Medicolegal (Medical) Death Investigator I, II, or III

Johnson County Kansas•Olathe, KS

8d•$26 - $49•Onsite

About The Position

Johnson County Health & Environment department is looking for qualified candidates to fill the position of a Medicolegal (Medical) Death Investigator I, II, or III, with level placement and pay based upon experience and background. This role involves assisting with investigations of sudden and unexpected deaths, responding to death scenes, conducting external examinations of the deceased, and preparing comprehensive reports. The position requires working irregular shifts, including weekends, nights, evenings, holidays, and on-call duties, often in challenging environmental conditions and potentially hazardous situations. The investigator acts as a liaison to the bereaved, coordinates with law enforcement and other agencies, and may be required to testify in court.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Biological Science, Forensic Science, Natural science, Anthropology, Nursing, or any other medically relevant field.
Two (2) years of full-time experience as a medical investigator, deputy coroner, law enforcement officer, mortician, emergency medical technician, or relevant field (Investigator I).
Two (2) years of full-time experience as a medical investigator is required (Investigator II).
Four (4) years of full-time experience as a medical death investigator is also required (Investigator III).
BASIC Certification with the American Board of Medicolegal Investigators (ABMDI) is preferred (Investigator I).
A certification with the American Board of Medicolegal Investigators (ABMDI) (Investigator II).
A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record is also required (Investigator II).
Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Biological Science, Forensic Science, Natural science, Anthropology, Nursing, or any other medically relevant field, and BASIC Cerification with the American Board of Medicolegal Investigators (ABMDI) Registry Certification are required (Investigator III).
Knowledge and skills in digital photography.
Ability to deal with distraught, upset and violent family members, friends and witnesses.
Ability to operate computer equipment and use software programs to complete required paperwork, reports, and email correspondence (Investigator II & III).
Knowledge of applicable laws, statutes, and chain of custody requirements (Investigator II & III).
Knowledge of medical terminology, human anatomy, investigation techniques, and methods, particularly as they relate to a death investigation (Investigator II & III).
Knowledge of prescription medications and their uses (Investigator II & III).

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Criminal Justice, Biological Science, Forensic Science, Natural science, Anthropology, Nursing, or any other medically relevant field is preferred (Investigator II).
Experience can substitute for education (Investigator I).

Responsibilities

Responds promptly to various death scenes and acts as primary official in charge of the body, personal effects, medications, and evidence.
Takes photographs and interviews witnesses to obtain a statement reflecting the circumstances of death.
Performs external examinations of the deceased on scene.
Uses critical thinking to ask unique questions of each respective case.
Independently identifies and determines jurisdiction of a case, with consultation of the on-call pathologist as needed.
Ensures the proper handling of the body in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Conducts or assists with the intake, maintenance, and disposition of biohazardous materials/waste, property, evidence, toxicology, medication, bodies, and/or specimens.
Operates county response vehicles and equipment.
Investigates all deaths which are under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner as dictated by K.S.A. 22a-231.
Ensures the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of investigations, as well as compliance with local, state and federal laws governing the same.
Obtains medical records in deaths being investigated as needed.
Applies professional knowledge and accepted practices in performing investigations.
Investigates deaths involving a communicable disease and completes testing of suspected deaths related to communicable diseases.
Reports communicable disease deaths to the local Department of Health and Environment.
Prepares a comprehensive report detailing the necessary case demographics and a summary of the scene and circumstances surrounding any death.
Identifies and completes comprehensive searches of next-of-kin and organizes notification of the next-of-kin based on state statutes.
Reports all work-related deaths to OSHA.
Identifies and reports cases eligible for tissue and/or organ donation and refers the cases to the local organ procurement organization.
Orders required identification records at the direction of the Medical Examiner, Chief Medical Investigator, or his/her designees.
Arranges transportation services for decedents where jurisdiction is assumed and examination is requested or required.
Provides information to the Medical Examiner to aid in the ruling of cause, manner, as well as information regarding contributing factors to the death.
Communicates with the Chief Medical Investigator and the Chief Medical Examiner regarding complicated death investigations.
Conducts doll reenactments on cases of infant deaths where such reenactments are needed to determine cause and/or manner of death.
Presents case findings to all allied authorities such as the police and the District Attorney upon request.
Testifies in civil and criminal court including preparation and conferences.
Maintains the integrity and professionalism of the office.
Verifies, signs and forwards appropriate forms to the proper officials.
Maintains records for all deaths, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
Ensures proper chain of evidence.
Reviews all incomplete and/or pending cases for accuracy and completeness as required.
Releases evidence to the appropriate investigating law enforcement agency.
Represents office at meetings or on committees with other offices, departments, or agencies.
Speaks directly with the public.
Coordinates dissemination of information and findings of investigations to family, friends, law enforcement agencies and the public in accordance with Medical Examiner Office (MEO) policies.
Acts as a liaison to the bereaved: answers questions, advises, makes referrals, provides support, etc.
Coordinates with funeral homes for disposition of remains and associated property in accordance to MEO policies.
Joins the regional mortuary operational response group to assist with mass disaster preparedness and response.
Coordinates with the investigating law enforcement agency for the processing of homicides and/or suspicious deaths.
Creates learning point presentations based on a variety of medical conditions and how the condition(s) relate to death investigation, presenting them to the investigations unit.
Assists in development and implementation of training of Medicolegal Death Investigator I staff and provides ongoing mentoring as needed (Investigator II).
Creates presentations to aid in specialized training of the investigative staff (Investigator II).
Leads the daily shift meeting, providing updates and feedback to staff (Investigator II).
Provides training and education to various outside agencies on work-related procedures and issues through the use of current resources and information (Investigator II).
Attends and presents at conferences and/or job fairs (Investigator II).
Monitors investigative supplies and is in charge of the vehicle fleet (Investigator II).
Determines what cases need to be reported out to external agencies (Carbon monoxide, OSHA, VAERS, Hypo- and Hyperthermia, Infant Loss, etc.) and extensively investigate cases with minimal direction (Investigator II).
Has a broad range of medical knowledge and has an effective understanding of how various medical diagnoses play a role in the cause and manner of death (Investigator II).
Acts as a mentor within the division (Investigator III).
Ensures compliance with all applicable health and safety standards and good laboratory practices (Investigator III).
Provides guidance in constant improvement activities related to medicolegal death investigations (Investigator III).
Assists in training new investigator personnel (Investigator III).
Assists the Chief Medical Investigator and the Deputy Chief Investigator in the hiring, training, and education of other medicolegal death investigators (Investigator III).
Provides backup and on-call activities, as needed (Investigator III).
Creates specialized training materials for other medicolegal death investigators (Investigator III).
Assists in the education of outside agencies (Investigator III).
Ensures that family members are aware of the support services available to them (Investigator III).
Coordinates release of evidence to investigating agencies (Investigator III).