City of Philadelphia – Department of Public Health
Performs specialized medical and forensic pathology work involving the investigation of sudden, violent, suspicious, and unexplained deaths. Determines the cause and manner of death, evaluates medical and investigative findings, and identifies circumstances that may involve criminal activity or negligence. Collaborates with law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals, government officials, and families under the general direction of a higher-level forensic pathologist.
Key Responsibilities
- • Perform specialized medical examinations to determine the cause and manner of death.
- • Investigate deaths involving violent, sudden, suspicious, or unexplained circumstances.
- • Apply anatomical and clinical pathology principles to medicolegal death investigations.
- • Evaluate medical records, investigative findings, and other relevant evidence.
- • Identify medical findings that may indicate criminal activity, trauma, or negligence.
- • Prepare accurate and comprehensive documentation of examination findings.
- • Collaborate with law enforcement agencies, hospitals, physicians, and government officials.
- • Communicate professionally and compassionately with families and other stakeholders.
- • Maintain professional standards, ethical practices, and confidentiality throughout investigations.
Required
- • Graduation from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
- • Completion of an internship at an approved hospital.
- • Possession of certification in Anatomic Pathology or combined Anatomic and Clinical Pathology issued by the American Board of Pathology.
- • An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered if determined acceptable by the City's Office of Human Resources and includes an MD or DO degree.
- • Employees with permanent Civil Service status before July 1, 2026, are exempt from the stated certification requirement.
- • Candidates must obtain a valid license to practice medicine or osteopathy in Pennsylvania within six months of appointment and maintain the license throughout employment.
- • Knowledge of anatomical and clinical pathology principles and practices.
- • Knowledge of forensic pathology and medicolegal death investigation procedures.
- • Knowledge of postmortem examination techniques and medical examination practices.
- • Knowledge of medical conditions, injuries, and circumstances contributing to death.
- • Knowledge of principles used to determine cause and manner of death.
- • Knowledge of medical documentation, evidence evaluation, and investigative procedures.
- • Skill in Forensic Pathology
- • Skill in Anatomic Pathology
- • Skill in Clinical Pathology
- • Skill in Autopsy and Postmortem Examination
- • Skill in Death Investigation
- • Skill in Histopathology
- • Skill in Medical Evidence Evaluation
- • Skill in Medical Documentation and Reporting
- • Skill in Critical Thinking and Analytical Reasoning
- • Skill in Interagency Communication and Collaboration
- • Ability to analyze complex medical and investigative information to reach sound conclusions.
- • Ability to apply specialized pathology knowledge in death investigations.
- • Ability to identify and interpret medical findings relevant to cause and manner of death.
- • Ability to communicate technical medical findings clearly and professionally.
- • Ability to work effectively with law enforcement, healthcare professionals, government agencies, and families.
- • Ability to exercise independent professional judgment while working under the direction of senior forensic pathology leadership.
- • Ability to perform duties in challenging environments while maintaining professionalism and accuracy.
Benefits & Perks
- • Comprehensive health insurance
- • Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- • Retirement benefits
- • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility
- • Professional development and career growth opportunities
- • The City of Philadelphia has waived the usual residency requirement for this position.
A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here.
With a workforce of over 30,000 people and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers opportunities to make a meaningful impact.
As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work.
What We Offer
- Impact: The work you do here matters to millions.
- Growth: Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
- Diversity & Inclusion: Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
- Benefits: We care about your well-being.
Agency Description
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health works to protect and promote the health of Philadelphia residents.
The Medical Examiner's Office conducts medicolegal death investigations to determine the cause and manner of deaths occurring under its jurisdiction, supporting public health, the justice system, and the families of deceased individuals.
Job Description
The Medical Examiner performs specialized medical and forensic pathology work involving the investigation of sudden, violent, suspicious, and unexplained deaths.
This position is responsible for determining the cause and manner of death, evaluating medical and investigative findings, and identifying circumstances that may involve criminal activity or negligence.
The position requires advanced knowledge of pathology principles, strong investigative judgment, and the ability to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals, government officials, and families.
Work is performed under the general direction of a higher-level forensic pathologist.
Essential Functions
- Perform specialized medical examinations to determine the cause and manner of death.
- Investigate deaths involving violent, sudden, suspicious, or unexplained circumstances.
- Apply anatomical and clinical pathology principles to medicolegal death investigations.
- Evaluate medical records, investigative findings, and other relevant evidence.
- Identify medical findings that may indicate criminal activity, trauma, or negligence.
- Prepare accurate and comprehensive documentation of examination findings.
- Collaborate with law enforcement agencies, hospitals, physicians, and government officials.
- Communicate professionally and compassionately with families and other stakeholders.
- Maintain professional standards, ethical practices, and confidentiality throughout investigations.
Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Anatomical and clinical pathology principles and practices.
- Forensic pathology and medicolegal death investigation procedures.
- Postmortem examination techniques and medical examination practices.
- Medical conditions, injuries, and circumstances contributing to death.
- Principles used to determine cause and manner of death.
- Medical documentation, evidence evaluation, and investigative procedures.
Skill in:
- Forensic Pathology
- Anatomic Pathology
- Clinical Pathology
- Autopsy and Postmortem Examination
- Death Investigation
- Histopathology
- Medical Evidence Evaluation
- Medical Documentation and Reporting
- Critical Thinking and Analytical Reasoning
- Interagency Communication and Collaboration
Ability to:
- Analyze complex medical and investigative information to reach sound conclusions.
- Apply specialized pathology knowledge in death investigations.
- Identify and interpret medical findings relevant to cause and manner of death.
- Communicate technical medical findings clearly and professionally.
- Work effectively with law enforcement, healthcare professionals, government agencies, and families.
- Exercise independent professional judgment while working under the direction of senior forensic pathology leadership.
- Perform duties in challenging environments while maintaining professionalism and accuracy.
Qualifications
Education
Graduation from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
Completion of an internship at an approved hospital.
Certification
Possession of certification in Anatomic Pathology or combined Anatomic and Clinical Pathology issued by the American Board of Pathology.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered if determined acceptable by the City's Office of Human Resources and includes an MD or DO degree.
Employees with permanent Civil Service status before July 1, 2026, are exempt from the stated certification requirement.
Licensure
Candidates must obtain a valid license to practice medicine or osteopathy in Pennsylvania within six months of appointment and maintain the license throughout employment.
Additional Information
The City of Philadelphia has waived the usual residency requirement for this position.
Applicants will be evaluated based on their documented education, training, and professional experience through the City's Civil Service examination process.
Benefits of Working for the City of Philadelphia
- Comprehensive health insurance
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Retirement benefits
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility
- Professional development and career growth opportunities
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