Medical Examiner

Midland County•Usa, TX

About The Position

Serves as Department Head of the Medical Examiner’s Office (MEO), overseeing medicolegal death investigations, postmortem examinations, and determinations of cause and manner of death in accordance with Texas law. The Medical Examiner is responsible for the MEO’s medical, administrative, and operational management, including personnel, budget, compliance, and quality of services. The role exercises independent professional medical judgment while remaining accountable to Commissioners Court as provided by law. The Medical Examiner directly supervises the Lead Death Investigator and provides overall oversight of MEO personnel, including work assignments, employee performance, training, and recommendations regarding hiring, discipline, and termination. Personnel actions must comply with applicable Texas law, county policies, HR requirements, and Commissioners Court authority. The Medical Examiner retains responsibility for medical determinations and statutory duties that cannot legally be delegated to other personnel.

Requirements

Be a physician licensed by the Texas Medical Board, or be licensed and in good standing as a physician in another state, have applied to the Texas Medical Board for a Texas medical license, and have been granted a provisional license under Texas Occupations Code § 155.101.
Completion of an accredited residency in Anatomic Pathology or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology.
Completion of an accredited fellowship in Forensic Pathology.
Board certification in Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Pathology, or board eligibility if permitted by applicable law and county requirements.
Current, unrestricted Texas medical license or other licensure status expressly permitted by applicable Texas law.
Maintain all required professional credentials and meet statutory qualifications for appointment and continued service as Medical Examiner.
Knowledge of forensic pathology, death investigation, medical examination procedures, and applicable Texas laws.
Ability to make independent, evidence-based medical determinations and provide expert testimony.
Ability to manage personnel, budgets, MEO operations, and regulatory compliance.
Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional impartiality, and effective working relationships.

Nice To Haves

Training and experience in pathology, toxicology, histology, and other medicolegal sciences, to the greatest extent possible.
Experience in medicolegal death investigation, forensic pathology, and/or administrative oversight of a medical examiner or similar office.
Professional experience in forensic pathology or medicolegal death investigations, preferably including supervisory or administrative experience.

Responsibilities

Direct and perform medicolegal death investigations, determine jurisdiction, conduct or authorize autopsies, and establish cause and manner of death.
Review medical records, investigative findings, laboratory results, and other evidence to support accurate medical determinations and death certifications.
Authorize necessary forensic testing, identification procedures, cremation approvals, and organ or tissue procurement restrictions in accordance with applicable law.
Establish and oversee MEO policies, procedures, quality standards, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Ensure proper handling, documentation, preservation, and chain of custody of evidence, specimens, and personal property.
Oversee MEO operations, staffing needs, budget preparation, expenditures, equipment, facilities, and resource planning.
Supervise MEO personnel, including the Lead Death Investigator; establish performance expectations; conduct evaluations; and address staffing and disciplinary matters in accordance with County policies and applicable Commissioners Court authority.
Oversee records management, confidentiality, public information requirements, death certifications, and required reporting.
Provide expert testimony, professional consultations, and medical opinions related to death investigations and forensic findings.
Coordinate with law enforcement, healthcare providers, funeral homes, government agencies, and other organizations while maintaining professional independence and impartiality.
Establish appropriate after-hours medical coverage and oversee emergency response, disaster preparedness, and mass-fatality operations.
Ensure professional, respectful, and impartial treatment of decedents, families, employees, and the public.
Oversee personnel work assignments, performance, and training, and make recommendations regarding hiring, discipline, and termination, subject to applicable law and county authority.