What are the daily responsibilities of a medical examiner?
What are the daily responsibilities of a medical examiner?
The job of a medical examiner includes:
- Investigating sudden and unnatural deaths.
- Performing forensic medicine and pathology consultations.
- Counseling families regarding the manners and causes of death.
- Testifying in courts regarding autopsies and the results of the autopsies.
What are the working conditions for a medical examiner?
They work for government agencies, medical schools, morgues, and hospitals. Off-site work is often required for medical examiners, including travel to provide testimony in courtrooms, consult with CSI examiners at police stations or crime scenes, and advise on abnormal autopsy findings in laboratories.
What challenges do medical examiners face?
Summary. In 2015, medical examiners face continuing problems in funding for vitally needed equipment, personnel, and infrastructure. In addition, they face additional regulatory burdens from their specialty board, accreditation organization, and the federal government.
What personal characteristics are necessary for success as a medical examiner?
Skills
- Critical thinking: Medical examiners rely on their critical thinking skills to analyze evidence and draw the most probable conclusions about the cause of death, time of death and other elements of crime scenes.
- Attention to detail: Medical examiners must closely examine crime scenes and bodies.
What are the benefits of being a medical examiner?
Benefits
- Compensation.
- Health & Well-being.
- Health Care Coverage.
- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
- Employee Assistance Program and Work-Life Assistance Program.
- Onsite Fitness Center & Wellness Programming.
- Financial Well-being.
- Retirement Income Plan.
Why would a medical examiner be called?
A medical examiner is a physician appointed by law to determine the cause and manner of death of persons who dies under specific circumstances as defined by law. Deaths under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner are called medical examiner cases.
What’s the job description of a medical examiner?
Performing autopsies to determine the cause of death. Undertaking examinations of specimens, tissues, organs, fluids, and blood to determine abnormalities that may have resulted in death. Investigating sudden and/or unnatural deaths, in conjunction with law enforcement, when needed.
How long does it take to become a medical examiner?
Medical Examiners must complete several years of higher education, ending with becoming an M.D. or D.O. This can take 15 years; students must first complete a four-year bachelor’s degree, then attend medical school for another four years and then complete residency, which can take up to seven years.
Who is the director of Forensic Science for the medical examiner?
A Medical Examiner typically reports to the Director of Forensic Science or the Forensic Science Laboratory Director. The Direct of Forensic Science oversees a team of forensic professionals, including the Medical Examiner, and ensure they have the correct supplies to test and store evidence.