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Autopsy Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Receives all Release of Body forms, the Authorization for Performance of Hospital Autopsy forms and the Disposition of Stillbirth forms and checks for accurate completion of forms before releasing a ...

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Autopsy information

See Michigan salary details

$43.1K

$77.6K

$115.9K

How much do autopsy jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for autopsy in Michigan is $77,578.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,800.00 and $86,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an autopsy technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Autopsy Technician, you need a background in biological sciences, anatomical knowledge, and a relevant associate or bachelor's degree, often supplemented by specialized training in pathology or mortuary science. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, specimen handling protocols, and digital record-keeping systems is typically required. Attention to detail, discretion, strong communication, and the ability to handle sensitive situations are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure accurate post-mortem examinations, maintain legal and ethical standards, and support the effective functioning of forensic investigations.

What is an autopsy?

An autopsy is a thorough medical examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death and evaluate any disease or injury that may be present. It is typically performed by a forensic pathologist or medical examiner. Autopsies can be ordered by legal authorities in cases of unexpected, suspicious, or unexplained deaths, or requested by families for clarification. The findings from an autopsy can provide valuable information for legal investigations, medical research, and family closure.

How to become an autopsy worker?

To become an autopsy worker, typically one needs to complete a relevant degree such as a medical degree or a pathology assistant program, gain experience in a medical or forensic setting, and obtain any required state licensure or certification. Skills in anatomy, pathology, and attention to detail are essential, and employment often involves working in a morgue or forensic laboratory environment.

What is the difference between Autopsy vs Forensic Pathologist?

AspectAutopsyForensic Pathologist
Required CredentialsMedical degree, autopsy trainingMedical degree, pathology residency, forensic certification
Work EnvironmentMedical examiner's office, hospitalsCrime labs, medical examiner's offices, hospitals
Industry UsageMedical, legal, death investigationsLegal cases, criminal investigations, death scene analysis

Autopsy is a procedure performed to examine a deceased individual, often conducted by medical professionals with specialized training. A Forensic Pathologist is a medical doctor who specializes in determining cause of death through autopsies within the context of legal investigations. While autopsies are a core part of a forensic pathologist's work, the latter's role encompasses broader responsibilities including case analysis, report writing, and courtroom testimony.

What are the qualifications to get an autopsy job?

The duties and responsibilities of a clinical or forensic autopsy technician are to prepare for the autopsy, examine a body, and determine the cause of death. The qualifications that you need to get an autopsy job include education, investigative skills, and knowledge of autopsy procedures and tools. A forensic pathologist is a doctor (M.D.) who has completed a residency or fellowship in forensics. A forensic autopsy technician needs at least a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or a related field. You can choose to continue to a master’s degree or pursue professional certification from the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI). You may also pursue specialties such as forensic DNA or toxicology.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in autopsy services?

Professionals in autopsy services often encounter emotionally challenging situations, as they regularly work with deceased individuals and grieving families. The role requires meticulous attention to detail, as accurate documentation and analysis are critical for determining causes of death. Additionally, autopsy technicians and pathologists must adhere to strict safety and biohazard protocols, and they often collaborate closely with law enforcement and medical teams. Balancing these responsibilities while maintaining professionalism and emotional resilience is a common challenge in this field.

What career performs autopsies?

A forensic pathologist is a medical doctor trained to perform autopsies to determine cause of death. They typically hold a medical degree, complete pathology residency, and obtain board certification in forensic pathology. Autopsies are conducted in medical examiner or coroner offices, often requiring knowledge of anatomy, pathology, and legal procedures.
What are the most commonly searched types of Autopsy jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Autopsy jobs in Michigan are:
What are popular job titles related to Autopsy jobs in Michigan? For Autopsy jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Autopsy jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Autopsy job openings:
Infographic showing various Autopsy job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 97% In-person, and 3% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $77,578 per year, or $37.3 per hour.

Staff Physician- Pathology and Laboratory

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Detroit, MI • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago


Veterans Health Administration rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 1,004 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

69th of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Summary
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.
This Full Time (40 hours) position is located at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan. Join a team of Pathologist providers, some full time VA, others part-time with the affiliate Wayne State University School of Medicine. The extent of duties performed by the staff pathologist in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Detroit VA Healthcare system is the dependent on the individual's documented training, certification and credentialing. The potential breadth of duties is described below:
  • Surgical pathology: Derive diagnoses from gross and microscopic examination of tissues and other materials submitted by biopsy or surgical procedures. This includes interpretation of tissues submitted intraoperatively for frozen section diagnosis. Advanced subspecialty training in surgical pathology may provide additional expertise.
    • Hematopathology: Provide expert hematologic diagnostic interpretations of blood, bone marrow, lymph node and fluid preparations. Provide interpretations of serum and urine electrophoreses.
    • Dermatopathology: Provide expert diagnostic interpretation of inflammatory, melanocytic and non-melanocytic lesions in skin biopsies and excisions.
    • Genitourinary pathology: Provide expert diagnostic interpretation of diseases involving the urinary and reproductive organs.
    • Gastrointestinal pathology: Provide expert diagnostic interpretation of diseases involving the oral-esophageal, stomach, upper and lower intestinal tract as well as liver and pancreas.
  • Clinical Pathology: Understand organization and principles of clinical laboratory testing. Provide consultation regarding chemistry analytic, hematologic, microbiologic, molecular diagnostic and blood bank issues. Advanced subspecialty training in clinical pathology may provide additional expertise. Examples listed below.
    • Transfusion medicine: Provide expert consultation and guidance regarding blood product transfusion issues.
    • Molecular diagnostics: Provide expert consultation and guidance regarding molecular genetic testing and interpretations.
  • Autopsy pathology: Derive cause of death and identify diseased tissues by post-mortem necropsy and tissue examination. This function includes supervision of dieners and resident pathologists.
  • Cytopathology: Derive diagnoses from microscopic examination of cellular material from gynecologic and non-gynecologic sources prepared for cytologic examination. This includes assessment of specimen adequacy and examination of prepared cell-block material. Duties may also include performance of fine-needle aspiration of palpable nodules.
  • Administrative: Participate in laboratory oversight to the extent assigned and serve on institutional level committees and workgroups.
  • Quality: Meet defined service and institutional level quality performance measures. Participate in or initiate laboratory or institutional quality improvement and management programs.
  • Educational: Provide teaching, supervision and guidance of technologists, technicians fellows and pathology residents in the aspects of the clinical duties described above. Participate in interdisciplinary educational conferences involving clinical pathologic correlation.
  • Research: Support VHA research mission through participation in collaborative or self-initiated research projects.
Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact at VISN10HRCCOE@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME)
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)
Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided
Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting
Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.
Basic Requirements:
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed.
  • Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
  • Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are:
    • (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA), in the list published for the year the residency, or fellowship if applicable, was completed; OR
    • (2) One year of post medical school training (internship, first year of residency, or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States; OR
    • (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the Physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences.
    • Exceptions:
      • Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e., not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather, they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs.
      • In rare and unusual circumstances, the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer, who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience, accomplishments, performance, and qualifications warrant such action.
  • Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting and carrying (45+ lbs.); As needed - Straight pulling, pulling handover hand, pushing and reaching above shoulders, walking, standing, crawling, kneeling, repeated bending, climbing using both legs and arms; use of fingers and both hands required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13'-16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); working closely with others; working alone; protracted or irregular hours of work.
Education
Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are:
  1. Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted.
  2. Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for the year in which the degree was granted.
  3. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, confirmation must be made that the medical school meets (or met) Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) eligibility requirement for year graduated.

NOTE: The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal h

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About Veterans Health Administration

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, serving millions of Veterans each year. Located in Phoenix, AZ, and many other parts of the US, the VHA operates under the Department of Veteran Affairs, as suggested by their official website va.gov. The VHA is dedicated to providing the highest level of comprehensive care to its veterans. The organization offers a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care, including mental health services, research, and pharmacy benefits.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Phoenix, AZ, US