Medical examiners perform an important role in medicine and law enforcement. They are licensed doctors who are specially trained in the field of forensic pathology. The main responsibility of a medical examiner is to complete a full medical examination and determine the cause of death of individuals involved in violent deaths, under suspicious circumstances or even natural causes. A medical autopsy is performed wherein the medical examiner inspects the deceased person’s organs, tissues, cells and body fluids. In this medical profession you may also assist in evaluating rape cases.
Lately, a number of television shows have made the job of a medical examiner more accessible to the common man. They are portrayed as wise cracking men, alluring but strong women or no-nonsense individuals. However, in the real world, medical examiners do not lead Hollywood lives and the road to becoming one starts with a good education, proper training, getting a license and achieving certification. Online medical schools can give you a great start in this career.
Use these medical career training tips and learn the requirements to become a medical examiner.
- Earn a pre-med undergraduate degree. The first step in your medical training is to get a pre-med undergraduate degree. Aspiring medical examiners need to earn a bachelor’s degree that will qualify you for a medical degree. Biology, chemistry, microbiology and physics are good options. You can also take up forensic science even though this is not required.
- Get a degree in medicine. Once you have finished your pre-med degree, it is time to buckle up and move on to earning a medical degree. You can choose to become an M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) or a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy). Some medical examiners major in pathology, family practice or general practice. Take advantage of courses in forensic pathology if the school offers such classes.
- Finish a residency program. After completing your medical degree, you now move on to the residency program. Residency in the field of forensic pathology is required to become a medical examiner. As a resident, you get hands-on training for 5–7 years. Residents start training in clinical pathology and anatomy before specializing in actual forensic pathology. Autopsies and diagnostic testing is part of the 1–2 years of training in forensic pathology. You receive a salary during residency.
- Fulfill an internship. During the last stages of the residency program, an internship at a coroner’s or medical examiner’s office is required. Interns join the forensic team. A certified forensic pathologist supervises the intern who can now participate in the following:
- Crime scene investigations
- Laboratory testing on tissue samples and body fluids
- Prepare reports
- Prepare testimony for court
- Obtain a license and get certified. In order to become a full-fledged medical examiner, one must acquire a state medical license. You can apply for a license after completing medical school or while undergoing the residency program. Once you have a license and have completed your residency training, the next step is to take the national certification exam. The American Board of Pathology is responsible for giving this exam.
- Get hired. Medical examiners are employed by the state or in some cases by law enforcement agencies. Those with many, many years of experience are hired as educators or consultants.
Becoming a medical examiner requires not only the right education but also certain personal characteristics. One cannot be squeamish around blood, bodily fluids or corpses. A medical examiner should be patient, curious, organized, detail oriented, careful and prepared for long hours of work.