Responsibilities

Housed in newly built facilities, the PMEO handles approximately 1600 autopsies per year. The PMEO has an in-house toxicology laboratory and ready access to consultants in neuropathology, pediatric pathology, anthropology, radiology, and odontology.

Job duties include:

Reviewing reports of deaths received from hospitals, private physicians, and police and determining jurisdiction of cases
Determining the need and extent of postmortem examination
Directing the activities of autopsy technicians in preparing bodies for autopsy
Performing autopsies and obtaining specimens for laboratory analysis
Examining wounds on decedents
Directing the photographing of the body prior to, during and subsequent to the postmortem examination
Making microscopic examinations of specimens
Determining the cause and manner of death
Preparing reports of findings
Reviewing current literature in the field as necessary to assist in formulating decisions
Testifying in court as an expert witness

Pathologists in our office do not routinely respond to death scenes but may do so in very unusual cases.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy with a degree of Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy
Board certification by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology; or a minimum of 5 years of experience in forensic pathology
Board certification by the American Board of Pathology in Forensic Pathology entitles the successful applicant to a salary increase (see “Compensation” below).

Current trainees in forensic pathology fellowships are encouraged to apply (note: applicants who are current trainees still must meet the above certification requirements).

A Pennsylvania medical license is not necessary at the time of application; however, possession of a valid Pennsylvania medical license is required prior to appointment.

Compensation

Salary with FP board certification: $293,489

Salary with AP or AP/CP board certification, or with 5 years’ experience in forensic pathology (no FP board certification): $274,289

Compensation also includes access to the City’s health, dental, and vision insurance plans; enrollment in the city's pension plan; and optional enrollment in the city's deferred compensation program.

How to apply

Contact:

Lindsay Simon
Chief Medical Examiner
Lindsay.simon@phila.gov