Medicolegal (Medical) Death Investigator III (Individual Contributor VII)

A career with Johnson County Government is more than just a job, it is an opportunity to serve a diverse and expanding community in meaningful ways. We challenge ourselves to be a different kind of government because we care deeply about our community and each other. Committed to our shared values, we provide excellent public service, seeking always to improve ourselves and our organization. We offer wonderful benefits, retirement plans, wellness incentives, a great organizational culture, and much more! If you’re searching for something more than just a job, something akin to a calling, then consider the challenge and opportunity of being a member of Johnson County Government!

ohnson County Health & Environment department is looking for a qualified candidate to fill the position of a Full-time Medicolegal (Medical) Death Investigator III.

The Death Investigator III will assist the Chief Medical Investigator with investigations of sudden and unexpected deaths. This position will develop and evaluate information obtained from observations, interviews, and reviews of various records. This position will also 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. The position is located at 11894 South Sunset Drive, Olathe, KS 66061.

This position will remain open until 9:00 PM, September 23, 2024.

Other essential duties will include:

• 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; identifies and determines jurisdiction of a case, with consulutation of the on-call pathologist as needed; ensures the proper handling of the body in accordance with established statutes, policies, and procedures; ensures proper receipt and disposition of all evidence and personal effects.
• Establishes jurisdiction and conducts an independent and thorough investigation of all deaths which are under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner including: sudden, unexplained, unusual or suspicious deaths; work-related deaths; deaths of individuals less than 18 years of age; in-custody deaths; deaths with a cause noted to be of public interest; homicides, suicides, accidental, and undetermined manners of death; deaths when the decedent was in apparent health; deaths when the decedent was not regularly attended by a licensed physician; or when a physician refuses to sign the death certificate; 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 communicable disease; completes testing of suspected deaths related to communicable diseases; communicates findings 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 electronic 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. Identifies and locates 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. Arranges transportation services for decedents where jurisdiction is assumed and examination is requested or required; provides information to the Medical Examiner or his/her designee 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 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 forms to the proper officials; maintains these records for all deaths; ensures the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the same; ensures proper chain of custody; and reviews incomplete and/or pending cases for accuracy and completeness; releases evidence to the appropriate investigating law enforcement agency.
• Coordinates with the investigating law enforcement agency for the processing of homicides and/or suspicious deaths. Coordinates dissemination of information to family, friends, law enforcement agencies and the public in accordance with Medical Examiner's Office 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 with MEO policies; joins the regional mortuary operational response group to assist with mass disaster preparedness and response.ensures that family members are aware of the support services available to them; coordinates release of evidence to investigating agencies.
• Acts as a mentor within the division; ensures compliance with all applicable health and safety standards and good laboratory practices; provides guidance in constant improvement activities related to medicolegal death investigations; assists in training new investigator personnel; assists the Chief Medical Investigator and the Deputy Chief Investigator in the hiring, training, and education of other medicolegal death investigators; provide backup and on-call activities, as needed; creates specialized training materials for other medicolegal death investigators; assists in the education of outside agencies; leads the daily shift meeting and provide feedback to staff; attends and presents at conferences and/or job fairs; monitors investigative supplies and the fleet.
• 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, bodied 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.

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.

Four (4) years of full-time experience as a medical death investigator is also required.

*Experience can be substituted for education.

The ideal candidate must possess knowledge and skills in digital photography; dealing with distraught, upset and violent family members, friends and witnesses; the ability to operate computer equipment and use software programs to complete required paperwork, reports, and email correspondence. Have knowledge of and applicable laws, statutes, and chain of custody requirements; medical terminology, human anatomy, investigation techniques, and methods, particularly as they relate to a death investigation and of prescription medications and their uses.