Title: Assistant Chief Medical Examiner- Western OCME
State Role Title: Physician II
Hiring Range: Negotiable based on experience up to $290,000
Pay Band: 8
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINR-WST
Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Virginia OCME is a statewide medical examiner system with four regional district offices encompassing 16 forensic pathologists and a Chief Medical Examiner.
The Western District of the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) that covers the western region of Virginia is seeking two (2) experienced forensic pathologists to join the staff of two (2) current forensic pathologists, making the total four (4) forensic pathologists. This office is one of only eleven in the country with its own CT scanner.
The Assistant Chief Medical Examiner’s (ACME) responsibilities include death investigations, postmortem exams, approximately 250 medicolegal autopsies per year, consultations with interested parties, court testimony, and supervision of staff, and other administrative oversight duties. The position advises/ supervises local medical examiners as a part of a 77-year-old statewide medical examiner system. Educational responsibilities include the instruction of forensic pathology fellows, medical students, public safety officers and others. The office has a relationship with three medical schools and multiple universities in Virginia. The pathologist will participate in educational, training and research activities and participate on committees. University appointment is anticipated with rank determined by qualifications. Occasional overnight travel may be required.
The Virginia OCME does not perform autopsies on Sundays and the office does not currently perform autopsies on Saturday.
ACME's must be licensed in Virginia to practice medicine. Forensic Pathologists accreditation of the medical examiner system by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) requires Board Certification in Anatomic and Forensic Pathology within two years of employment.
This position is based in Roanoke, Virginia in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are abundant outdoor activities with proximity to the Appalachian Trail and well-developed greenway system. Downtown Roanoke has a thriving arts and entertainment district, including the Taubman Museum of Art, Historic Market square with farmer’s market, Virginia Museum of Transportation, Mill Mountain Zoo and many restaurants. For more information about the Roanoke area, please visit https://www.virginia.org/places-to-visit/regions/virginia-mountains/roanoke/
This is an Open Until Filled Position and applications will be reviewed as they are received.
Minimum Qualifications
• Graduate of approved medical school, postgraduate training in anatomic and forensic pathology; certification as a specialist in forensic pathology by the American Board of Pathology; licensure to practice medicine in Virginia
• Completion of approved training program in forensic pathology; (at least one year of forensic experience).
• Ability to write and converse competently and clearly in the English language.
• Ability to get along with other professionals and community officials.
• Ability to communicate effectively as a teacher and a supervisor.
Additional Considerations
• Experience with medicolegal death investigations.
• Experience with testifying in court.
• Advanced training in cardiovascular pathology, neuropathology, pediatric pathology, law or
public health desirable.
• University appointment is anticipated with rank determined by qualifications.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.
Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or
completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.
It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and
pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!
Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.
Contact Information
Name: Amanda Collum
Phone: 804-864-8236
Email: amanda.collum@vdh.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.