JOB POSTING – Chief Forensic Pathologist and Medical Examiner

The Opportunity: Chief Forensic Pathologist/ Medical Examiner

Charlotte, North Carolina (Mecklenburg County)

The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiners Office (MCMEO) is currently seeking qualified candidates for our Chief Forensic Pathologist/ Medical Officer opening, to join and lead our Medical Examiners organization.

Position Summary

This position provides Medical Examiner and Forensic Pathology services to the citizens of Mecklenburg County and 2 additional regional counties for cases under ME jurisdiction. The successful candidate will join 3 current full time forensic pathologists in performing approximately 700 autopsies and 850 external examinations annually, issuing reports, completing death certificates, and testifying in court. This position further serves as the department director of an independent County office developing and implementing policies and procedures in compliance with state statutes and contracts.

What You Will Do

Each day brings a variety of experiences and may constantly change as you lead an organization to provide forensic services to the constituents of Mecklenburg County. In this role you will set the North Star for the Medical Examiner’s Office and as a player/ Coach and guiding the team, driving strategy, and team engagement to create a collaborative work environment. The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office (MCMEO) mission is to provide county morgue and medical examiner/forensic pathology services to the citizens of Mecklenburg County. The MCMEO interacts with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to assist in death investigations, reporting their findings on the cause and manner of death.

Essential Functions

Performs autopsies and physical examination to determine the cause and manner of death.
Prepares clear, concise narrative descriptions of autopsy findings.
Proper completion of death certificates and supplements as required to accurately reflect cause and manner of death on assigned cases.
Maintains Medical Examiner records and establishes policies for the documentation of the chain of custody for decedents’ person effects, evidence, and human remains.
Responsible for the review of all group work to ensure the quality and consistency of reports necessary for trial and prosecution purposes.
Provides guidance, direction, and work review to the support staff.
Testifies in court as an expert witness. Maintains cooperative liaison with all elements of the criminal justice system.
Coordinates with hospital transplant teams for authorized removal of organs, tissue, bone, and eye donations.
Establishes, evaluates, and monitors policies and operational procedures for handling potentially infectious autopsy cases and hazardous chemicals and equipment to assure optimal protection of personnel.
Conducts regular evaluations of facility and equipment to assure operation and maintenance standards for equipment.
Provides educational and informational opportunities through talks and lectures to law enforcement, medical and paramedical groups and other criminal justice and related agencies.
Coordinates office operations with State of NC ME system and State of NC statutes governing the ME system and performance of examinations and autopsies.
Oversees all operational aspects of the office to include administration, investigations, and morgue operations through coordination with managers and supervisors in each of those areas.
Directly oversees and evaluates the performance of the business manager, the investigations manager, and all forensic pathologists in the office.
Serves as a department director overseeing all office and morgue operations.
Participates in office finances and budget process with development of key performance indicators and Strategic Business Plan.
Attend and participate in monthly Cabinet meetings, meetings with deputy county manager, office All Team meetings, meetings with County HR, and any other meetings as required in the role of department director.
Provide guidance on public health issues and make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners, the County Manager, and the county at large.
Develop and implement strategic initiatives.
Set the tone, climate, and vision for the department or agency.
Assure that all federal, State and County deliverables are met, and review reports submitted by staff members to address inconsistencies and communicate efforts appropriately.
Address questions and interact with media.
Interpret and explain policies, rules, regulations, or laws to organizations, government or corporate officials, or individuals.
Prepare or present reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, government statutes or rulings, or other items affecting businesses or program services.
Serve as liaison between organizations, shareholders, and outside organizations.
Provide leadership in emergency preparedness response in the event of a pandemic, hurricane, flood, or other natural disaster/hazardous event.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: 5 years of experience as a forensic pathologist performing autopsies and serving as a medical examiner investigating and certifying deaths. At least 2 years of experience in a supervisory role.

Education: Graduation from an accredited school of medicine with residency training in anatomic pathology (AP) or anatomic and clinical pathology (AP/CP) and 1 year of fellowship training in forensic pathology (FP).

Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted: Yes

Licenses and Certifications:
Current board certifications in AP or AP/CP or other combination
Current board certification in Forensic Pathology (FP)
Current NC Medical License to be obtained prior to start of employment
Valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License to be obtained prior to start of employment
Annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check required

Preferred Qualifications

10 years of experience as a forensic pathologist/medical examiner

3 or more years of supervisory experience overseeing morgue operations and other pathologists, serving as a deputy director, or as a chief ME/FP

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:
All federal, state, and local regulatory requirements applicable to vital statistics recordation, laboratory operations, public records laws, and rules of evidence
Death scene investigation procedures
Established laws, regulations, rules, policies, and procedures governing the receipt, storage, and release of bodies
Microscopy, toxicology, ballistics, and investigative techniques as they related to forensic medicine.

Skills:
Applicable forensic tools
Applicable safety procedures
Laboratory procedures
Writing technical reports for presentations in court of law
Meet and deal effectively with the public and employees

Abilities:
Applied Learning: Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner
Communicate: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints and probably consequences
Stress Tolerance: Maintaining stable performance under pressure or opposition; handling stress in a manner that is acceptable to others and to the organization

Physical Demands

Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time. Constantly (26 or more hrs/week)
The person in this position needs to move about from point X to point Y. Occasionally (up to 10 hrs/week)
Operates a computer or other office equipment. Constantly (26 or more hrs/week)

Work Environment

Works in an office setting with moderate noise.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer Statement

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time.

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Mecklenburg County

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