Chief Forensic Pathologist

Buffkin / Baker • Charlotte, NC

1d • $276,000 - $406,000

About The Position

This position provides Medical Examiner and Forensic Pathology services to the residents of Mecklenburg County and 2 additional regional counties for cases under E 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. Reporting to the Deputy County Manager and Chief of Staff, 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. Office support staff includes the business manager and 2 administrative positions, an investigations manager and 11 death investigators, and 5 forensic autopsy/morgue technicians. The position is open due to the current Chief’s planned retirement at the end of 2025.

Requirements

• 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 are related to forensic medicine.
• Knowledge of rules of evidence as they apply to the preservation of specimens from a post-mortem examination
• 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
• Proficient in applicable computer programs
• 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.
• 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.
• Current NC Medical License
• Current board certifications in AP or AP/CP or other combination and in Forensic Pathology (FP)
• Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License
• Requires County Driving Privileges
• Annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check required
• 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

Nice To Haves

• 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

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Interprets histological, toxicological, chemical, hematological and microbiological laboratory results.
• 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.
• Provides information and statistical information to community agencies, insurance companies, news media, social agencies, educational programs, etc.
• 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 and part of the County Manager’s Cabinet.
• Participates in office finances and budget process with the 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.

Benefits

• Benefits include medical, dental, vision care, flexible spending accounts, short- and long-term disability as well as basic and supplemental term life insurance.
• The selected candidate will be automatically enrolled into the North Carolina Local Government Retirement System upon their employment.
• In addition, there is optional participation in one of two deferred compensation plans, a 457 Plan or 401(k) Plan, with a 5% match from the County.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree