Chief Medical Examiner

Overview

Job Summary:

The Clark County Office of the Medical Examiner (CCMEO) investigates deaths to determine jurisdiction and establish cause and manner of death for persons dying under unnatural circumstances in Clark County. CCMEO is accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) since 2005 and operates under the administrative oversight of the public health department. The CCMEO team includes a Chief Medical Examiner, Associate Medical Examiner, 3 Autopsy Technicians, 1 Lead Death Investigator, 5 death investigators, contract forensic pathologists, operations leadership, and staff.

CCMEO provides services to Clark County residents and contracts with Klickitat and Skamania counties for forensic autopsy services. Medical Examiner services are provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include death scene investigation, removal, locating and notifying next of kin, performing autopsies, interpreting toxicology results, identification of decedents, consulting with partners to determine opinions for archeologically significant remains, coordinating repatriation and reinternment of nonhuman remains, and providing consultative services to law enforcement agencies and the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

The Office is responsible for signing death certificates for jurisdictional deaths, reviewing disposition authorizations, maintaining records, evidence collection, chain of custody, safeguarding personal property found with decedents, and disposition of remains for unclaimed indigent persons who have died in Clark County.

Effective August 1, 2023, the salary range is $18,938 to $27,461 per month.

Classification Distinction

The Chief Medical Examiner, a single incumbent position, fulfills all statutory and operational duties and works with the Operations Manager and Community Health Director to establish and update policies and procedures, providing technical expertise to maintain national accreditation. The Chief Medical Examiner supervises the Associate Medical Examiner and all contract pathologists, manages morgue operations, and provides technical supervision of the Autopsy Technicians.

This position has broad responsibility and substantial autonomous decision-making in daily activities.

Work Environment

Incumbent typically works in a climate-controlled morgue suite involving biological evidence and exposure to lab chemicals, fumes, and odors. May also work in an office setting for documentation and report writing and may be subjected to adverse weather when responding to a death scene. The role involves managing multiple priorities and interacting in stressful or sensitive situations.

Knowledge

• Forensic pathology best practices, NAME accreditation standards, and principles of death investigation.
• Medical and legal aspects surrounding sudden and unnatural death; methods, practices, equipment, and procedures for handling deceased individuals.
• Data collection, statistical analysis, and report writing; laws and regulations affecting certification of death, release of bodies, custody of property, and accreditation requirements.

Abilities Include

Prepare detailed technical reports; resolve complex investigations of death; demonstrate strong interpersonal skills to work with co-workers, law enforcement, attorneys, elected officials, and the public; communicate effectively in writing and verbally; demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior.

Physical and Other Demands

Essential physical demands include strength, agility, and manual dexterity for standing, walking, lifting, pulling, and typing; driving to death scenes and meetings; sensory abilities for seeing, reading, speaking, hearing, and smelling necessary for postmortem examinations and communication with stakeholders.

Graduation from an accredited medical school and completion of an accredited forensic pathology fellowship. Must be licensed as a Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) in the state of Washington. Must maintain Board Certification from the American Board of Pathology. Must be a resident of Oregon or Washington and hold a valid driver license in the state of residency.

Preferred candidates have five or more years of experience as a Board-C Certified Forensic Pathologist.

• Performs 150 – 200 postmortem examinations per year.
• Retains samples, specimens, and tissues for analysis, examination, and documentation.
• Prepares detailed technical examination reports; maintains confidentiality of autopsy reports and records.
• Issues preliminary written reports of the cause of death when further investigation is not required.
• Keeps records and documentation regarding investigations and transferred evidence.
• Provides supervision for Associate Medical Examiner and Autopsy Technician staff; directs hiring in coordination with the Community Health Director.
• Plans, directs, and evaluates the work of Autopsy Technicians.
• Requests, within budget, arrangements for additional…