Death Investigator, Laboratory, Winston Campus

Position Highlights:

• Schedule: The hours are 8-5p M-F with periodic call weekends (remote) and some holidays.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences, Criminal Justice, Nursing, or a related field and one year experience in investigations is preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Preferential consideration will be given to applicants with grant writing experience.

Licensure, Certification and/or Registration:

• Registered Medicolegal Death Investigator by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) preferred or fills the requirements to become registered within five years of hire.
• Obtain and maintain a valid applicable state driver's license without restrictions.
• Maintains a favorable background investigation.

Essential Functions:

• Reviews death information to determine whether the death requires a medicolegal examination/autopsy.
• Acquires pertinent medical records/other official documents related to deaths, provides follow-up investigation for accepted cases, attends death scenes within the service's coverage area, and follows scene guidelines to insure adequate documentation of the decedent.
• Develops and updates policies related to investigative procedures.
• Performs external examinations in-house and at scenes.
• Aids in identification of the decedent if identity is unknown, contacts the decedent's next-of-kin or appropriate representative for death information or disposition of the body.
• Handles and secures evidence collected at the death scene and autopsy according to protocols.
• Completes autopsy forms, toxicology forms, report of investigation forms, death certificates and other pertinent paperwork related to the investigative process according to protocol.
• Provides phone coverage for the autopsy service and receiving and releasing bodies to funeral home representatives or other appropriate party.
• Attends various appropriate training programs to maintain high standards and implement new methods of investigations. Improves work skills through self-study and continuing education.
• Contributes to the smooth and efficient operation of the section and department.
• Protects self, coworkers and facility by following approved policies and procedures to prevent the spread of bloodborne and/or airborne diseases.
• Exhibits and promotes the professional image of laboratories in accordance with hospital, department, and professional society philosophies, goals and standards of laboratory testing.
• Provides maximum care in identification procedures when processing documents and labeling specimen containers and releasing bodies to funeral homes.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Ability to travel at a moment's notice (24 hours a day) within the state of applicable state.
• Ability to move approximately 100 pounds and able to assist in moving heavier objects/bodies.
• Ability to perform assigned duties while working with decedents who died from natural/non-natural causes of death and in all phases of decomposition.
• Extremely pungent odors are common.
• Maintains confidentiality throughout process.
• Knowledge of Federal, State and local laws regarding deaths and human remains.
• Strict compliance with office policies and procedures.
• Operates required equipment in a safe and lawful manner for protection/safety of public, self and other employees.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, government agencies, outside organizations, the news media, and the public.
• Knowledge of crime scene investigation procedures, evidence collection and transfer techniques.
• Ability to listen and communicate effectively especially when interacting with grieving families.
• Knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and medical terminology.
• Skill in operating digital camera.
• Computer skills with familiarity using electronic medical record, CoPath, Mysys, and Microsoft Office.

Work Environment:

• Subject to irregular hours – requires working 1st shift, extended hours, on- call hours, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Exposure to risk of bloodborne/airborne diseases.
• Exposure to hazards for electrical/mechanical/power equipment.
• Possible exposure to odorous chemicals and specimens.
• Subject to injury from hot or moving parts of equipment.
• Moderate noise environment.
• Subject to many interruptions and stressful situations.
• Subject to cuts.