Forensic Pathologist
Compensation
Pay not listed
The week · per this posting
Ask the employer about the pay range, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
Work Schedule
Performs post-mortem examinations, determines cause of death and renders a medical opinion as to manner of death. Reviews clinical medical history of decedents. Liaises with various legal and medical professionals. Determines explanations for various types of marks and signs of trauma. Recovers and prevents evidence as necessary. Analyzes expert reports and toxicology tests. Serves as an expert in court, consultation or deposition as needed.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: include, but are not limited to, the following:
Performs postmortem examinations. Reviews medical records of the deceased and reviews relevant information from the Coroner’s office in order to determine cause of death and provide a medical opinion on manner of death. Dictates accurate and comprehensive autopsy reports.
- Interprets expert reports (toxicology, neuropathology, cardiopathology, etc.).
- Able to perform death scene investigations.
- Acts as a professional consultant in medico-legal cases concerning the cause and manner of death.
- Assists in determining identity of descendants.
- Collaborates with other Departmental Pathologists and team members; trains and directs the work of forensic autopsy assistants and other support staff.
- Participates in educational programs.
Fosters and promotes good working relations with colleagues, law enforcement officials, attorneys, and if necessary public individuals.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
A. Education/Experience:
M.D. or D.O. degree with successful Commonwealth of Pennsylvania licensure. Successful completion of a pathology residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME); and completion of a forensic pathology fellowship.
It will be expected that the individual will be Board-eligible and will seek appropriate Board Certification(s) in Anatomic Pathology (AP) or Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology (AP/CP) with a subspecialty in forensic pathology within 2 years of hiring. Working knowledge of State and Federal regulations governing laboratories.
B. Language Ability:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals. Ability to respond to common inquiries from customers, including coroners and medical doctors. Ability to write articles for publication.
C. Math Ability:
Ability to work with mathematical concepts including simple math skills, basic geometry and trigonometrical concepts. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
D. Reasoning Ability:
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ethical obligations may supersede HNL’s interests.
- E. Computer Skills:
- Ability to use Microsoft Office products, and various other computer software products.
- F. Certificates and Licenses:
- None required.
HNL Lab Medicine is an equal opportunity employer.
In accordance with, and where applicable, in addition to federal, state and local employment regulations, Lehigh Valley Health Network will provide employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or other such protected classes as may be defined by law.
All personnel actions and programs will adhere to this policy. Personnel actions and programs include, but are not limited to recruitment, selection, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, educational programs and/or social activities.
Address
1255 S Cedar Crest Blvd
Primary Location
Allentown- 1255 Cedar Crest
Position Type: Onsite
Department: 1046-00072 FPA
Key Responsibilities
The forensic pathologist performs post-mortem examinations, determines the cause and manner of death, and reviews clinical medical history. They also serve as an expert witness in legal proceedings and collaborate with law enforcement and medical professionals.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
- Experience
- 5+ years of experience
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Forensic Pathologist at HNL Lab Medicine a 6.1 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Pathology — ranked against 216 active Pathology listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no on-call duties.
Pathology — Physician Career Context
The cost-of-living index for Pennsylvania is 97.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 61.7% of Pennsylvania clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
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