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Forensic Pathologist Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

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Forensic Pathologist information

See Illinois salary details

$40.2K

$212.5K

$310.1K

How much do forensic pathologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic pathologist in Illinois is $212,531.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $177,300.00 and $265,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do forensic pathologists do?

Forensic pathologists are specially-trained physicians who work with law enforcement to determine the cause of a suspicious death in a case. They perform an autopsy to examine the body; they test blood and tissue samples, check for indications of injuries caused by firearms or other weapons, and seek other trace evidence that may provide information to the case. Before they make determinations on the cause of death, forensic pathologists also study the victim’s medical history and evaluate other evidence collected at the crime scene and witness statements. Once they compile and analyze the evidence, they prepare a report and may need to testify the reasons behind their findings in court.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a forensic pathologist?

To thrive as a Forensic Pathologist, you need a medical degree, board certification in pathology, and specialized training in forensic pathology. Familiarity with autopsy techniques, laboratory information systems, and evidence handling protocols is crucial. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and clear written and verbal communication skills help in accurately determining causes of death and presenting findings. These competencies ensure reliable forensic investigations, support legal proceedings, and uphold public health and justice.

What are some of the unique challenges forensic pathologists face when working with law enforcement and legal teams?

Forensic pathologists often collaborate closely with law enforcement and legal professionals, which can present unique challenges such as communicating complex medical findings in a way that non-medical personnel can understand. They may be called upon to testify in court, requiring strong presentation skills and the ability to defend their conclusions under cross-examination. Balancing the need for scientific objectivity with the expectations and pressures from various stakeholders can also be demanding. Additionally, managing a high caseload while ensuring meticulous attention to detail is essential in this role.

What is the difference between Forensic Pathologist vs Medical Examiner?

AspectForensic Pathologist

Required CredentialsMedical degree, pathology residency, forensic pathology fellowship, medical license
Work EnvironmentAutopsy suites, laboratories, crime scenes
Employer & IndustryLaw enforcement agencies, medical examiner offices, forensic labs
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared due to similar roles in death investigations

While both forensic pathologists and medical examiners investigate unexplained deaths, forensic pathologists perform autopsies and analyze evidence in labs, whereas medical examiners are typically elected officials overseeing death investigations. The roles overlap in credentials and work environment, but their responsibilities differ slightly based on jurisdiction and specific duties.

Is forensic pathology a good career?

Forensic pathology is a specialized medical field involving the investigation of sudden or unexplained deaths through autopsies and evidence analysis. It requires medical training, certification, and strong attention to detail, with job stability and demand in criminal justice and public health sectors. The career can be rewarding for those interested in medicine, law enforcement, and scientific investigation.

Is it hard to get into forensic pathology?

Forensic pathology is a specialized medical field that requires completing medical school, a residency in pathology, and a fellowship in forensic pathology, making entry competitive. Candidates need strong academic records, relevant training, and certification from the American Board of Pathology, which can make the process challenging but achievable with dedication.

What jobs can you get as a forensic pathologist?

A forensic pathologist primarily works in medical examiner or coroner offices, performing autopsies to determine cause of death. They may also work in crime laboratories, hospitals, or research institutions, providing expert testimony in legal cases and collaborating with law enforcement. Certification by the American Board of Pathology is typically required for these roles.

What are the most commonly searched types of Forensic Pathologist jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Forensic Pathologist jobs in Illinois are:

What job categories do people searching Forensic Pathologist jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Forensic Pathologist jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Forensic Pathologist jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Forensic Pathologist job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Forensic Pathologist jobs in IL?

For Forensic Pathologist jobs in IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Forensic Pathologist job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $212,531 per year, or $102.2 per hour.

Respiratory Therapist - Part-Time

Chicago, IL • On-site


La Rabida Children's Hospital
Health Care and Social Assistance • 201 - 500 employees

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

135th of 1,064 rated hospitals

Good employer


Part-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Company Description
La Rabida Children's Hospital provides specialized, family-centered health care to children with medically complex conditions, disabilities, and chronic illness. Through expertise, compassion, and advocacy we help children and their families reach their fullest potential, regardless of their ability to pay.
Our not-for-profit hospital, licensed for 49 beds, helps transition children from neonatal or pediatric intensive care to home, by providing medical, rehabilitative and developmental care, and by training families to continue treatments and manage the necessary equipment in the home. La Rabida also provides extensive rehabilitation for those recovering from wounds or burns and treatment for exacerbations of chronic conditions.
The hospital's enhanced pediatric patient-centered medical home provides primary care to children with complex medical conditions and their siblings. Children with medical homes elsewhere come to La Rabida for specialty services. La Rabida offers a wide range of specialty services provided to children with sickle cell disease, diabetes, and many others. Children are supported in their emotional and developmental growth, particularly in cases where such growth has been interrupted by accident or disease.
Finally, La Rabida provides forensic and treatment services for children exposed to abuse and neglect, comprehensive assessments for wards of the state, early intervention for children between 0 and 3 years of age. Care coordination services for medically complex children are also provided for those who are covered by a health plan and receive care from providers in Cook County
Job Description
SUMMARY:Assists the patient in achieving the goals of their Respiratory Treatment Plan and supports life by performing the patient's prescribed respiratory interventions and therapies, monitoring physiological responses to these interventions and therapies, and sharing these findings with the multidisciplinary team.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Patient Care - 75%
a. Assists the patient in achieving the goals of their Respiratory Treatment Plan and supports life by performing the patient's prescribed respiratory interventions and therapies including administering inhalants (via small volume nebulizers, metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, etc.), operation of mechanical ventilators (invasive and/or noninvasive), managing therapeutic gas administration apparatuses (heated humidified trach collar, nasal cannula, high flow nasal cannula, etc.), administering airway clearance therapies (vibrative and percussive therapies, cough assist devices), safe and effective tracheal suction, managing natural and artificial airways, noninvasive monitoring, peak flow monitoring, asthma education, and other modalities, as needed
b. Assists the patient in achieving the goals of their Respiratory Treatment Plan by monitoring physiological responses to respiratory interventions and therapy, by monitoring vital signs and capnometry, and by interpreting blood gases and blood chemistry results
c. Evaluates the effects of the Respiratory Treatment Plan by observing, noting, and trending the patient's progress, and makes recommendations for adjustments and modifications of the Respiratory Treatment Plan to the multidisciplinary team
d. Participates in discharge planning by consulting with the multidisciplinary team and makes the necessary contributions to Family Centered Rounds and conferences
e. Assists in assuring the continuation of the patient's Respiratory Treatment Plan, in the outpatient setting, by performing bedside instruction with the patient's family and/or caregivers in the patient's prescribed respiratory interventions and therapies including administering inhalants (via small volume nebulizer, metered dose inhaler, dry powder inhaler, etc.), home operation of mechanical ventilators (invasive and/or noninvasive), managing therapeutic gas administration apparatuses (heated humidified trach collar, nasal cannula, high flow nasal cannula, etc.), administering airway clearance therapies (vibrative and percussive therapies, cough assist devices), safe and effective tracheal suction, managing natural and artificial airways, peak flow monitoring, asthma education, and other modalities, as needed; recommends additional training, as needed
f. Documents all training sessions electronically in the patient's Electronic Medical Record
g. Protects patients and employees by adhering to policies, procedures, and protocols
h. Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies, procedures, and protocols
Special Procedures - 10%
a. Performs ventilator weaning
b. Assists Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP) with cuff deflation trials, and Passey-Muir Valve (PMV) trials
c. Assists with tracheostomy tube exchange and tracheostomy tube tie exchange
d. Performs blood analysis using the epoc® system
e. Performs Vent Mobility and accompanies the patient, requiring mechanical ventilation, with mobilization within the hospital
f. Performs Vent Mobility and accompanies the patient, requiring mechanical ventilation, or other forms of respiratory support, on interhospital ground transport
g. Staffs the outpatient Technology Dependent Clinic
h. Staffs the outpatient Spirometry Clinic
i. Responds to all emergency alerts
Patient/Family Education - 5%
a. Performs formal instruction with the patient's family and/or caregivers in the patient's prescribed respiratory interventions and therapies including administering inhalants (via small volume nebulizers, metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, etc.), home operation of mechanical ventilators (invasive and/or noninvasive), managing therapeutic gas administration apparatuses (heated humidified trach collar, nasal cannula, high flow nasal cannula, etc.), administering airway clearance therapies (vibrative and percussive therapies, cough assist devices), safe and effective tracheal suction, managing natural and artificial airways, peak flow monitoring, asthma education, and other modalities, as needed; recommends additional training, as needed
b. Documents all training sessions electronically in the patient's Electronic Medical Record
c. Uses non-technical terminology for the purpose of more clear communication with the patient, and patient's family and/or caregivers
d. Performs immediate service recovery, when indicated
Staff/Student Education and Training - 5%
a. Participates in competencies, in-services and trainings of department orientees, respiratory students and colleagues
b. Acts as preceptor for department orientees and respiratory students; takes responsibility for ensuring return demonstration required for competency check-off
c. Assists in training of new Residents, Nursing staff, and Clinical Support Staff, as indicated
Continuing education - 3%
a. Attends all mandatory continuing education activities, competencies, in-services, and Skill's Days
b. Remains current in required certifications (e.g. American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) ), and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) required for IL State Licensure
c. Participates in elective membership in the national and/or state societies for Respiratory Care Practitioners; updates the Respiratory Care Department with education obtained at the AARC (American Association for Respiratory Care) and/or ISRC (Illinois Society for Respiratory Care) conferences
d. Participates in elective continuing education activities and pursues advanced certifications (e.g. Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (NPS) ) as a means to support one's own professional growth and development
Quality Improvement/Staff Meetings - 2%
a. Participates in Quality Improvement initiatives as designated by the Manager
b. Participates and adheres to Hospital wide Quality Improvement initiatives
c. Files Safety Learning Notifications (SLNs), as indicated
d. Ensures the safe operation of equipment by completing preventative maintenance requirements, following manufacturer's instructions,
troubleshooting malfunctions, and submitting a Plant Operations
Workorder for equipment repair, when necessary
e. Identifies areas of improvement, both within the respiratory department and throughout the Hospital; escalates concerns to leadership
f. Attends all departmental meetings, in-person or virtually
Qualifications
Education: Graduate of an American Medical Association (AMA) approved Respiratory Care Program
Related Work Experience: Familiarity with the concepts and performance of invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation management, inhaled medication administration, airway clearance administration, blood gas analysis, noninvasive monitoring, tracheostomy tube and tie exchange, etc.
in a pediatric setting. 1 year pediatric experience preferred.
Licensure/Certification: Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) required; Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) preferred; Registered Respiratory Therapist Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (RRT-NPS) preferred; only credentialing issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care will be accepted
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required; Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification preferred; PALS must be obtained within 6 months of hire; Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) preferred; only certifications issued by the American Heart Association will be accepted
Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (IDPFR) Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license required
Specialized Knowledge and Skills: Experience in the management of the pediatric patient requiring tracheostomy tube and mechanical ventilator preferred
Excellent verbal communication skills required
Additional Information
La Rabida Children's Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
La Rabida is a place unlike any other. We understand the needs of families with children dealing with the most serious or complicated of conditions. With teams of the best healthcare providers in Chicago, we give continuous, comprehensive care, education, and support, helping families face their unique obstacles head-on.
La Rabida Children's Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.


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