Title: Deputy Chief Medical Examiner - ME068

State Role Title: Physician Manager I

Hiring Range: $320,000 - $340,000

Pay Band: 8A

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER-CENTRAL

Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/medical-examiner/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia OCME is a statewide medical examiner system with four regional district offices encompassing 16 forensic pathologists and a Chief Medical Examiner.

The Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is seeking an experienced forensic pathologist to join the staff as part of its state leadership team, which is located in Richmond, VA.

The Deputy Chief Medical Examiner (DCME) is responsible for providing and coordinating senior level case review and sub-specialty consultation services statewide for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, including developing and/or maintaining a statewide forensic pathology sub-specialty such as forensic neuropathology or forensic cardiovascular pathology as well as a centralized histology laboratory. Serves as senior consultant to governmental, law enforcement and other officers of the court, and the public regarding the medical examiner system.

As a senior member of the OCME state leadership team, this position will work with the team to develop strategic and operational policies to assure compliance with legal and professional standards, regulations and practices pertaining to postmortem examinations and medicolegal autopsies.

This position may assist the Chief Medical Examiner in the direction of activities of the office, including statewide and regional field operations/staff, the local medical examiners, and autopsy services. This position will act as the Chief Medical Examiner and assume all delegated roles in the absence of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Educational responsibilities include the instruction of forensic pathology fellows, medical students, public safety officers and others. The office has a relationship with three medical schools and multiple universities in Virginia. The pathologist will participate in educational, training and research activities and participate on committees. University appointment is anticipated with rank determined by qualifications. Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Must be licensed in Virginia to practice medicine. Forensic Pathologists’ accreditation of the medical examiner system by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) requires Board Certification in Anatomic and Forensic Pathology within two years of employment.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

· Graduate of approved medical school, postgraduate training in anatomic and forensic pathology; certification as a specialist in forensic pathology by the American Board of Pathology.
· Licensure to practice medicine in Virginia
· Completion of approved training program in forensic pathology (at least one year of forensic experience).
· Board certification in Anatomic and Forensic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology.
· Board certified in forensic pathology sub-specialty, such as neuropathology or cardiovascular pathology
· Ability to write and converse competently and clearly in the English language.
· Ability to effectively and collaboratively work and communicate with range of staff and positions within OCME as well as other professionals and community officials.
· Able to communicate effectively as a teacher and a supervisor by advising and instructing staff, fellows, residents, medical students. May conduct classes for agencies, death investigators, health professionals, and others upon request.
· Knowledge of forensic pathology and forensic science, professional activities of a statewide medical examiner system, management, policy development and execution, budget, and the legislative processes.
· Advanced training in a forensic sub-specialty, such as forensic neuropathology and/or cardiovascular and demonstrated an ability to improve such skills and experience.
· Ability to provide sub-specialty diagnostic information, such as neuropathology or cardiovascular, in a timely fashion with relevant emphasis on medicolegal issues, and appropriately to the medicolegal context.
· Ability to use good safety practices and precautions including the use of personal protective gear.
· Strong verbal and written communication skills.
· Valid driver's license.

Additional Considerations

· Experience with medicolegal death investigations.
· Experience testifying in court.
· Advanced training in pediatric pathology, law or public health desirable.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Contact Information

Name: A. Collum

Phone: 804-864-8236

Email: amanda.collum@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.