Deputy Medical Examiner

Classification Title

Deputy Medical Examiner

Salary

$294,786.00 - $294,786.00

Department

Health Department

Opening Date

02/05/2025

Closing Date

When Position is Filled

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: At-Will

General Summary

Under the direction of the Macomb County Medical Examiner, this classification is responsible for performing post-mortem examinations, including microscopic and toxicology studies to determine official cause and manner of death in legally required cases. Investigates and identifies cause of death using approved medical procedures and notifies next of kin. Conducts authorized autopsies, performs microscopic and macroscopic studies of organs and fluids, and prepares reports detailing post-mortem inspections, including conditions relating to disease and a statement relating to cause of death. Testifies as an expert witness in criminal cases in Macomb County regarding findings. Utilizes current Countywide and/or department specific software to complete assignments.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

Performs medicolegal investigations, forensic autopsies, and completes reports.

Responds to scene investigations of homicides and suspicious deaths.

Testifies as an expert witness in court, depositions, and criminal cases.

Conducts autopsies, performs microscopic studies of organs and fluids and prepares reports detailing post-mortem inspections including conditions relating to disease and a statement relating to cause of death.

Responsible for maintaining timely and accurate records.

Confers with prosecutors and police investigators regarding cases.

Oversees laboratory services.

Provides and maintains liaison activities with law enforcement, health agencies and other organizations.

Signs death and cremation certificates.

Conducts information/education programs for law enforcement personnel, hospital personnel and employees of funeral homes as to the operation and procedures of the Medical Examiner System.

Operates an automobile while performing assigned duties.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Graduate of a regularly chartered and legally constituted medical school or college, or osteopathic medical school or college
• Completed a training program in anatomic pathology accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or equivalent
• One year experience in the medical examiner and/or forensic field
  
  

Preferred Education And Experience

• Current certification in anatomic and forensic pathology by the American Board of Pathology or by the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology
  
  

Required Licenses Or Certifications

• Physician license and in good standing in the State of Michigan
• Must be Board Certified in anatomic and forensic pathology within 2 years of date of hire
• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and operable insured automobile for authorized travel
  
  

Knowledge Of

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

• Safety procedures when handling chemicals and related laboratory equipment
• Laws, codes and regulations pertaining to Forensic Pathology
• Current developments in the field of public health and private health care
• Principles and practices of public health administration
• Social determinants of health in Macomb County
• Applying public health theory and practices
  
  

Skill In

• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
• Assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments
• Effective written and verbal communication methods to conduct meetings and make group presentations
• Observing problems and analytically design solutions
• Managing and supervising employees to apply best industry standards and methods
  
  

Ability To

• Present evidence and findings in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing
• Compile statistics, decipher pertinent information, and present oral operational and other types of departmental reports to officials and other interested groups or individuals
• Organize and thoroughly document examinations performed
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrative, professional and support staff within the Health Department and with officials and staff of local, Federal and State government organizations and private organizations
• Cope with difficult and/or emergent situations requiring immediate decisions in accordance with Departmental policies and objectives
• Work in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity Campaign
• Effectively speak, write and understand the English language
• Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information
• Work independently
• Ability to conduct oneself with tact and courtesy
  
  

Work Environment/Conditions

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Work Environment

Office or similar indoor environment: F/C

Outdoor environment: O

Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S

Construction site: N/S

Confined space: O

Exposures

Individuals who are hostile or irate: O

Individuals with known violent backgrounds: O

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): F/C

Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): O

Communicable diseases: F/C

Moving mechanical parts: F/C

Fumes or airborne particles: F/C

Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: F/C

Loud noises (85 decibels): O

Blood Borne Pathogens: F/C

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Demand

Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: F/C

Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): F/C

Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms: F/C

Crawling (moving about on hands and knees). Inspecting in confined spaces: N/S

Digging: N/S

Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: O

Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: F/C

Kneeling to work at low levels: F/C

Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/C

Lift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another (covered by the items below):

Over 100 pounds: F/C

Push / Pull objects away from or towards the body: F/C

Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): F/C

Sitting in a seated position during the task performance: F/C

Standing in an upright position without movement: F/C

Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: F/C

Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: N/S

General Requirements And Disclaimers

Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.