Medical Examiner Investigator - On Call
Company: Pottawattamie County, IA
Location: Council Bluffs
Posted on: April 19, 2024
|
|
Job Description:
Salary: $25.00 Hourly
Location : Council Bluffs, IA
Job Type: Casual - On Call
Job Number: 2024-0021
Department: Medical Examiner
Opening Date: 04/16/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
ANNOUNCEMENT & PURPOSE OF POSITION
The Pottawattamie County Medical Examiner's Office is announcing
the hiring of on-call Medical Examiner Investigators.
Individuals in this position are responsible for the investigation
of sudden deaths which are unexpected, unnatural, suspicious, or
violent in nature. Acts as a liaison to law enforcement and other
investigative agencies, families of the decedents, and the general
public.
This is an on-call investigator position. Incumbents work at the
discretion of the Director Chief Medical Examiner Investigator,
Chief Deputy Medical Examiner Investigator, and County Medical
Examiner.
Reliable attendance when assigned to on-call status is required of
this position. When on-call, incumbent must be able to respond to
the scene of a call, anywhere in Pottawattamie County, within 45
minutes, to investigate a death.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to
be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be
required and assigned.
Receives calls reporting deaths from police, medical, or other
sources and handles calls according to established policies and
procedures.
Investigates the cause and manner of death consistent with state
statute; which may include visiting death scene, drawing diagrams,
taking photographs, interviewing witnesses, family members, primary
care physician, law enforcement or other pertinent individuals to
obtain information about circumstances surrounding death.
Performs external examinations and specimen draws.
Examines evidence at scene to establish an initial assessment of
the cause and manner of death.
Orders autopsies when necessary, under the discretion of the
Medical Examiner.
Assists with decedent identification by examining the body and
death scene.
Collects and preserves physical evidence in accordance with the
established chain of custody procedures.
Notifies next of kin personally or in conjunction with other law
enforcement and judicial agencies.
Arranges removal of decedents from death scenes and ensures
transportation to funeral home or morgue.
Prepares written investigative reports on investigative findings
and observations. Contacts physicians and medical facilities to
obtain medical information pertinent to death investigation.
Responsible for entering information into database; prepare and
file reports, certificates and other similar documents.
Assists funeral home in obtaining cremation permits and provides
information relevant to death certificate.
Serves as liaison with law enforcement agencies, coordinating
exchange of information regarding cases.
Consults with Medical Examiners regarding necessary follow-up
information required for case investigation.
Respond to inquiries from family members of the deceased,
investigative agencies, medical personnel and general public.
Help facilitate organ donation in applicable cases.
Testify in both civil and criminal courts when subpoenaed.
Attend work-related meetings/required trainings and professional
development opportunities to keep well informed on trends and
procedures in death field investigations.
Establish effective working relationships with Medical
professionals, City/County governmental officials, law enforcement
agencies, fire departments and the general public.
Perform other duties as directed or as the situation dictates.
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described
here are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent
to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is performed in indoor and outdoor environments and requires
that the incumbent have and maintain the physical and mental
stamina to perform death investigations and
must be willing to accept the physical and mental discomforts
inherent in the work. Must be able to maintain focus and provide an
adequate work product during long periods of sleep deprivation. An
incumbent is exposed to crime scenes which may have been of a
violent nature and can be exposed to bodily fluids and biohazards
on an occasional basis. The incumbent must be able to work
effectively under high emotional stress.
An incumbent must have mobility of both arms and legs with the
ability to move around the work area unassisted. Must have the
ability and range of flexibility to climb stairs, ditches, maneuver
uneven ground, etc., kneel, crawl, jump, twist, reach overhead,
reach below knees, and to bend over or squat down to perform job
functions. Must have the ability to stand or sit for extended
periods of time.
An incumbent must have the manual dexterity in their hands to make
handwritten notations and which permits use of a keyboard and to
pick up small items, hand instruments and implements. Must have a
sense of feeling in their hands and fingers to take a pulse rate.
Must physically lift, roll, turn or move bodies. Must be able to
lift, push, pull and carry supplies weighing up to 20 pounds on a
frequent basis. Must be able to push, pull, lift and/or carry up to
75 to 100 pounds on an occasional basis.
Reliable attendance when assigned to on-call status is required of
this position. Work hours are not consistent, and the incumbent
will be required to be on call and may perform duties at all hours
of the day or night, weekends, and holidays. Noise level can be
moderate to intense. Vision abilities, correctable to normal
ranges, include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and
the ability to adjust focus and perform duties at night. Frequently
uses peripheral vision to observe and monitor multiple performs and
activity.
Communication abilities include the ability to talk and hear within
normal ranges. The incumbent is required to listen to multiple
audible inputs simultaneously. Constantly uses voice to communicate
as a result, clear diction and audible volume is required.
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY
Knowledge and ability to apply laws, policies, procedures and
protocols of death investigations.
Knowledge of the legal provisions concerning collection and
admission of evidence in court.
Knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, medical terminology,
forensic pathology, police & forensic science, pharmacology and
emergency medical services.
Skill in identification and assessment of wounds to the human
body.
Skill in photography, fingerprinting and other identification
techniques.
Effective written and oral communication skills; ability to
interview relevant parties during stressful conditions.
Computer and related technology skills required; must be proficient
in the use of Microsoft office including word, excel and outlook;
must be able to upload and send digital photos, reports and related
information to appropriate parties.
Adequate typing skills.
Ability to view situations with objectivity and the ability to
conduct several investigations simultaneously.
Must be detail oriented and have the ability to accurately compile
reports for submission to the PCMEO.
Ability to follow written and verbal directions and to complete
assigned tasks on schedule.
Ability to work independently or as part of a team and interact
appropriately with others.
Ability to perform routine office/clerical functions and to operate
standard office equipment.
Ability to quickly analyze, retain composure, and apply procedures
utilizing sound independent judgment and actions in stressful
situations, occasionally in dangerous environments.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information as
appropriate.
Display high standards of ethical conduct, honesty, and
integrity.
Work and communicate with others in a polite, courteous, and
cooperative manner and is committed to quality service.
Ability to drive in inclement weather conditions and/or at
night.
ESSENTIAL EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND/OR LICENSES
Preferred:
Graduation from a four (4) year college or university with major
coursework in nursing, medicine, or other health related field, and
two (2) years experience as a licensed or certified nurse or
medical care provider, or any equivalent combination of training
and experience that will have provided the required knowledge,
skills, and abilities.
Required:
Must successfully complete the St. Louis University School of
Medicine's Basic Death Investigation course and obtain American
Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) certification as
well as others deemed necessary to fulfill the requirements of the
job in a time frame established by the employer.
Must have a valid driver's license and maintain it during the
course of employment. Must have available transportation during
on-call periods. Must be insurable under county liability
coverage.
Must have a personal cellular telephone and be able to access the
internet from home work location.
Appointment must be approved by the State Medical Examiner.
* Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) Eligible
* No other County benefits provided
Keywords: Pottawattamie County, IA, Council Bluffs , Medical Examiner Investigator - On Call, Healthcare , Council Bluffs, Iowa
Click
here to apply!
|