ASSOCIATE MEDICAL EXAMINER
Associate Medical Examiner is an unclassified role, so it is appointed at the discretion of the hiring authority and does not carry the usual exam-and-tenure track.
It expects a doctoral degree, 3 years of relevant experience, and a professional license.
How to get hired
- Associate Medical Examiner is an unclassified title. It is filled by appointment rather than by examination, and it sits outside civil service tenure protection.
- Openings are made directly by the appointing authority, usually a department head, board, or elected official.
- Salary for unclassified roles is often set individually, so the published range is a guide rather than a fixed grade.
Read the official specification at NJ Civil Service Commission.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Examples of work
- Performs post-mortem examinations of individuals under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner's office.
- Collects and retains evidence such as samples, specimens and tissues necessary for analysis, examination and documentation as prescribed by existing practices of forensic pathology.
- Submits samples of body fluids and tissues for toxicology and clinical laboratory examinations, when required.
- Reviews case information and determines the cause and manner of death.
- Certifies deaths by reviewing post-mortem examinations and laboratory findings.
- In addition to the performance of general medical examiner duties, handles the most complex assignments and investigations requiring subject matter expertise.
- Prepares and submits detailed reports of findings from post-mortem examinations and investigations.
- Visits scenes of death and performs investigative death scene examinations as necessary.
- Provides expert testimony in court trials and grand jury proceedings regarding the cause of death and other relevant conclusions.
- Interacts with families, law enforcement agencies, staff members, the medical and legal communities and other relevant agencies regarding causes of death.
- Assists in preparing and participating in disaster exercises for the New Jersey Medical Examiner system.
- Assists in enforcing the provisions of the Revised State Medical Examiner Act.
- May instruct and guide Assistant Medical Examiners and other office personnel.
- Maintains essential records and files.
- Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, officer or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy.
Experience
Three (3) years of experience performing post-mortem examinations (autopsies) and investigations in a coroner or medical examiner's office.
License
Appointees must possess a valid license to practice medicine in the State of New Jersey.
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies and processes of the New Jersey Medical Examiner System.
- Knowledge of the scientific and forensic principles, practices and techniques used to prepare, examine, analyze and identify evidence.
- Knowledge of investigative procedures and techniques necessary to establish the circumstances, cause and manner of death for individuals in custody of the medical examiner's office.
- Ability to perform post-mortem examinations and death scene investigations.
- Ability to determine and certify causes of death through the principles of anatomic and forensic pathology.
- Ability to provide testimony and act as an expert witness in court and grand jury proceedings.
- Ability to prepare clear, sound and accurate reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- Ability to maintain essential records and files.
- Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of the position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
CERTIFICATION
Appointees must possess board certification in Forensic Pathology through the American Board of Pathology or the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology.