Physician (Radiology-Diagnostic) GP-0602-14

Defense Health Agency Civilian Corps, Falls Church, VA • Dover, DE

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The 436th Medical Group (MDG) at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, is seeking a board-certified Diagnostic Radiologist to lead imaging services within the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES). AFMES is a unique institution within the Department of War, providing global forensic investigative services and operating the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) for identifying fallen service members. This role ensures the dignified transfer, forensic identification, and honorable return of fallen American service members. The position offers competitive compensation, standard outpatient clinic hours with no heavy trauma-center call requirements, generous paid time off, federal retirement plans, and malpractice protection under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Salary negotiation and leave accrual negotiation may be available for candidates new to Federal service. Interest in forensics is preferred.

Requirements

• Must have particularly outstanding, authoritative, broad, and intensive knowledge of all modalities of radiology, with an emphasis on forensic radiology.
• Eligibility: Open to all U.S. Citizens. Qualifying experience includes both paid and unpaid/volunteer work.
• Education: Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), or an equivalent degree from an accredited U.S./Canadian medical school (or foreign equivalent with permanent ECFMG certification, Fifth Pathway, or USMLE completion).
• Licensure: Must hold a current, active, full, and unrestricted state, territory, or District of Columbia medical license.
• Graduate & Specialty Training: Minimum of 1 year of accredited supervised clinical experience (internship or first-year residency).
• Successful completion of an accredited residency program in Diagnostic Radiology, plus equivalent experience/training totaling at least 4 years (experience cannot substitute for required residency).

Nice To Haves

• Interest in forensics is preferred

Responsibilities

• Diagnostic radiology casework in support of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES), the Defense Health Agency (HA/DHA) and the Department of Defense (DoD).
• Provide expert radiological consultation and peer-reviewed interpretations for global medicolegal investigations, utilizing advanced imaging (CT, MRI, and digital radiography) to assist in determining cause and manner of death.
• Interpret post-mortem imaging of active-duty service members, federal personnel, and other designated decedents to identify occult trauma, foreign bodies (e.g., projectiles, shrapnel), anatomical variations, and disease states.
• Collaborate with the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) and physical anthropologists to utilize radiographic comparison (such as antemortem vs. postmortem dental and skeletal X-rays) for the definitive identification of fragmented or commingled remains.
• Oversee and interpret all radiological examinations conducted by the Forensic Pathology Investigations Division.
• Perform diagnostic interpretation on 100% of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) scans, fluoroscopy, and traditional plain-film radiographs obtained during the autopsy process.
• Generate authoritative, legally defensible, and timely radiology reports detailing all positive and negative skeletal, soft tissue, and visceral findings.
• Provide expert testimony in federal, military, or civilian courts-martial and legal proceedings regarding radiological findings, injury mechanisms, and identification methodologies.
• Oversight and implementation of current Forensic Radiology processes and the development and implementation of future Forensic Radiology processes.
• Standardize and update post-mortem imaging protocols to align with international standards set by the International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging (ISFRI).
• Champion the integration of emerging imaging technologies, such as post-mortem CT angiography (PMCTA) and advanced 3D surface scanning, into the routine autopsy workflow.
• Direct the validation, calibration, and quality control of advanced radiological equipment within the mortuary environment, ensuring compliance with federal radiation safety guidelines.
• Serve as the premier Department of Defense Subject Matter Expert (SME) on forensic radiology, providing expert consults to regional military treatment facilities and federal law enforcement agencies (e.g., FBI, AFOSI, CID).
• Maintain board-certified proficiency in cross-sectional imaging (CT/MRI), musculoskeletal radiology, and emergency/trauma imaging.
• Conduct active research, publish peer-reviewed forensic radiology literature, and lecture at national military and civilian medical conferences to advance the field of post-mortem imaging.
• Responsible for development and evolution of radiologic imaging service protocols, oversight/supervisor of radiology technologists and service practices.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate the clinical performance of military and civilian radiologic technologists operating within the forensic environment.
• Establish training programs specifically focused on post-mortem positioning, artifact reduction, and radiation safety protocols unique to forensic pathology.
• Lead the technical integration and troubleshooting of specialized Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) customized for forensic and non-clinical storage.
• Maintain statistical records of workload, participates in Forensic Pathology Investigations meetings and committees.
• Track and analyze operational metrics, including case turnaround times, imaging volume, and modality utilization, to optimize clinical efficiency and justify resource allocation.
• Actively participate in daily morning mortality reviews, clinical consensus conferences, and multidisciplinary peer-review boards.
• Present critical radiological findings during morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences, systemic review boards, and safety investigation panels.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams consisting of Medical Examiners, Medicolegal Death Investigators, 92M (mortuary affairs specialists), radiology technicians, and IT personnel.
• Lead real-time clinical review sessions at the viewing console with Forensic Pathologists prior to and during autopsy procedures to guide surgical dissection and evidence retrieval.
• Partner with Army Mortuary Affairs Specialists (92M) and civilian technicians to ensure safe, respectful, and efficient patient flow through the imaging suite.
• Work closely with specialized Defense Health Agency IT personnel to maintain secure, HIPAA-compliant (and potentially classified) imaging databases, ensuring uninterrupted PACS transmission and archival capabilities.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Standard outpatient clinic hours
• No heavy trauma-center call requirements
• Generous paid time off
• Federal retirement plans
• Malpractice protection (covered by the Federal Tort Claims Act)
• Salary negotiation/Leave accrual negotiations may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior