Forensic Pathologist

Description of Work

This is an advanced specialized professional medical position that provides pathology assistance to the Chief Medical Examiner. The Associate Chief Medical Examiner performs medico-legal examinations (up to approximately 250 per year) and/or reviews non-central office medical examiner cases (at least 400 per year; number is dependent on Pathologist’s autopsy case load), is responsible for the medicolegal interpretations of the findings and consults with local medical examiners. The employee may serve as a senior attending pathologist for autopsies performed by the Forensic Pathology Fellow, pathology residents, and medical students. S/he gives both individual and group instruction in Forensic Pathology to lay and professional audiences including law enforcement, medical students, physicians, and allied health professionals.

Medicolegal Autopsy Examinations

The physician employee may perform approximately 200-250 medicolegal autopsies per year and prepares a final written autopsy report of the findings based on the autopsy examination itself, review of the histologic slides and toxicology results, consultation with law enforcement officials, and/or a review of the decedent’s medical records. S/he is responsible for the final certification of cause and manner of death in these autopsy cases. The autopsy findings and interpretation are discussed with family members, other physicians, law enforcement agents and attorneys. In addition, the Associate Chief Medical Examiner may consult with medical examiners, pathologists, law enforcement personnel, and the media on the interpretation and significance of findings and laboratory test results.

Case Review and Quality Control

This individual is assigned a set of North Carolina counties (number dependent on autopsy case load). S/he is responsible for reviewing the investigation/autopsy reports submitted by the local medical examiners and regional pathologists to assure that the reports are complete, accurate, and consistent before they become official public records. The Associate Chief Medical Examiner is responsible for final death certification on these cases. 

About the Division of Public Health and Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

The NC Division of Public Health (DPH) works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina – Everywhere, Everyday, Everybody.

Visit our website at http://ocme.dhhs.nc.gov to learn more.

Campus Amenities and Benefits at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

We are located in Raleigh, NC. According to Forbes, we are ranked as one of the top 20 best places to retire and the 2nd most educated city in the country. US News & World ranks Raleigh among the top 15 places to live in the U.S.

• 220,000 square feet state-of-the-art facility
• Plentiful Free Parking
• Easy access to highways (70, 40 and 440), NC Museum of Art, Umstead State Park, healthcare providers, and shopping centers
• Proximity to globally and nationally ranked universities (NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke)
• Fitness area with exercise equipment, classes, and wellness activities
• Weekly Food Trucks
• Car Cleaning and Detailing Services On-site bimonthly
• Annual Flu Shot Clinic for Employees and Families
• Monthly and quarterly career development classes, including opportunities for traveling
• Library of academic journals and materials on-site
• Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities
• NC OCME Employee Recognition Programs
• State Health Plan and State of NC Employee Benefits

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

To receive credit for all of your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form. Any information listed under the text resume section or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit. Qualified candidates must document on the application that they possess all of the following:

• Extensive knowledge of principles, practices, literature, and current developments in the fields of pathological anatomy and forensic pathology.
• Extensive knowledge of theoretical principles of the biological sciences including biochemistry, toxicology, anatomy, physiology, microscopy, and pharmacology.
• Extensive knowledge of the diversified specialized equipment, instruments, and materials required in all phases of pathology.
• Knowledge of laboratory protocol, procedure, and techniques associated with medicolegal investigative work.
• Thorough knowledge of legal medicine and ability to make medicolegal interpretations; ability to organize and implement a medical examiner program.
• Ability to work effectively with professional and lay persons in promoting and carrying out his/her duties.

Management Preferences:

• Must be board certified or board eligible in anatomical pathology and forensic pathology
• Must have graduated from an accredited school of medicine with the degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy and eligible to obtain a license to practice medicine in the State of North Carolina.
• Must be board eligible/certified in Anatomic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology and board eligible/certified in Forensic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to stand for long periods of time; use upper body strength to conduct dissections on human remains.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

Eligible to obtain license to practice medicine in the state of North Carolina, board eligible/certified in Anatomic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology, and board eligible/certified in Forensic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology.

Supplemental and Contact Information

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or political influence. Pre-Employment criminal background checks are required for some positions.

Division of Public Health (DPH) main locations, including their grounds, are tobacco-free as outlined in the Tobacco-free Campus Policy. All tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, “vape products” and all smokeless tobacco products, may not be used in the indicated areas. For more information, please see the policy and FAQ posted here:

http://publichealth.nc.gov/employees/

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. You will either receive a call to schedule an interview or an email notifying you when the job has been filled.

For technical issues with your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627. Applicants will be communicated with via email only for updates on the status of their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR, 919-707-5450.

Please refer to the link below for additional information:

https://oshr.nc.gov/work-nc/how-do-i-get-job

NOTE: For temporary, contract or other supplemental staffing appointments:

There are no paid leave, retirement or other benefits associated with these appointment types.

For permanent and time-limited appointments:

Eligible employees have benefits that include employee health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, NC Flex (a variety of high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis), and paid vacation, sick, and community service leave, to name a few. Paid parental leave is available for eligible employees. Some benefits require 30 + hours work/week for participation.

Read Full Description