Job Specification
ASSISTANT MEDICAL EXAMINER
UNCLASSIFIED:
N.J.S.A. 11A:3-4 (f)
N.J.S.A. 11A:3-5 (e)
N.J.S.A. 40A:9-47
DEFINITION:
Under the direction of the Chief State Medical Examiner, Deputy Chief
State Medical Examiner or other supervisory official in the Office of the
Chief State Medical Examiner, or in a county-operated facility, conducts
death investigations and performs examinations, including autopsies, to
determine the cause and manner of sudden, accidental, violent, or
suspicious deaths within the county; certifies the cause and manner of
death; does other related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes
only. A position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this
job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not
be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Reviews medical records, scene investigator reports, police reports and
other contributory information to determine jurisdiction, as well as cause
and manner of death.
When deemed necessary, attends the scene of death and records any
pertinent information which may have a bearing on the cause and manner
of death. Supervises the disinterment of bodies for subsequent autopsies.
Collects and retains evidence such as samples, specimens and tissues
necessary for analysis, examination and documentation as prescribed
by existing practices of forensic pathology.
Performs external examinations/autopsies of individuals who die under
sudden, violent, accidental, or suspicious circumstances and other cases
as outlined in the “Revised State Medical Examiner Act”, to determine the
cause and manner of death. Requests any ancillary tests as deemed
necessary for accurate work-up of cases.
Signs death certificates for those individuals who fall under the jurisdiction
of the office.
Reviews medicolegal investigators’ reports, toxicology findings, and
other reports to accurately determine of the cause and manner of
death.
Prepares and submits required reports of findings of autopsies and
investigations in a timely fashion.
Testifies in civil and criminal court or before a Grand Jury as to the
cause and manner of the death regarding cases that have been
investigated by the Medical Examiner's Office.
Participates in resident and medical student education. Assists with
the training of medicolegal death investigators, autopsy technicians,
law enforcement, and Prosecutor’s Office staff.
Assists in the development of policy and procedures to guide the
Medical Examiner's Office.
May assume direction of the department in the absence of Chief,
First Deputy Chief, Deputy Chief, or other supervisory official.
Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic
and/or manual recording and information systems used by the
agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION:
Graduation from an accredited School of Medicine with a degree
of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy.
TRAINING:
Completion of three (3) year Anatomic Pathology and one (1) year
Forensic training at accredited institutions. Successful completion
of a basic course conducted by the Office of the Chief State Medical
Examiner on the laws, rules and regulations relating to the New Jersey
Medical Examiner System. Successful completion of seven full days
of internship training at the New Jersey State Medical Examiner Office
or equivalent approved by said office.
CERTIFICATION:
Appointees may be required to possess board certification in Anatomic
Pathology through the American Board of Pathology or the American
Osteopathic Board of Pathology.
NOTE: Appointees will be required to obtain board certification in
Anatomic and Forensic Pathology within three (3) years of employment.
The inability to obtain the required certifications within this timeframe
may be cause for separation.
In a county-operated Medical Examiner’s Office only:
Appointees may be required to possess board certification in Forensic
Pathology through the American Board of Pathology or the American
Osteopathic Board of Pathology.
LICENSE:
Applicants must possess a valid license to practice medicine in the
State of New Jersey.
Appointees will be required to possess a valid New Jersey driver’s
license only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee
mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the “Revised State Medical Examiner Act” and other
NJ State Statutes concerning the investigation and certification of
death.
Knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies and processes of the
New Jersey Medical Examiner System.
Knowledge of the scientific and forensic principles, practices and
techniques used to prepare, examine, analyze and identify evidence.
Knowledge of investigative procedures and techniques necessary
to establish the circumstances, manner and cause of death for
individuals in custody of the medical examiner’s office.
Ability to perform post-mortem examinations and death scene
investigations.
Ability to determine and certify causes of death through the principles
of anatomic and forensic pathology.
Ability to effectively utilize laboratory testing equipment.
Ability to provide testimony and act as an expert witness in court
and grand jury proceedings.
Ability to prepare clear, sound and accurate reports containing
findings, conclusions and recommendations.
Ability to maintain essential records and files.
Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or
manual recording and information systems used by the agency,
office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in
English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American
Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable
forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can
perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable
accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because
it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may
not be eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code: | | Job
Spec
Code | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 00615 | | C | U | NL | 98 | 01 | P98 | - |
This job specification is for state and local government use.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.
3/28/2020 |
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