Title
Agreement for Forensic Pathology Services.
Body
The Pathology Division of the Regional Forensic Science Center is responsible for the investigation of death, including the determination of the cause and manner of death, in cases of sudden, traumatic, and unexplained or other types of death that comes under the jurisdiction of the District Coroner. To perform these duties, the Center is authorized 3 pathologist FTEs. The Chief Forensic Pathologist recently resigned to take a position in another state. The current staff consists of two full-time pathologists, with this Chief Pathologist position open. The Center is currently recruiting for a Chief Forensic Pathologist. This highly-skilled physician position is difficult to fill. This agreement will provide for a limited amount of forensic pathology services to handle the current autopsy caseload. This will prevent unacceptable delays in issuing autopsy reports and death certificates.
Recommended Action: Approve contract and authorize Chairman to sign.
Alternatives: Not execute agreement and continue to search for a Chief Forensic Pathologist. This will result in increasing number of autopsy reports and death certificates.
Financial Considerations: Per the attached, the maximum cost associated with a single term of the agreement is $137,500. Funding is provided from salary savings from the vacant full-time Coronor/Medical Examiner position. The 2016 adopted budget included a salary of $197,145 for the position.
Legal Considerations: This agreement has been approved by the County Counselor's Office.
Policy Considerations: None