Associate Medical Examiner



Associate Medical Examiner

Salary

$185,515.20 - $235,144.00 Annually

Location

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week

Job Number

2021DB13396

Department

DPH - Public Health

Division

Prevention

Opening Date

05/06/2021

Closing Date

5/19/2021 12:00 AM Pacific

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines

Summary

This posting will be used to fill up to two positions

The King County Medical Examiner's Office (KCMEO) is seeking one to two Associate Medical Examiners. KCMEO operates under the administrative authority of Public Health - Seattle and King County and has been a National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) accredited office since 1978. The office is known for having low turnover. The office is located within a 12 year old facility situated on the campus of Harborview Medical Center near downtown Seattle, and was built to KCMEO specifications. KCMEO serves all of King County with a population of 2.2 million and geographical area of 2,131, square miles. King County and Seattle are diverse and culturally vibrant and offer an excellent array of dining, arts and entertainment venues, and is home to several sports teams, universities, and more. The surrounding region is known for its many outdoor pursuits such as skiing, hiking, white water rafting, diving, boating and so much more. 

The positions being offered are for Associate Medical Examiners to be filled by qualified forensic pathologists. We encourage those who are just now entering fellowships to apply, with the expectation that start dates can be delayed. These are full time positions with generous benefits. There is currently one Chief Medical Examiner and four Associate Medical Examiners, and this will expand by one associate for a total of five.
 
At this moment the office is staffed with five autopsy technicians, fourteen medicolegal death investigators, and administrative support personnel. We anticipate that each team will add one position in the next year.  The medicolegal death investigators respond to all death scenes, take photographs and obtain relevant medical and other  material that the pathologist may need to accurately process a case. The pathologists accompany the investigators to homicide and suspicious death scenes. The autopsy technicians are highly trained and experienced and work with the pathologists as a team.
 
In addition to performing complete forensic autopsies, pathologists testify in court and depositions, provide consultation for families, law enforcement, and attorneys, and participate in teaching medical students and residents. There is the opportunity for clinical faculty appointment in the University of Washington Department of Pathology, and pathologists are encouraged to conduct scholarly activities. KCMEO has a forensic pathology fellowship program accredited by ACGME and conducts weekly educational conferences that are accredited though the University of Washington School of Medicine for a maximum of 52 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.
 
Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants.
King County is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and we encourage people of color, women, veterans and people with disabilities to apply.
 
Work location: This position is located at the Medical Examiner's Office at 908 Jefferson Street, Seattle, Washington.
 
 Forms and Materials Required:

  • A complete King County Job Application. 
  • Responses to supplemental questions
  • Resume 
  • Cover Letter
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Providing the information only on the resume or cover letter will not be considered complete.

This positions is not represented
 
Contact: For questions about this recruitment, please email Debbie Baker, Human Resource Analyst at debbaker@kingcounty.gov.
   

Job Duties

  • Perform medicolegal investigations and approximately 250 complete forensic autopsies and reports according to NAME standards. 
  • Respond to scene investigations of homicides and suspicious deaths on a rotating call schedule of approximately one week per month. 
  • Testify in court and depositions and provide consultation for criminal justice agencies and families. 
  • Participate in educational activities for fellows, medical students, and residents. 
  • Review and approve requests for organ and tissue donation. 
  • Review and approve disposition authorizations and non-jurisdictional reports, participate and moderate weekly CME conferences, attend twice daily work rounds, weekly staff meetings, and quarterly mass fatality management and quality management meetings, and attend and present at journal club, and didactic lectures.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

  • Certification in Forensic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology, or, if you are currently in or about to begin your forensic pathology fellowship, you must attain this certification within 2 years of hire, and provide a clear plan/timeline. 
  • Attitude and ability to practice in accordance with the Mission Statement of KCMEO and practice guidelines of National Association of Medical Examiners. 
  • Washington State Medical License and Washington State Driver's License. 
  • Documentation of current BLS CPR certification with AED training required at time of job offer. CPR/AED Heartsaver courses do not meet this requirement.

Supplemental Information

  • This selection process may include, but is not limited to, evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, testing and interviewing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring 
  • Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions. 
  • Staff may be required to play a role as a first responder in the event of a Public Health emergency.

 NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • The selected candidate will be required to pass a background investigation. 
  • The selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment physical exam.
 
Applicants should be committed to working with diverse populations throughout King County to provide excellent customer service to a broad range of cultures, in accordance with the King County Equity and Social Justice Ordinance and the King County Strategic Plan.  This position supports and advances Community Health Services Division's values for fair and culturally competent service delivery, innovative, effective and efficient application of resources, building a culture of performance, and expanding opportunities to seek input, listen and respond to industry and residents.

Who We Are:   
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
 
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
 
 
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
 
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
 
New) Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement 
 As of October 18, 2021, most* King County employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by October 18th.   People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.  Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs.  Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
This directive applies to employees in the Executive branch*, the Assessor’s Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff’s Office, and the Executive Office.  

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Here are a few facts about Seattle, King County, and Washington state:
  • Most of Washington’s waters, mountains, and forests are protected by 3 national parks, 120 state parks, plus wilderness areas and preserves.
 
  • Seattle was the first city in the country to elect a woman mayor – Bertha Knight Landes –in 1926.
 
  • The Pike Place Market is the oldest operating farmer’s market in the country. It opened in 1907.
 
  • Washington is the 2nd largest wine producing state in the country.
 
  • Sports teams include the 4 time WNBA champion Seattle Storm, the 2 time MLS champion Seattle Sounders, the 1 time NFL champion Seattle Seahawks, and the Seattle Mariners.
 
  • Within 1 hour of Seattle you can do all of the following: hiking, kayaking, mushroom hunting, fishing, boating, skiing, water skiing, biking, climbing, golfing, windsurfing, white water rafting, and all kinds of other things.

 

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being.  Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
  • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
  • Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
  • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
  • 12 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite gyms and activity centers
  • Employee giving program
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
  • Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits please visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy.  If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.  Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
 
NOTE:  Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
 
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01
Are you currently certified in anatomic and forensic pathology?
  • Yes
  • No
02
If you are not yet certified in forensic pathology, please describe your plan and timeline for attaining certification.
03
Are you applying to this position as an eligible Current or Previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
  • Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County AND I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. AND The position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
  • No.
04
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff

Required Question

Agency
King County
Address
King Street Center
201 South Jackson Street
Seattle, Washington, 98104
Phone
206-477-3404