- Bachelor’s degree in biology, physical sciences, or a related field.
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.
- 4 to 7 years’ internship and residency training, specializing in forensic and anatomical pathology.
- Successful completion of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
How to become a Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist)
Average salary for a medical examiner
Before pursuing a career as a medical examiner, it is important to consider the potential salary. Despite the lack of salary data for this profession at the moment, the figures for these related professions can give you a good idea of the kind of pay you can anticipate:
What does a medical examiner do?
To ascertain a person’s cause of death, a medical examiner examines the tissues, bodily fluids, organs, and cells of the deceased. Medical examiners look at a victim’s body after a death to determine how they died and what happened to them.
They might carry out pathology examinations and toxicology tests to achieve this. Additionally, they record distinguishing features such as birthmarks, scars, bruises, wounds, and tattoos. By examining blood and DNA samples, medical examiners assist in the investigations of violent crimes. They might go to accident or crime scenes to gather information, speak with witnesses, and remove bodies.
How to become a medical examiner
It takes a lot of work and education to become a medical examiner, including attending medical school. A current medical license and well-developed analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills are also required. The following nine steps will help you start your career in the field:
1. Learn about the career
A medical examiner is a highly involved career. Prior to deciding to pursue the position as a career, it is crucial that you become familiar with the position. Learn about the responsibilities of a medical examiner by taking the time to do so. Knowing the qualifications needed to become a medical examiner can also help you decide if this is the right career for you.
Given the nature of the job, becoming a medical examiner can be emotionally taxing. If at all possible, speaking with a seasoned medical examiner and finding out how they deal with the emotional demands of their work can be beneficial.
Start by researching undergraduate programs that provide challenging science courses in high school and what you can do to enroll in these programs. Additionally, you ought to put more effort into your preparation for any required standardized tests, like the ACT and SATS.
2. Pursue an undergraduate degree
Your college years will be the beginning of your medical examiner career. Since a medical degree is required, it is crucial that you enroll in a pre-medical course of study while an undergraduate.
Find and enroll in a reputable institution with a strong pre-medical program. Your chances of being accepted into a reputable medical school can be improved by having a degree from a reputable institution. It is simple to find rankings of various degree programs online or from a career counselor.
You’ll take classes in topics like molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and microbiology as part of your pre-medical studies. Look for volunteer opportunities and internships in the medical field that will allow you to practice these subjects. Your medical school application will stand out if you have certifications like CPR and hold part-time jobs like an EMT.
3. Take the Medical College Admission Test
You must take the Medical College Admission Test before you can start applying to medical schools. Medical school applicants must pass the MCAT in order to be considered for admission. You should strive for high marks to enter a reputable medical school.
The MCAT consists of four sections you should study:
Preparing for your MCAT can be challenging. However, implementing the following strategies can make test preparation simpler:
You may take the MCAT exam more than once if you are not satisfied with your test results.
4. Complete medical school
Enroll in a medical degree program after completing your pre-med program to help you meet the requirements for medical school. Medical schools last four years, and during that time they give you a thorough understanding of human anatomy, fundamental medical science, and the diagnosis and administration of medication.
Your degree program’s first two years are likely to be heavily weighted toward coursework. In a classroom setting, you will study fundamental science and the human body. You will also learn proper clinical practice and bedside manner.
Clinical training will take place in the final two years of medical school, during which you will work in a hospital and learn about real-world medical practice. You will have the opportunity to put your newfound knowledge to use in fields like surgery, internal medicine, pathology, obstetrics, and pediatrics. Additionally, it is advised that you enroll in any forensics and pathology classes that are offered at this time.
5. Earn your medical license
Upon passing a board exam known as the United States Medical Licensing Exam after finishing medical school, you can obtain a medical license. The licensing exam consists of three distinct exams. The first portion of the exam is administered during the second year, and the final portion is administered following one year of residency.
Before obtaining a license, it is crucial to take into account the state in which you plan to practice your profession as state licensing requirements differ. Make sure you are familiar with your state’s specific requirements for medical examiners.
6. Pursue an anatomic pathology residency
Only after you have completed an anatomic pathology residency program is your training as a medical examiner complete. You are able to run your own medical practice on your own during your residency. Rotations in anatomic pathology subspecialties like forensic pathology, cytopathology, dermatopathology, and neuropathology are a central component of residency programs.
Search for residencies that offer training in forensic pathology and autopsies as part of the curriculum. Decide what combination of residency training is best for you by consulting medical examiners or former professors.
Typically, residency programs are four years long, with two years devoted to anatomic pathology and the remaining two years to clinical pathology. Other programs involve three-year residencies dedicated only to anatomic pathology.
7. Complete a forensic pathology fellowship
You might need to complete a one-year forensic pathology fellowship, depending on the combination you selected during your residency program. Through this program, you can hone your investigative skills in cases of violent and unexpected death.
The fellowship places a focus on gathering evidence and recognizing illnesses, poisoning, ballistic wounds, and trauma during autopsies. Your work will typically be done at your neighborhood coroner or medical examiner’s office under fellowship programs.
8. Build a professional network
Build a professional network by making use of the numerous steps you have already taken to advance your career. You must have a network because many medical examiners schedule appointments at the office.
Despite the fact that a medical fellowship may be the ideal starting point, it can be beneficial to go to conferences and networking events to meet people who might be crucial to your future professional success.
9. Apply to work in a medical examiner or coroners office
A solid professional network can make it much simpler for you to find employment as a medical examiner. To help you find a job, ask your contacts from medical school, your residency, your fellowship, and the conferences you attended. Additionally, you can browse open positions in various states or regions by visiting online job boards.
Put the most pertinent education and work experience at the top of your resume. Include all positions held during your time in medical school, including any internships.
FAQs about becoming a medical examiner
A medical examiner’s career path requires a lot of time and commitment. The following frequently asked questions may be helpful to understand before pursuing this career:
Where does a medical examiner work?
Medical examiners are employed by hospitals, government organizations, medical schools, and morgues. In addition, they might be asked to work off-site in the following circumstances:
How long does it take to become a medical examiner?
It could take at least 12 years to become a medical examiner after high school. Your first degree will be a four-year undergraduate bachelor’s degree in a natural science. Medical school will follow for another four years. You must complete a four-year residency program after graduating from medical school, as well as a one-year fellowship. The total time required to become a medical examiner is now 12 years.
Is a medical examiner a doctor?
Medical examiners typically conduct investigations into the causes of death of the deceased. Nevertheless, not all medical examiners are doctors and may not have received forensic pathology training in death investigation.
What skills do I need to become a medical examiner?
You need to be able to demonstrate the following abilities in order to become a medical examiner:
FAQ
Is it hard to be a medical examiner?
For a number of reasons, being a medical examiner is a challenging profession. Take the time to research the advantages and disadvantages of the career before deciding to pursue it. A medical examiner is similar to a coroner. It would be your responsibility to identify the deceased and ascertain the cause of their passing.
How do I qualify as a medical examiner?
- Steps to become a QME in the State of California:
- Pass the QME Competency Exam provided by the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) as the first step.
- Complete a 12-hour QME report writing course from a DWC-approved education provider as the second step.
- Step 3: Finalize the application for QME appointment.
What’s the difference between a coroner and a medical examiner?
Medical examiners are appointed and have board certification in a medical specialty, whereas coroners are elected laypeople who frequently lack professional training. Although the coroner system has benefits, these are greatly outweighed by its drawbacks.
How many years does it take to become an autopsy?
Must possess a bachelor’s degree, which takes four years to complete, in forensic science, biology, or mortuary science. A bachelor’s degree is the most popular option for this position, though completing an associate’s degree program may be sufficient for an entry-level position.
