Assistant Medical Examiner (2024)

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Recruitment began on July 9, 2024

Expires July 19, 2024

Full-Time JobGovernment, Law, & Public Policy

Apply Now

Exam Title: Assistant Medical Examiner

Exam Number: 4D47-20240708-OC-00

Salary: $218,648.00-$281,120.00 per year

  • Starting Salary: New employees may be appointed at a step in the pay range above the minimum salary depending on qualifications.

Certification Rule: Rule of List

Competition: Open-Competitive

Department:

Announcement Date: 07/08/2024

Close Date: 07/19/2024

General Definition:

  • Salary: $218K – $281K! No City of Philadelphia residency requirement!
  • Position: The Medical Examiner’s Office of the Department of Public Health is hiring doctors with board certification in forensic pathology to join their committed team. Applicants ready to advance their forensic pathology career with unique experience in a large county jurisdiction and a total rewards career should apply by July 19, 2024.
  • Attachments Required: Copy of board certification for application review.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, federal student loan forgiveness, generous health and pension benefits. Part-time positions are available!

ABOUT THE POSITION:

  • Role: Specialized medical work in determining the cause and manner of deaths under the medical examiner’s jurisdiction, including identifying criminal acts or negligence, and overseeing activities during evening and weekend shifts.
  • Distinction: Mastery in forensic pathology.
  • Interaction: Significant contact with families, governmental agencies, hospitals, physicians, etc.
  • Supervision: Under the direction of a higher level forensic pathologist.
  • Conditions: Disagreeable aspects that can only be partially controlled.

Union Code: J. AFSCME D.C.47 Local 2187

FLSA Code: Exempt

Application Procedures:

  1. Process: Complete the entire application process, provide accurate contact information, and submit all required certifications, licenses, and relevant documentation. Email documents to the Human Resources Representative listed below before the exam date.
  2. Notifications: Application approval, disapproval, and testing dates will be sent within the three-week period prior to August 5th, 2024.
  3. Analyst Contact:
    • Name: Melanie M Chalmers
    • Office: City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources
    • Address: 1401 JFK BLVD, 15th FL Room 1530, Philadelphia, PA 19102
    • Email: Melanie.M.Chalmers@phila.gov
    • Fax: 215-686-0861
    • Phone: 215-686-2690
  4. Inquiries: Contact Customer Service at 215-686-0880 or email hrhelpdesk@phila.gov

Minimum Requirements:

Minimum Training, Education & Experience:

  • Education: Graduation from an accredited medical or osteopathic school with a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy degree and completion of an internship in an approved hospital.
  • Certification: Possession of a certificate in forensic pathology issued by the American Board of Pathology.

Physical & Medical Requirements: Ability to physically perform duties and work in required environmental conditions.

Required Licenses & Certifications: Possession of a valid license to practice medicine or osteopathy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, issued by the State Board of Medicine or the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine.

Other Requirements:

  • Transcripts, Licenses, Registrations, and Certifications: Must be submitted at the time of application.
  • Options for Submission:
    • Option 1: Upload documents to your account and attach them to the application.
    • Option 2: Submit a paper copy for each application.

Equivalency Statement(s):

Application Details:

  • Employer Values: Inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work.
  • What We Offer: Impactful work, growth opportunities, diversity & inclusion, and comprehensive benefits.
  • Equal Opportunity: The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer.

Accommodations: The City is committed to providing accommodations for candidates with documented medical or religious reasons.

Employment Conditions:

  • Debt Certification: Applicants must be current on all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other obligations due to the City or have a payment agreement.

Application Submission: Only online applications will be accepted. Use available resources like the 3-1-1 Walk-In Center at City Hall or local Philadelphia Free Library branches if needed.

Disqualification:

  • Providing an incomplete or inaccurate social security number.
  • Practicing fraud or deception in the application process.

Correspondence: Ensure contact information is up-to-date. Add Phila.OHR@phila.gov to your trusted contacts to avoid notifications being marked as spam.

Eligible List: Only an Open-Competitive eligible list will be established. Candidates passing the exam will remain on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years.

Residency Waiver: The usual residency requirement for candidates is waived.

Philadelphia Resident Preference: Candidates with a bona fide Philadelphia residence for at least one year prior to the exam date will have priority.

Veteran’s Preference: Eligible veterans can receive ten points added to their test scores.

Legacy Preference: Children or grandchildren of Philadelphia Firefighters or Police Officers who died in the line of duty can receive ten points added to their final score.

National Volunteer Service Preference: Points added for completion of service with Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or similar programs.

Philadelphia School District Career and Technical Education Preference: Up to five additional points for recent graduates of career technical education programs.

Projected Exam Date: Training and Experience Evaluation. Applicants evaluated based on documentation of education and experience.

Test Review: Candidates may review their test papers within 30 days after the results are mailed.

For more information and application details, visit the City of Philadelphia Office of Human Resources’ social media pages or contact their office directly.

Assistant Medical Examiner (2024)

FAQs

Is becoming a medical examiner hard? ›

Becoming a medical examiner requires a highly dedicated individual. To prepare for this career, a high school graduate can expect to spend at least 12 years pursuing education and training in pathology and forensics.

Is being an autopsy tech hard? ›

Because of the knowledge and dedication of autopsy technicians, loved ones usually get their answers. This career can be stressful but can also be very challenging and exciting, especially for someone who is not squeamish or bothered by bodily parts and fluids.

What skills do you need to be a medical examiner? ›

According to McDonald, critical traits for a medical examiner include exceptional analytical skills, excellent communication skills and a strong constitution. A medical examiner must also have a good knowledge base of anatomy and histology.

Why do people want to be medical examiners? ›

There are a lot of good reasons why a person would become a coroner or medical examiner, and pay is among them. It's a special responsibility that requires a unique person who not only has a hunger for the truth, but the skills and abilities to uncover it.

What is the highest salary for a medical examiner? ›

Medical Examiner Salary in California
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$302,979$146
75th Percentile$265,000$127
Average$164,794$79
25th Percentile$63,200$30

What is the daily life of a medical examiner? ›

Typical job functions include:

Perform autopsies and external examinations. Order or complete needed lab tests and review results. Determine cause and manner of death. Complete death certificate and compile all findings into a report.

What does an autopsy assistant do? ›

Positions in this series assist pathologists in conducting autopsies, and maintain the tools, instruments and equipment of the autopsy room in a sterilized, disinfected manner; perform other related duties as assigned.

Why is the tongue removed during autopsy? ›

Both terms essentially mean "examination after death." Why is the tongue removed during autopsy? The tongue is removed during autopsy to thoroughly examine the oral cavity, access other throat structures, document any abnormalities, take tissue samples for further examination, and eliminate obstruction.

How many years does it take to become an autopsy technician? ›

For entry-level autopsy technician jobs, you need an associate's or bachelor's degree in a relevant field. A bachelor's degree is most common or often preferred by employers. This is typically a four-year process.

What type of person becomes a medical examiner? ›

A medical examiner is a physician, hence, the title medical examiner.

Is a medical examiner a stressful job? ›

MDIs report high levels of work-related stress

Medicolegal death investigators (MDIs) experience daily exposure to stressful and traumatic events with what they see, hear, smell, and document.

Do you need math to be a medical examiner? ›

The bulk of your coursework, however, should focus on math and science, which you'll rely on heavily to do your job, according to "Occupational Outlook Quarterly." Examples of courses include biology, chemistry, physics, algebra, geometry, calculus and statistics.

What are some challenges of being a medical examiner? ›

Managing Time and Work Space Issues with Family and Community Needs. Out of consideration for the family, the Medical Examiner makes all efforts to perform the autopsy and release the body as quickly as possible – within 12 hours and certainly less than 24 hours – after a death comes under jurisdiction.

Where do most medical examiners work? ›

They work for government agencies, medical schools, morgues, and hospitals. Off-site work is often required for medical examiners, including travel to provide testimony in courtrooms, consult with CSI examiners at police stations or crime scenes, and advise on abnormal autopsy findings in laboratories.

What are the risks of being a medical examiner? ›

Working in forensic pathology is mentally and physically draining. Those who pursue this career path are prone to burnout and risk exposing themselves to radiation hazards, toxins and bloodborne diseases.

What is the difference between a Coroner and a medical examiner? ›

A Medical Examiner is a forensic pathologist (a medical doctor with subspeciality training) with particular expertise in investigating violent, sudden and unexpected, suspicious or unattended deaths. A Coroner is an elected or appointed public officer whose chief duty is to certify the cause of death.

How long does it take to become an autopsy technician? ›

Those interested in pursuing this career should be sure to excel in biology, chemistry, and anatomy classes. Step 2: Pursue a bachelor's degree (four years) – Most forensic autopsy technicians must have a bachelor's degree to find employment.

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