Anatomical Pathology

Overview

The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Fraser Health is inviting applications for two full-time positions in Forensic Pathology. The Forensic Pathologist is responsible for autopsy investigations conducted into sudden and unexpected or unnatural deaths reportable to the BC Coroners Service (BCCS), in accordance with the Coroners Act, for the province of British Columbia. The purpose of these investigations is to support identification of the decedent together with the cause and manner of death, to provide documentation and expert opinion to assist with resolving civil and criminal matters that arise from a death, and to support the Coroners Service in providing a sound source of data for deaths investigated by coroners in British Columbia as an aid to preventing similar deaths from occurring in the future. The incumbent will serve as a Forensic Pathologist by conducting autopsies (including the provision of expert testimony in court as needed). The Forensic Pathologist will also assist the Lead Forensic Pathologist and Chief Medical Officer in areas of Quality Improvement and Assurance and with research as needed. The successful person will be expected, at times, to be the representative of the Lead Forensic Pathologist and the Coroners Service and will fulfill delegated leadership activities as requested by the Chief Medical Officer or the Lead Forensic pathologist, BCCS.

Responsibilities

• Completion of thorough autopsy investigations
• Provide guidance to Coroners and police officers regarding deaths to be investigated, the extent of investigation and the medical history to be obtained.
• Work with the Coroner to determine whether there will be an external examination or complete autopsy, as part of the investigation, or whether the investigation can be completed based solely upon a review of appropriate documents.
• Complete an external examination or autopsy, with collection of appropriate specimens for histology, toxicology, and other specialized tests as deemed necessary.
• Collaborate with other experts (eg. Forensic Anthropologist, Forensic Odontologist) as needed to successfully complete a coronial investigation.
• Prepare reports outlining the findings and conclusions of all autopsy investigations conducted in a timely manner.
• Respond to correspondence and queries arising from autopsy investigations conducted.
• Provide balanced testimony as an expert witness in courts of law.
• Be accessible for consultations from police and lawyers regarding the findings and conclusions of death investigations where criminal or civil matters arise.
• Respond to correspondence from legal counsel regarding death investigations in a timely manner.
• Respond to subpoenas ensuring coordination of schedule between courtroom testimony and other responsibilities.
• Meet with Crown Prosecutors, Defence Bar, and other legal counsel as required prior to testimony.
• Provide balanced testimony to the courts to ensure clear understanding of injuries, cause of death, and other medical issues for the judge and jury.
• Promote understanding of Forensic Pathology and death investigation by agencies and individuals outside of the BC Coroner’s Service.
• Provide education and guidance to members of the BCCS in the performance of their responsibilities, including on-call duties to assist coroner investigations.
• Serve as a resource and teacher for police and lawyers regarding Forensic Pathology and death investigations.
• Serve as a teacher for medical students, residents, Forensic Pathology Fellows, paramedics, and other professionals seeking education in various aspects of death investigation and Forensic Pathology.
• Support any reasonable research or publication efforts undertaken by the Lead Forensic Pathologist or the office of the Chief Medical Officer, BCCS.

Qualifications

The incumbent must be an M.D. with specialty training and certification in Anatomical or General (Clinical) Pathology and with an additional Fellowship year of training in Forensic Pathology together with certification in Forensic Pathology (Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, American Board of Pathology, DMJ (Path), or other equivalent). This includes knowledge of all aspects of death investigation, identification techniques, autopsy and external examination techniques, preparation of reports, and provision of expert testimony in a court of law. The incumbent will be required to develop a thorough knowledge of and be able to apply the provisions of the Coroners Act, and must also be aware of and able to apply provisions of a number of other pieces of British Columbian legislation (e.g. Vital Statistics Act, Public Health Act, Cremation Interment & Funeral Services Act, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) as they apply to death investigation and the work of the BCCS. The incumbent must also be proficient in the use of computers (including use of the internet and Microsoft Office), must be licensed or eligible for medical licensure in the province of British Columbia, and must have a valid driver’s license.

Problem Solving

The incumbent must make a wide variety of decisions, on a daily basis, in order to maintain the high standards of the BCCS and to help sustain operations, including the running of the BCCS Post Mortem Examination Site/s. These decisions may involve application of BCCS policy, the Coroners Act, or other legislation as it applies to the operation of the BCCS Post Mortem Examination Site/s. The incumbent has access to a wide range of resources within the BCCS to assist with decisions.

Behavioural Competencies

Strategic Orientation • Innovation and Change • Results Orientation • Analytic Thinking • Relationship Building • Flexibility • Leading Others • Teamwork and Cooperation

Travel

The incumbent forensic pathologist may be asked to travel to other BCCS Post-Mortem Diagnostic Services (PMDS) sites, including Abbotsford, Victoria, Kelowna and Vernon to perform autopsies. The incumbent will be expected to travel to Prince George for two days (two nights) every four to six weeks (rotating with other forensic pathologists) as part of a visiting forensic autopsy service.

Impact of Job

The Forensic Pathologist, BCCS, is responsible for conducting post mortem examinations and death investigation support in BC, in accordance with the Coroners Act. The conclusions drawn in each case, by the Forensic Pathologist, are of crucial importance to the coroners’ findings as required by the Coroners Act and to the resolution of criminal and civil law matters that arise in many of these deaths.

Compensation

Compensation Type Clinical Service Contract