Medical Examiner Investigator

Job Title: Medicolegal (Medical) Death Investigator I

Johnson County Health & Environment department is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of a Medicolegal (Medical) Death Investigator I. This role is located at 11894 South Sunset Drive, Olathe, KS.

Job Summary:

The Death Investigator I will assist the Chief Medical Investigator with investigations of sudden and unexpected deaths. This position will provide written and oral reports regarding investigation findings and will primarily take reports of death from home, respond to death scenes as needed, and conduct the acceptance of the individual into the office from the transport company when applicable.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responds promptly to various death scenes and acts as primary official in charge of the body, personal effects, 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 the same; investigates deaths involving a communicable disease; completes testing of suspected deaths related to communicable diseases; reports communicable disease deaths to the local Department of Health and Environment to assist in the implementation of control and preventative measures to reduce the impact in the community.
• Prepares a comprehensive report detailing the necessary case demographics and a summary of the scene and circumstances surrounding any death occurring under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner, utilizing hospital records, interviews with relatives, friends, and other contacts, and other information as needed. 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 (Midwest Transplant Network).
• At the direction of the Medical Examiner, Chief Medical Investigator, or his/her designees, orders required identification records. Independently 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; uses established policies and procedures to facilitate this responsibility; and 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.
• Upon request, presents case findings to all allied authorities such as the police and the District Attorney; testifies in civil and criminal court including preparation and conferences; maintains the integrity and professionalism of the same; verifies, signs, and forwards appropriate forms to the proper officials; maintains these records for all deaths; ensures the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the same; ensures proper chain of evidence; and 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.
• Works irregular shifts, including weekends, nights, evenings, holidays, and on-call as needed with the possibility for overtime on short notice. Works during adverse weather conditions, with excessive heat or below freezing temperatures in stormy conditions while working outside or driving to the location of death. Working potentially mass disaster-like situations in hazardous conditions. Attends scenes where there are potential chemical, biological, physical hazards including, but not limited to, fentanyl and other drug substances, downed power lines, bodies of water, tear gas, hoarding, insects, rodents, contagious diseases, bloodborne pathogens, mold, asbestos, confined spaces, heights, and dilapidated structures. Investigators will have to attend scenes containing varying degrees of human and/or non-human decomposition.

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.
• BASIC Certification with the American Board of Medicolegal Investigators (ABMDI) is preferred.
• The ideal candidate must possess knowledge and skills in digital photography; dealing with distraught, upset, and violent family members, friends, and witnesses.

Physical, Environmental, and Special Working Conditions:

• Sensory abilities, including special vision and/or hearing requirements related to examinations of death scenes and decedents at those scenes.
• Excessive standing and/or walking: 25%.
• Bending over and/or kneeling: 20%.
• Exposures to extreme temperatures, and/or fumes, chemicals, and/or heights.
• Lifting: up to 125lbs.
• Pushing, pulling, or rolling: up to 150lbs.
• On call/stand-by work required.
• Shift work.
• Safety-sensitive job.
• Weather Essential job: Department and County Essential.
• Uniform required.
• Must provide TB status and current Hepatitis B vaccination records prior to employment or obtain within six months.
• All County employees may be called upon to assist other departments in a declared emergency situation.
• Johnson County Government requires reference/background screening for all positions. Specified criteria may vary by Department/Agency.

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