Job Details for 2329 - EO Chief Forensic Pathologist
Job Description
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
GRADE: 317
POSITION
SUMMARY
Under administrative direction; performs work of an advanced
degree of specialization; performing autopsies to determine the cause and
manner of death in situations falling under the jurisdiction of the DuPage
County Coroner’s Office; performs related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
An employee in this class must be
a board certified forensic pathologist in order to conduct autopsies and other
related duties as required by the Illinois Revised Statutes. Deaths requiring
an autopsy include, but are not limited to, violent deaths such as homicides,
accidents, and suicides. Administrative direction is received from the DuPage
County Coroner. Supervision is provided to contractual staff that assists with
the autopsy process.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only, and is not a
comprehensive listing of all the duties and responsibilities performed by
positions in this class.
• Performs autopsies to determine the
cause of death using prescribed medical and forensic procedures as directed by
the Coroner
• Performs external examinations of bodies that do not
require full autopsies
• Prepares comprehensive reports on post-mortem
examinations, including statements regarding cause or probable cause of death
in a timely manner
• Meets with police, state’s attorney, or public
defender regarding cases in order to discuss autopsy findings
• Obtains
specimens (e.g. blood, vitreous, urine, etc.) from decedent and forwards to
toxicologists for analysis of drugs, alcohol, or other causes of death
•
Reviews medical records of decedents
• Consults with toxicologists
regarding the interpretation of toxicology results
• Establishes and
maintains an appropriate quality assurance and quality control program
•
Responds to a scene, as required, in order to make visual examination of a
body while it is still in the setting of the scene
• Communicates with
family members or their representatives to explain the findings
• Serves
as an expert witness in the court of law, testifying in a variety of civil and
criminal cases that involve death
• Organizes and maintains schedules of
on call pathology physicians
• Keeps up-to-date with trends, issues,
regulations and technology applicable to forensic pathology
• Recommends
hires and promotions, directs, evaluates and appeals of employment decisions
for all assigned positions
• Maintains regular attendance and
punctuality
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•
Adjusts work assignment or schedule in the event of an emergency to
participate in emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities as
assigned.
• Depending on assignment, may require emergency management
training, licensure or certifications.
• Performs related duties as
required or assigned within job classification.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each
essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are
representative of the knowledge, skill, and /or ability required. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
essential functions.
Comprehensive Knowledge of:
• The field
of forensic pathology
• The regulations and standards to be followed
when conducting and documenting autopsies
• The Illinois Revised Statutes
governing the work performed by the Coroner’s Department
• Management
and leadership principles
• Current Coroner’s Office practices,
procedures, and equipment
• County policies and procedures
•
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or
statutes
Comprehensive Skill in:
• Conducting post-mortem
examinations
• Presenting evidence and findings in a clear and concise
manner
• Applying safety procedures when handing chemicals and other lab
equipment
• Analyzing problems and recommending solutions
•
Planning, organizing and scheduling work
• Planning, scheduling and
supervising the work of others
• Using computer hardware and software
including work processing, spreadsheets, databases,
email, etc.
•
Applying an acquired knowledge of procedures, rules, regulations, and services
of office to which
assigned
Ability to:
• Manage
projects and multiple priorities simultaneously
• Establish and maintain
effective working relationships with department and division staff, other
departments and others, such as vendors
• Ensure compliance with
applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations and statutory
requirements
• Convey excellent oral and written communication
•
Work effectively under stress
• Maintain confidentiality
• Monitor
and evaluate employees
• Prioritize and assign work
• Analyze
problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed
actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals
• Plan,
organize, manage and evaluate the work of the division to ensure efficient,
timely and cost-effective services
• Plan, analyze, and evaluate
programs and services, operational needs, and fiscal constraints
•
Provide leadership to effectively resolve issues
SUPERVISORY
RESPONSIBILITIES
Exercises supervision of personnel in related area of
responsibility.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
This position
requires a current license to practice medicine in the state of Illinois,
completion of a forensic pathology fellowship and three years of
post-fellowship experience in forensic pathology; or, an equivalent combination
of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential
duties of the job such as those listed above.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must
be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the
job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Heavy Work: The
employee is frequently required to use hands and / or arms to perform
examinations. Exerting up to 100 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull or
otherwise move objects, including the human body.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative
of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of
this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work will occur
in an office and field environment. Will work in an environment with highly
emotional situations. While performing the duties and responsibilities the
employee will be exposed to loud noise, noxious odors, unsanitary conditions,
hazardous materials such as chemicals, biohazards, and with fumes or airborne
particles, electricity, moving mechanical parts, varying weather conditions,
and other related conditions and situations. The position is subject to 24/7
call out for some crime scenes as determined by the responding investigators.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
This position requires
being a board certified forensic pathologist, or the ability to receive board
certification within two years of hire date. This certification shall fall
under the jurisdiction of the American Board of Pathology in Forensic
Pathology.