Forensic Pathologist

Arapahoe County•Centennial, CO

59d•$218,570 - $349,882•Onsite

About The Position

The Arapahoe County government serves its communities in ways both obvious and obscure. As the beating heart of local and regional government, we’re here for our neighbors on their best days—and their worst. We share our residents’ goals of preserving our quality of life and strive to be the place we’re proud to call home. The Forensic Pathologist assists in the operations and activities of the County Coroner’s office including the investigation, examination, and certification of deaths within the county that fall under the jurisdiction of the Coroner.

Requirements

Understands and interprets written material including technical material, notes, rules, regulations, instructions, reports, charts, graphs, or tables and applies what is learned from written material to specific situations.
Recognizes and uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling, communicates information in a succinct and organized manner, and produces written information which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience.
Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals, displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner, works with minimal supervision, is motivated to achieve, and demonstrates responsible behavior.
Shows understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern, develops and maintains relationships, may deal with people who are difficult, hostile, and/or distressed, relates well to people from varied backgrounds and situations, and is sensitive to individual differences.
Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively taking into account the audience and nature of information, makes clear and convincing presentations, listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately
Is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, and other individual differences in the workplace.
Accountability
Accessibility
Inclusivity
Integrity
Graduation from an approved school of medicine plus completion of residency training approved by the American Board of Pathology, and board certification in Anatomic or Anatomic/Clinical Pathology is required at the time of application.
Must have completed Forensic Pathology fellowship training at the time of appointment. Must be eligible to sit for the Forensic Pathology Boards at the time of appointment.
Must possess a license to practice medicine in the State of Colorado at the time of appointment (or demonstrate eligibility for licensure with the application process initiated).

Nice To Haves

By statute, board certification in forensic pathology is required within 4 years of completion of fellowship; office policy requires ABP board certification in forensic pathology within 2 years of hire.

Responsibilities

Reviews deaths reported to the County Coroner’s Office as required by Colorado Statute and determines which cases will require an autopsy or visual examination
Performs medicolegal autopsies in accordance with accepted standards in the recognized medical specialty of forensic pathology
Orders and interprets necessary diagnostic tests to aid in the diagnosis of disease and non-natural pathology, understands the effects of postmortem interval on laboratory test results, and determines the cause and manner of death
Gives testimony as to the cause of death and renders expert opinions in a variety of legal forums, both criminal and civil
Collects and preserves evidence using accepted chain of custody procedures
Documents findings at autopsy including pertinent findings and traumatic injuries in the form of written reports and supporting photographs
Consults with medical experts as necessary to aid in the determination of the cause of death
Meets and/or confers with attorneys, law enforcement, and health professionals to discuss the autopsy findings and investigation
Meets and/or speaks with families to discuss the results of the autopsy and the particulars of the death investigation and communicates with the media and other interested parties about the autopsy report
Shares on-call responsibilities with other staff physicians, responds to homicide or other suspicious death scenes as requested by law enforcement or the Coroner’s investigator, and consults in the release of organs and tissue for recovery by procurement agencies
Assists in the education and training of medical students, residents, student interns, and others in the function of the Coroner and in forensic pathology
Assists the Senior Medical Investigator in assessing the quality of services provided, helps ensure that staff and visitors conform with office and department safety policies at scenes and in the autopsy room, and assists in the development of office safety policies and in the development of office emergency preparedness plans
Assists in collaborations with local, regional, and state law enforcement, and investigative, legal and medical agencies including public health