Deputy Chief Medical Examiner

Duties & Responsibilities

• Conducts and completes medicolegal death investigations pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 49.25, including performing autopsies and external examinations of decedents; collecting histologic, toxicologic, and physical evidence; interpreting gross anatomic pathology and microscopic pathology; interpreting toxicologic results; reviewing and synthesizing of medical records and police reports; crafting timely and thorough autopsy reports; and signing death certificates on a timely basis.
• Develops and implements appropriate quality assurance activities within the Pathology Division to ensure continuous compliance with accreditation requirements, relevant state statutes, and departmental policies. Documents case peer review, co-signs selected autopsy reports, and leads weekly QA and Peer Review Conferences. Works with the Quality Management Division to address nonconforming work and approves corrective and preventive actions in the Medical Examiner Services.
• Captures administrative aspects, including development of and adherence to a yearly budget for the Medical Examiner Services; facilitates hiring, training, performance feedback, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions. Guides and mentors Assistant Medical Examiners in professional interactions with family members, law enforcement, and attorneys, in addition to offering feedback on their court testimony.
• Directly supervises all staff within the Pathology Division as well as the Directors of the Investigations, Morgue & Histology, Anthropology & Emergency Management, and Forensic Imaging Divisions.
• Maintains oversight of case management activities to ensure case distribution is equitable and reports are completed in a timely manner. Assumes on-call responsibilities, fielding questions of jurisdictional matters, organ / tissue donation, scene logistics, and other matters related to case investigation.
• Provides expert testimony in criminal and civil court matters relating to medicolegal death investigations (including substitute testimony for other Assistant Medical Examiners who may not be available for testimony); prepares for testimony by attending depositions and pretrial conferences with attorneys as needed.
• Is fully engaged in teaching activities at the Department including mentoring forensic pathology fellows, supervising medical residents, and providing guidance to medical students. Provides direct supervision and instruction in autopsy performance as well as instructional presentations and lectures as needed.

Requirements

• Education: Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), or Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
• Completion of an ACGME-accredited (or equivalent) post-graduate residency program in anatomic / clinical pathology, and forensic pathology fellowship
• Experience: Ten (10) years’ experience in forensic pathology and death investigation, including five years’ experience supervising others
• Licensure: Licensed to practice medicine in the state of Texas by the date of employment; Certified by the American Board of Pathology in anatomic pathology and forensic pathology by date of employment
• Maintain a valid Texas Driver's License and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
• Additional Requirements: Must pass criminal background check and drug / alcohol screening (prior to and during employment)