GovernmentJobs.com
Deputy Medical Examiner
The main role of the Montana Medical Examiner's Office, a section in the Montana Department of Justice's Forensic Science Division, is to support the county coroners in the state of Montana with autopsies, consultation, and education. While each of the 56 Montana county coroner's offices are the primary agency responsible for death investigation in their respective county, handling all scene investigation and direct communication regarding the death with families, law enforcement, and other interested parties, the medical examiners can assume jurisdiction on any death if necessary. The Forensic Science Division and Montana Medical Examiner's office provide support for the entire state through two locations: Missoula, MT (main office) and Billings, MT (satellite office). When fully staffed, the medical examiner's office has one chief medical examiner (located in Billings) and three deputy medical examiners (two in Missoula and one in Billings). The Deputy Medical Examiner will perform less than the NAME (National Association of Medical Examiners) allowed number of autopsies per year (for reference, in 2024, the Chief Medical Examiner performed 299 autopsies, and the three Deputy Medical Examiners averaged 180 autopsies each; however, caseloads can fluctuate). With rare exceptions at the discretion of the pathologist, autopsies are not performed on weekends or holidays. In addition to autopsies, the Deputy Medical Examiner will provide consultation and education to the coroners, assist with continued accreditation efforts as necessary, and present autopsy findings in court, both criminal court and coroner inquests. A medical degree from an accredited school and a license to practice medicine in Montana Board certification in Anatomic and Forensic Pathology, or acquisition of board certification within two years of hire, and with maintenance of certification Additional certification or training in a relevant sub-specialty of pathology (e.g., neuropathology, pediatric pathology, or cardiac pathology), or a related forensic field (e.g., anthropology) is desirable but not necessary.
The main role of the Montana Medical Examiner's Office, a section in the Montana Department of Justice's Forensic Science Division, is to support the county coroners in the state of Montana with autopsies, consultation, and education. While each of the 56 Montana county coroner's offices are the primary agency responsible for death investigation in their respective county, handling all scene investigation and direct communication regarding the death with families, law enforcement, and other interested parties, the medical examiners can assume jurisdiction on any death if necessary. The Forensic Science Division and Montana Medical Examiner's office provide support for the entire state through two locations: Missoula, MT (main office) and Billings, MT (satellite office). When fully staffed, the medical examiner's office has one chief medical examiner (located in Billings) and three deputy medical examiners (two in Missoula and one in Billings). The Deputy Medical Examiner will perform less than the NAME (National Association of Medical Examiners) allowed number of autopsies per year (for reference, in 2024, the Chief Medical Examiner performed 299 autopsies, and the three Deputy Medical Examiners averaged 180 autopsies each; however, caseloads can fluctuate). With rare exceptions at the discretion of the pathologist, autopsies are not performed on weekends or holidays. In addition to autopsies, the Deputy Medical Examiner will provide consultation and education to the coroners, assist with continued accreditation efforts as necessary, and present autopsy findings in court, both criminal court and coroner inquests. A medical degree from an accredited school and a license to practice medicine in Montana Board certification in Anatomic and Forensic Pathology, or acquisition of board certification within two years of hire, and with maintenance of certification Additional certification or training in a relevant sub-specialty of pathology (e.g., neuropathology, pediatric pathology, or cardiac pathology), or a related forensic field (e.g., anthropology) is desirable but not necessary.