municipal and state agencies,federal officials, and others regarding Medical Examiner issues,which include but are not limited to jurisdiction,coordination of investigations, and disaster operations.
• Represent the Medical Examiner’s Office on selectlocal and State committees such as Childhood Fatality Review
• Committees,Overdose Fatality Review Board,Mass Fatality Planning, or other related committees.
• Provide education and public outreach activities to the community through presentations to law enforcement, medical, paramedical, and other criminal justice groups and related agencies.
• Exercise sound judgment when prioritizing,tracking, and managing workload.
• Research and identify grant-funded programs available from State and Federal sources consistent with County goals.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality ofwork-related issues,customer records, and restricted County information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, or Computer Forensics

Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Graduation from an approved school of medicine and possession of a current license to practice medicine in the State of Arizona, as required by the Arizona Department of Professional Regulation.
• Arizona residents must have an Arizona Driver’s License upon hire; newly established Arizona Residents must have one within 30 days of hire.
• Certification in Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology at the time of employment or within two years of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One (1) year of professional experience in forensic pathology.

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