CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER - POST MORTEM

9990

Maryland Department of Health, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Baltimore, MD

Established in 1939 as the nation’s first statewide medical examiner system, the acclaimed OCME of Maryland is a supportive agency with a strong institutional culture and a commitment to excellence. Serving 6 million residents throughout the State of Maryland, the OCME is NAME accredited and has been continuously for 30 years. The legislature and administration are deeply committed to maintaining this accreditation. In support of this accreditation, the legislature spent $54 million in 2009 on the construction of the stand-alone 120,000 OCME facility located on the University of Maryland’s medical campus. The office is well equipped with updated technology that includes CT and LODOX® imaging, a histology laboratory, and an in-house toxicology laboratory that maintains an approximate 1 week turn around time. 

The OCME is staffed with 91 full-time in house staff and 111 part-time staff. The forensic pathology team includes the Chief Medical Examiner, two Deputy Chief Medical Examiners, 16 Assistant Medical Examiners and 6 ACGME accredited fellowship positions. 

Death scene investigations are performed by the forensic investigative team, comprised of seventeen Baltimore City forensic investigators located on-site at the OCME, and eighty-nine county forensic investigators. The forensic pathologists are supported by 15 autopsy assistants. 

The OCME has multiple consultants including neuropathology, eye pathology, cardiovascular pathology, radiology, odontology, and anthropology. Other specialist services are available through a partnership with the University of Maryland Medical System and The Johns Hopkins Hospital. 

The OCME assists in training pathology residents from six local programs and supports the rotations of medical students and pathology assistant students. 

The Maryland OCME houses the celebrated Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, which are teaching dioramas created by forensics pioneer Frances Glessner Lee. These dioramas are recreated “crime scenes” in miniature that are still utilized as a training tool for detectives. Just down the hall is their life-sized counterpart, the Scarpetta House. This one large room holds a simulation of a five room home, including outside area that is used to train forensic investigators by staging death scenes. 

Described as “America in miniature,” Maryland has varied geography; mountains in the west to the ocean in the east, from rural communities to urban centers, ensuring a stimulating variety of interesting cases to investigate. 

Maryland is ideally situated in the Mid-Atlantic area, easily accessible to Philadelphia, New York, and the District of Columbia, and features superb quality of life options, attractions, and activities. Affectionately known as Charm City, Baltimore is a culturally diverse community with professional sports teams, museums, fine dining and ethnic cuisine, live musical and theatrical performances, and a variety of cultural institutions. Maryland is a great place to raise a family, with excellent school systems, colleges and universities. An abundance of varying housing is available from downtown waterfront condos to suburban and rural settings all within a reasonable commute, however, there is no requirement for OCME employees to reside in the state. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Directs the overall operation of the office including establishment of policies, processes and standards of performance 
• Supervises deputy chief and assistant medical examiners 
• Reviews daily case investigations and evaluations 
• Performs as well as supervises autopsies 
• Determines medical examiner jurisdictions
• Testifies in civil and criminal cases 
• Explains autopsy results and findings to families, physicians and third parties 
• Maintains an active role in teaching new forensic pathologists, residents and fellows 
• Provides impartial
reviews and consultations of requested internal cases Prepares and manages
• oversight of OCME budget 
• Reviews legislative bills that impact the function of the OCME 
• Functions as department liaison and coordinates department activities with other county departments and/or local, state and federal government agencies 
• Serves as spokesperson for the office through participation in professional and community activities and maintaining proper relations with press and media 
• Stays abreast of changes in County, State and Federal laws, rules, procedures and regulations to ensure that the Department is in compliance with all external regulations and laws relating to the operation of the Medical Examiner’s Office 
• Must be available twenty-four hours a day, seven day per week to conduct investigations to determine the cause of death presumably due to an unlawful act, violence, casualties or by sudden and unusual circumstances
  

• Qualified candidates must possess a degree in medicine from an accredited college or university (M.D. or D.O.)
• Must be board certified in anatomic and forensic pathology by the American Board of Pathology at the time of appointment and must maintain certification while holding the title
• Must possess Maryland medical licensure or be eligible for medical licensure in Maryland
• Qualified candidates must also possess senior level management or comparable experience in the field of Forensic Pathology
  

• Knowledge of the rules, local regulations, agency policies and procedures of the OCME
• Leadership and practical skills in fiscal and budgetary management
• Experience maintaining an exceptional level of quality assurance
• Knowledge of professional standards in forensic pathology
• Experience coordinating and managing different departments
• Proven skill in working in a fast- paced environment
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to establish effective working relationships
• Experience handling high profile cases
• Experience working with interdisciplinary agencies (law enforcement, health care professionals, legal professionals, funeral homes, and government officials)
• Operate with integrity and respect for colleagues
• Strong interpersonal skills with successful management of conflict resolution
• Successful team builder
• Effectively maximize personnel resources
• Commitment to expectations of professionalism and excellence from staff
• Maintain focus under pressure
• Approach change positively

This is an Executive level position as serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.  A resume must accompany your application.

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable. For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview). 

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. 

Incorrect application forms will not be accepted. 

Candidates may remain on the certified eligible list for a period of at least one year. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

• Full medical, vision, dental, and prescription benefits (including children up to the age of 26)
• Flex spending Accounts, Deferred Compensation, State Pension
• Annual, Personal, Holiday, Sick and Compensatory Time leave
• Life insurance, Long and Short Term Disability, Accidental Death Benefits
• Free parking at the facility
• Free Light Rail and bus transportation for State of Maryland Employees
• In house research opportunities
• Adjunct faculty positions and research opportunities at the University of Maryland Medical School and Graduate School and other Universities with access to their facilities

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application (and supplemental questionnaire) may be submitted to MDH, Recruitment and Selection Division, 201 W. Preston St., Room 114-B, Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received by 5 pm, close of business, on the closing date for the recruitment, no postmarks will be accepted.

If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload.  If you are unable to upload, please fax the requested information to 410-333-5689. Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the MDH Recruitment and Selection Division at 410-767-1251.

If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov. 

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling: 410-767-1251 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.