Job Details for 2329 - EO Chief Forensic Pathologist

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.