This is highly responsible executive level work in assisting in planning, organizing and directing the complex scientific and administrative operations of the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department.

An employee in this class is responsible for assisting the Medical Examiner in the management of departmental activities and operations in forensic medicine in accordance with local, state and federal statutes and regulations. Responsibilities include performing work of staff pathologist; preparing autopsy protocols and microscopic reports; planning, coordinating and performing medical research; resolving forensic problems and medical examiner cases; planning and supervising the Residency Training Program in Forensic Pathology, including annual recruitment of forensic pathology students; developing administrative and procedural guidelines for the department; analyzing and coordinating departmental budgetary process; analyzing and conducting quality control for the department. The incumbent exercises extensive independent judgment and professional knowledge of medicine and forensic pathology in directing County medical examiner activities in compliance with established regulations. Supervision is exercised over professional, technical, administrative and clerical employees with assigned responsibilities in various phases of operations. General direction is received from the Medical Examiner who holds the incumbent responsible for the professional management and achievement of departmental goals and objectives.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Assists the Medical Examiner in the management of various medical, educational, administrative and community activities and special projects of the Medical Examiner Department.

Plans, coordinates and performs medical research; resolves forensic problems and medical examiner cases for staff.

Acts in the absence of the Medical Examiner as required.

Performs work of staff pathologist; prepares autopsy protocols and microscopic reports; conducts and/or attends various weekly in-house scientific conferences.

Plans and supervises the Residency Training Program in Forensic Pathology, including annual recruitment of forensic pathology residents.

Develops administrative and procedural guidelines for the Medical Examiner Department; performs and/or analyzes quality control for the department; plans various divisional projects to improve service and efficiency levels.

Analyzes and coordinates departmental budgetary process; coordinating funds obtained from U.S. Department of Justice and Treasury Asset Sharing Program.

Plans, supervises and analyzes daily and future workload of the Pathology Division; schedules autopsy/scene assignments for forensic pathologists.

Coordinates maintenance and improvement projects for the department's building with General Services Administration.

Coordinates and approves various personnel issues; plans for future personnel placements.

Coordinates high profile media contacts for departments; coordinates with contractual services for forensic odontologist, anthoropologist and neuropathologist.

Maintains communications with other County agencies, State Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office, U.S. Attorney's Office, law enforcement agencies and the general public.

Acts as liaison with the Florida Medical Examiners Commission; formulates departmental position with regard to legislative issues and works with County staff as required.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Extensive knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of medicine, and anatomic, clinical and forensic pathology.

Extensive knowledge of the mission, goals and objectives of the department in providing forensic medical services for the citizens of Dade County and various law enforcement, health and other agencies.

Extensive knowledge chemistry, physics, police science, police investigations, and legal requirements related to medical examiner operations.

Thorough knowledge of local, state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to medical examiner activities.

Thorough knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.

Thorough knowledge of the planning and organizing of complex medical examiner operations and activities.

Ability to apply advanced professional knowledge of the principles of management, medicine and forensic pathology in directing, supervising and coordinating a large and complex medical examiner department.

Ability to plan, organize, direct and coordinate, through executives, managers and supervisors, the work of subordinates in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.

Ability to ensure that departmental operations and activities are in compliance with local, state federal laws and regulations.

Ability to delegate the authority to subordinates necessary to complete responsibilities in varied medical examiner functions.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing, to groups and individuals.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with senior County management, elected officials, law enforcement and health agencies, and with officials of other local, state and federal organizations.

Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in devising, installing and interpreting departmental policies, rules and regulations.

NEW 01/98