Medical Examiner Internship Opportunities

Medical Student Rotation and Forensic Internship Program

The Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner (ACOME) offers two unique opportunities to get hands-on experience within a Medical Examiner’s Office and Forensic Laboratory.

The Medical Student Rotation is for those medical students interested in pursuing a career in the field of forensic pathology. The rotation timeline will be flexible based on the requested term period specified by the applicant, with an expected commitment of 20-40 hours per week.

The Forensic Internship is intended for college students and graduates interested in pursuing a career in a Forensic Laboratory or within Medicolegal Death Investigations. The Forensic Internship is offered on a trimester schedule, with a commitment of a minimum of 10 hours per week to be completed over a 12-15 week period.

Medical Student Rotation

Applicant Criteria

  • Currently enrolled or applying to a medical school program prior to residency.
  • Upon award of internship: provide proof of liability insurance coverage by either the educational institution or independent liability insurance. Educational institution risk assessment departments may be contacted to inquire if they provide coverage. Independent insurance coverage may be obtained from private insurance companies (i.e. homeowners or renters insurance with a liability coverage).
  • Background check may be required before official award of the internship.

Rotation Requirements

  • Medical student must prepare and present a presentation to ACOME management and staff.

Additional opportunities to present on the research accomplished/presentation given as part of the ACOME Medical Student rotation may be identified. All such presentations must be with the approval of ACOME management even if it exceeds the timeline of the rotation. Additional presentation formats include but are not limited to:

  • A poster at a local or national conference
  • Submission of a proposed journal article to an applicable scientific journal

Forensic Internship

Application Criteria

  • Ability to commit 2-3 days per week (Monday through Friday) with a preferred commitment of 5 hours per day between the hours of 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Thursday mornings (9-12) are mandatory.
  • Upon award of internship: provide proof of liability insurance coverage by either the educational institution or independent liability insurance. Educational institution risk assessment departments may be contacted to inquire if they provide coverage. Independent insurance coverage may be obtained from private insurance companies (i.e. homeowners or renters insurance with a liability coverage).
  • Background check may be required before official award of the internship.

Internship Requirements

  • Attend Orientation meeting; complete and submit all required internship documentation. (i.e. confidentiality, indemnification, etc.)
  • A minimum of 120 hours over a 12-15 week period must be completed for successful completion of the internship. If additional hours are specified by the educational institution, this must be noted on the application.
  • Attend and participate in a series of lectures and rotations through the operational areas of the office every Thursday morning. Lectures are provided by ACOME team on a variety of Medico-Legal and Forensic topics.
  • Prepare and present presentation to ACOME management and staff.

Additional opportunities to present on the research accomplished / presentation given as part of the ACOME Forensic Internship Program may be identified. All such presentations must be with the approval of ACOME management even if it exceeds the timeline of the internship. Additional presentation formats include but are not limited to:

  • A poster at a local or national conference
  • Submission of a proposed journal article to an applicable scientific journal
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