Associate Medical Examiner



Associate Medical Examiner

Salary

$201,718.40 - $255,694.40 Annually

Location

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week

Job Number

2022SD17598

Department

DPH - Public Health

Division

Prevention

Opening Date

12/13/2022

Closing Date

4/27/2023 8:03 AM Pacific

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines

Summary

This position will remain open until filled, with first review of applications, Monday, January 30, 2023. 

The King County Medical Examiner's Office (KCMEO) is seeking an Associate Medical Examiner. 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 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 2.25 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.

This Associate Medical Examiner position will be filled by qualified a forensic pathologist. We encourage those who are still in their fellowship year to apply, with the expectation that start dates can be delayed until you are board certified. This is a full-time position with vacation leave and full benefits. Under the direction and supervision of the Chief Medical Examiner, there are currently five Associate Medical Examiners and two Fellows, this position will bring the number of Associate Medical Examiners to six.
 
At this moment the office is staffed with six autopsy technicians, sixteen medicolegal death investigators, administrative support personnel, and staff for our real time overdose surveillance. The medicolegal death investigators respond to death scenes and collect relevant medical and other records and 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 and views, 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.

Commitment to Equity and Social Justice:
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
 
We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
 
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. To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity  

Job Duties

Under the direction of the Chief Medical Examiner:

  • Perform medicolegal investigations and approximately 250-325 complete forensic autopsies an additional number of views, and complete reports according to NAME standards. 
  • Respond to scene investigations of homicides and suspicious deaths on a rotating call schedule of approximately one week of every 6 weeks.
  • Testify in court and depositions and provide consultation for criminal justice agencies and families. 
  • Participate in educational activities for fellows, medical students, and residents. 
  • Supervise fellows on some cases.
  • 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

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:

  • Certification in Forensic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology, or, if you are currently a forensic pathology fellow, you must attain this certification within 1 years of hire, and demonstrate a clear plan/timeline of how you will accomplish this. 
  • 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 or ability to obtain prior to hire. 
  • Documentation of current BLS CPR certification with AED training required at time of job offer. CPR/AED Heartsaver courses do not meet this requirement.
 DESIRED EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS: 
  • Additional certifications (such as Neuropathology)
  • Experience with pediatric pathology, public health, epidemiology, chemistry or toxicology, mass fatality management, education, jurisprudence, or other death investigation
 

Supplemental Information

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.

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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

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.
 
APPLICATION PROCESS: The following completed items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

  • NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line
  • Completed supplemental questions that are supported in your application. These answers will be reviewed to determine competitiveness. Please do not use "see resume" in your answers as these will be considered incomplete.
  • Attach CV, resume, cover letter if you wish.
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the required information in the application. If you reference "see resume" on your application it will be considered incomplete. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience. The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring 

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • The selected candidate will be required to submit a background check. Records are not automatically disqualifying.
  • Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
  • Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WIS HA guidelines including but not limited to completing required trainings on time.
  • The selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment physical exam.
  • Staff may be required to play a role as a first responder in the event of a Public Health emergency.
Work location: This position is located at the Medical Examiner's Office at 908 Jefferson Street, Seattle, Washington.

WORK SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday 7:30-4:00 plus every 6 weeks you will be the duty pathologist. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. Public Health - Seattle & King County strives to be accessible to those we serve. This position may require flexibility to accommodate different work schedules and work locations. These positions participate in the Section's response during outbreaks, emergencies and mass fatalities.

UNION AFFILIATION: These positions are not represented by a labor union. 

CONTACT:  For questions about this recruitment, please contact Sarah Dunkinson, sdunkinson@kingcounty.gov
 

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 OR are you currently in forensic pathology fellowship?
  • 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? 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? 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. Additionally, 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