Assistant Medical Examiner

Assistant Medical ExaminerThe Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community.To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings.To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.The Assistant Medical Examiner conducts medicolegal death investigations pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 49.25, including external examination of decedents as well as complete and partial autopsies, with appropriate evidence collection; provides testimonial evidence in court regarding medicolegal death investigations and evidence collected from bodies; and teaches trainees (forensic pathology fellows, pathology residents, medical residents, medical students, nursing students) about various aspects of medicolegal death investigation.Conducts and completes medicolegal death investigations pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 49.25, including performing autopsies and external examinations of decedents; collecting histologic, toxicologic, and physical evidence; interpreting gross anatomic pathology and microscopic pathology; interpreting toxicologic results; reviewing and synthesizing of medical records and police reports; crafting timely and thorough autopsy reports; and signing death certificates on a timely basisProvides expert testimony in criminal and civil court matters relating to medicolegal death investigations (including substitute testimony for other Assistant Medical Examiners who may not be available for testimony); prepares for testimony by attending depositions and pretrial conferences with prosecutor, plaintiff, and defense attorneys as neededParticipates in ongoing quality assurance and quality improvement activities within the Pathology Division, including regular attendance at daily case assignment and review conferences, and weekly quality assurance and consensus conferencesIs fully engaged in teaching activities at the Department including mentoring forensic pathology fellows, supervising medical residents, and providing guidance to medical students, nursing students, and other trainees, including providing direct supervision and instruction in autopsy performance as well as providing instructional presentations and lecturesParticipates in administrative aspects of the medical examiner operation, including weekly administrative meetings, and performing other tasks as required (participation in regular review / revision of standard operating procedures, participation in various accreditation preparation activities)Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), or Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)Licensed to practice medicine in the state of Texas by the date of employmentCertification by the American Board of Pathology in anatomic pathology by the date of employmentMaintain a valid Texas Driver's License and ability to safely operate a motor vehicleExpertise in forensic pathology, general anatomic pathology, and broad foundational knowledge of other medical and surgical specialtiesAbility to communicate effectively with lay, technical, medical, and legal audiences; ability to provide empathetic consultation with family members of decedents, dictate autopsy findings, edit autopsy reports, and provide testimony as required in civil and criminal proceedingsMust be able to calmly, effectively, and convincingly express complex analytical conclusions and medical decisions in adversarial situationsExcellent time management skills, strategies, and abilities; ability to work independently with minimal supervision, prioritizing and handling multiple tasks simultaneouslyBasic computer skills including Microsoft OfficeLocation: Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences - 1861 Old Spanish Trail Houston, TX 77054Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work: Full time; Monday-Friday, plus weekend and holiday rotation. Consistently requires > 40 hours per week. Hours may vary based on needs of Department. Must be available to work during severe weather events or other emergencies if necessaryWork Environment: Morgue / office setting. Routine exposure to deaths of adults and children that resulted from violence, natural disease, environmental hazards, and toxins. Will be exposed to biohazardous materials and offensive odorsPhysical Demands: Medium work. Requires physical strength to push, pull, and lift up to 20 pounds frequently and repeatedly. Must be physically able to stand for extended periods. Must be able to effectively don and doff appropriate personal protective equipment (including N95 mask, gown, face protection, as well as self-contained breathing apparatus as required), and be able to wear personal protective gear for extended periods (hours) while conducting intricate postmortem examinationsAdditional Information: Reports To: Deputy Chief Medical Examiner. FLSA Status: Exempt. Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:Medical CoverageDental CoverageVision CoverageWellness PlanLife InsuranceLong-Term Disability (LTD) InsuranceEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Healthcare Flexible Spending AccountDependent Care Flexible Spending AccountPaid Time Off (PTO)Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)Eleven (11) County-observed holidaysOne (1) floating holiday per yearPaid Parental Leave*Sick LeaveRetirement Savings Benefit457 Deferred Compensation PlanThe following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:Professional learning & development opportunitiesRetirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)Flexible work schedule*METRO RideSponsor Program** Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website: www.benefitsathctx.com