Title: Assistant Medical Examiner - Tidewater District

State Role Title: Physicians and Surgeons

Hiring Range: $235,000 - $305,000 commensurate with experience

Pay Band: 8

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER-TDWT

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 Tidewater District of the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) that covers the eastern region of Virginia is seeking one (1) experienced forensic pathologist to join the staff of two (2) current forensic pathologists, making a total of three (3) forensic pathologists. This location also has one (1) forensic pathologists’ assistant on staff to support the forensic pathologists.

The Assistant Medical Examiner’s responsibilities include death investigations, postmortem exams, approximately 250 medicolegal autopsies per year, consultations with interested parties, court testimony, and supervision of staff, and other administrative oversight duties. The position advises/ supervises local medical examiners as a part of a 77-year-old statewide medical examiner system. 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 appointments are anticipated with rank determined by qualifications. Occasional overnight travel may be required. The Virginia OCME does not perform autopsies on Sundays. This particular office does not currently perform autopsies on Saturdays. Assistant Medical Examiners 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. The candidate will be eligible for an annual $2,500 allowance to attend conferences for work. Eligible candidates are also eligible for up to $10,000 sign on bonus or up to 80 hours of annual leave loaded.

This is an Open Until Filled Position and applications will be reviewed as they are received.

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)
• Ability to write and converse competently and clearly in the English language
• Ability to get along with other professionals and community officials
• Ability to communicate effectively as a teacher and a supervisor

Additional Considerations

• Experience with medicolegal death investigations
• Experience with testifying in court
• Advanced training in cardiovascular pathology, neuropathology, pediatric pathology, law or public health is desirable
• University appointment is anticipated with rank determined by qualifications

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. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to
the 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 for further consideration

This recruitment may qualify for exceptional recruitment and incentive options, including a sign on bonus or a leave grant, which may be offered with a 1-year tenure agreement.

Contact Information

Name: Deja Fontenot

Phone: Please email for questions

Email: deja.fontenot@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.