ASSISTANT MEDICAL EXAMINER

Definition

Under the direction of the Chief State Medical Examiner, Deputy Chief State Medical Examiner or other supervisory official in the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner, or in a county-operated facility, conducts death investigations and performs examinations, including autopsies, to determine the cause and manner of sudden, accidental, violent, or suspicious deaths within the county; certifies the cause and manner of death; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Reviews medical records, scene investigator reports, police reports and other contributory information to determine jurisdiction, as well as cause and manner of death.
• When deemed necessary, attends the scene of death and records any pertinent information which may have a bearing on the cause and manner of death. Supervises the disinterment of bodies for subsequent autopsies.
• Collects and retains evidence such as samples, specimens and tissues necessary for analysis, examination and documentation as prescribed by existing practices of forensic pathology.
• Performs external examinations/autopsies of individuals who die under sudden, violent, accidental, or suspicious circumstances and other cases as outlined in the - Revised State Medical Examiner Act', to determine the cause and manner of death. Requests any ancillary tests as deemed necessary for accurate work-up of cases.
• Signs death certificates for those individuals who fall under the jurisdiction of the office.
• Reviews medicolegal investigators' reports, toxicology findings, and other reports to accurately determine of the cause and manner of death.
• Prepares and submits required reports of findings of autopsies and investigations in a timely fashion.
• Testifies in civil and criminal court or before a Grand Jury as to the cause and manner of the death regarding cases that have been investigated by the Medical Examiner's Office.
• Participates in resident and medical student education. Assists with the training of medicolegal death investigators, autopsy technicians, law enforcement, and Prosecutor's Office staff.
• Assists in the development of policy and procedures to guide the Medical Examiner's Office.
• May assume direction of the department in the absence of Chief, First Deputy Chief, Deputy Chief, or other supervisory official.
• Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited School of Medicine with a degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy.

<b>TRAINING:</b>

Completion of three (3) year Anatomic Pathology and one (1) year Forensic training at accredited institutions. Successful completion of a basic course conducted by the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner on the laws, rules and regulations relating to the New Jersey Medical Examiner System. Successful completion of seven full days of internship training at the New Jersey State Medical Examiner Office or equivalent approved by said office.

License

Applicants must possess a valid license to practice medicine in the State of New Jersey.

Appointees will be required to possess a valid New Jersey driver's license only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the - Revised State Medical Examiner Act' and other NJ State Statutes concerning the investigation and certification of death.
• 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, manner and cause 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 effectively utilize laboratory testing equipment.
• 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, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this 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 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.

Appointees will be required to obtain board certification in Anatomic and Forensic Pathology within three (3) years of employment. The inability to obtain the required certifications within this timeframe may be cause for separation.

<i><u>In a county-operated Medical Examiner's Office only</u>:</i>

Appointees may be required to possess board certification in Forensic Pathology through the American Board of Pathology or the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology.

CERTIFICATION

Appointees may be required to possess board certification in Anatomic Pathology through the American Board of Pathology or the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology.