Temporary Medicolegal Death Investigator - Medical Examiner's - JC100008 - 38900

Nueces County•Marietta, GA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, this temporary position receives reports of death, visits death scenes, conducts investigations regarding circumstances of death, examines decedents, and prepares official investigative reports. The investigator releases cause and manner of death information to the public, official agencies, and media according to office policies, trains newly hired Medical Investigators, and performs other duties as required. The employee is required to be on duty before, during, and after natural disasters and emergencies, as directed by the supervisor. This temporary position will not exceed 29 hours per week.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in fields to include Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Biomedical Science, or closely related field; or, Associate’s degree in fields to include Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Biomedical Science, or closely related field with additional verifiable work experience (1-3 years); or, Certification as an RN, EMT-Paramedic, or equivalent medical certification; with additional verifiable work experience (1-3 years).
Must know the Texas State Medical Examiner Act and related statutes; knowledge of crime scene investigation and procedures; knowledge of the criminal justice system; knowledge of human anatomy, health care systems, basic pathophysiology, and medical terminology.
Skill in identification and assessment of wounds; photography; fingerprinting and other identification techniques; good written and oral communication skills required; excellent computer skills, including word processing required.
The ability to maintain security of the work area, evidence, and information is required.
Must be able to respond to inquiries from the public and official agencies in a pleasant, effective and professional manner.
Ability to work well with other agencies to facilitate effective investigation and appropriate services for decedents and their families.
Must maintain certification and/or licensure as a Registered Nurse, Paramedic, or equivalent medical certification, if applicable.
Must achieve registration by the American Board of Medical Death Investigators (ABMDI) within two (2) years.
Must have a valid Texas driver’s license, motor vehicle liability insurance, and personal injury insurance; or have a self-reliant source of transportation to conduct business daily.
Must have available transportation during the entire workday.
Must secure and maintain a favorable background investigation including a pre-employment physical and a pre-employment drug screen test as per Human Resources policy.
Shift work to provide 24-hour coverage is required.
Any employee who drives a vehicle on official business must have a driving record which meets standards set by the County and the County’s insurance carrier.

Nice To Haves

Completed Death Investigator Certification by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators or must be obtained within two years of date of hire.

Responsibilities

Answers calls from the death notification phone line, evaluates the jurisdictional authority of this office regarding those calls, and makes a preliminary determination based on the Texas Medical Examiner Act as to the disposition of the case which is reviewed by the Medical Examiner.
Conducts death scene investigations, which includes visiting the death scene, drawing diagrams, taking quality photographs, interviewing witnesses, family members, law enforcement agents, or other pertinent individuals to obtain information about circumstances surrounding the death; examines decedent for wounds or other evidence pertinent to death.
Prepares written investigative reports on investigative findings and observations.
Contacts physicians, medical facilities, and investigative agencies to obtain medical information pertinent to death investigation.
Coordinates identification measures in all cases, particularly in cases of unidentified decedents.
Contacts next of kin regarding death notification and the disposition of the decedent’s remains.
Receives calls from agencies (including news media) and releases appropriate information regarding cases.
Serves as a liaison with law enforcement agencies, coordinating the exchange of information regarding cases.
Provides general 24 hours a day security and supervision of the medical examiner’s building.
Monitors alarm systems.
Consults with Medical Examiners regarding necessary follow-up information required for case investigation.
May assist in the transfer and return of physical evidence to law enforcement agencies.