Medical Examiner Assistant
A medical examiner assistant helps the medical examiner perform a variety of tasks that help solve medical mysteries and provide evidence toward solving violent crimes. In most states, a medical examiner must have an assistant present when performing post-mortem examinations and many other tasks. This is a great career choice that offers you job satisfaction, a great working environment, excellent benefits, and a lucrative salary. If you would like to work in one of the best careers in medicine, now is the perfect time to go back to school and get your training for this great job.
Education and Training
In most areas, the training to become a medical examiner assistant includes getting a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in biology or allied health. You may also be required to earn a master’s degree and/or become certified in pathology to be qualified for some positions. If you would prefer an online education, there are many online colleges that offer both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology as well as other qualifying degrees.
The coursework you will be required to take in your degree program will include the basic education classes that are required with any degree but will also include many science and medical classes. Some of these may include biology, microbiology, chemistry, organic chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and many more. You may also be required to complete some on-site clinical experience as part or all of your requirements for your classes.
Job Description
A medical examiner assistant is an important part of the medical examiner’s office. In many cases, when the medical examiner reaches findings in a case, the medical examiner assistant is responsible for passing on the information to family members. Because of this, it is important that anyone entering this field has a strong sense of compassion and empathy as well as communication skills.
In this job, you will also be required to assist with autopsies and other tests. You will also perform sample collections and run analysis on samples. In short, as the assistant, you will perform much the same duties as the medical examiner up to the point of, but not including, forming a diagnosis. You will also compile information and complete a variety of medical and laboratory testing reports that show the findings of the medical examiner.
In this position, you can expect to work in a variety of settings but much of your time will be spent in a laboratory. Many people in this position earn a great salary of between $35,000 and $53,000 a year along with excellent insurance, vacation time, and other benefits. This is a great career choice for anyone who is interested in starting a rewarding medical career but who don’t want to get an M.D. degree. In this field, you will be a valuable member of a team and will have a close working relationship with the medical examiner and his or her staff. If this sounds like your idea of a dream job, find a program that is right for you and start your medical examiner assistant training today.
