Deputy Chief Medical Examiner

Mission & Vision

Mission: The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.

Vision: To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community. To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings. To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.

About the Role

The Deputy Chief Medical Examiner oversees all Medical Examiner Services – Pathology, Morgue, Histology, Anthropology, Imaging, and Investigations – ensuring statutory requirements are met and medicolegal death investigation activities comply with national accreditation standards. The role conducts medicolegal death investigations pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 49.25, performs autopsies, provides courtroom testimony, and teaches forensic pathology fellows, residents, and medical students.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and complete medicolegal death investigations, including autopsies, external examinations, evidence collection, pathology interpretation, toxicology interpretation, record review, autopsy report preparation, and death certificate signing (30%).
• Develop and implement quality assurance activities within the Pathology Division to maintain accreditation compliance, document peer review, co‑sign autopsy reports, and lead weekly QA and Peer Review Conferences (20%).
• Coordinate administrative functions such as budgeting, hiring, training, performance feedback, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions; mentor Assistant Medical Examiners in interactions with families, law enforcement, and attorneys (20%).
• Directly supervise all staff within the Pathology Division and the Directors of Investigations, Morgue & Histology, Anthropology & Emergency Management, and Forensic Imaging Divisions (10%).
• Monitor case management to ensure equitable distribution and timely completion; assume on‑call responsibilities for jurisdictional matters, organ/tissue donation, scene logistics, and related investigations (10%).
• Provide expert testimony in criminal and civil courts, including substitute testimony for other Assistant Medical Examiners; prepare for testimony by attending depositions and pre‑trial conferences (5%).
• Engage fully in teaching activities, mentoring forensic pathology fellows, supervising medical residents, guiding medical students, and delivering instructional presentations and lectures (5%).

Requirements

• Education: Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), or Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) with completion of an ACGME‑accredited (or equivalent) post‑graduate residency in anatomic/clinical pathology and a forensic pathology fellowship.
• Experience: Minimum ten (10) years in forensic pathology and death investigation, including at least five (5) years supervising others.
• Licensure: Licensed to practice medicine in Texas by the date of employment.
• Certification: American Board of Pathology certification in anatomic pathology and forensic pathology by the date of employment.
• Driver’s License: Valid Texas driver’s license and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
• Additional Requirements: Pass criminal background check and drug/alcohol screening (pre‑ and during employment); adhere to court testimony preparation policies; comply with subpoenas and court orders post‑employment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Expertise in forensic pathology, general anatomic pathology, and broad foundational knowledge of other medical and surgical specialties.
• Ability to communicate effectively with lay, technical, medical, and legal audiences; provide empathetic consultation to families of decedents.
• Proficiency in dictating autopsy findings, editing reports, and delivering testimony in civil and criminal proceedings.
• Capacity to express complex analytical conclusions calmly and unambiguously in adversarial situations.
• Strong independent decision‑making skills, especially under stress.
• Skill in providing constructive feedback to a range of staff, including professional personnel.
• Excellent time‑management abilities; capable of working independently with minimal supervision while handling multiple tasks.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office.

General Information

• Location: Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, 1861 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77054.
• Employment Type & Schedule: Full‑time; Monday‑Friday with weekend and holiday rotation. Consistently requires more than 40 hours per week; hours may vary based on departmental needs. Must be available for severe weather events or other emergencies.
• Work Environment: Morgue and office setting; routine exposure to deaths of adults and children from violence, disease, environmental hazards, and toxins; exposure to biohazardous materials and offensive odors.
• Physical Demands: Medium work; ability to push, pull, and lift up to 20 lb repeatedly; stand for extended periods; don and doff personal protective equipment (including N95 mask, gown, face protection, and self‑contained breathing apparatus) for extended durations while performing intricate postmortem examinations.
• Reports To: Chief Medical Examiner/Executive Director.
• FLSA Status: Exempt.