Johnson County Department of Health and Environment is looking for a qualified candidate to fill the position of a Deputy Medical Examiner. This position is located at the Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office, 11894 S. Sunset Dr., Olathe, KS 66061. This position provides excellent benefits, including health insurance, wellness programs and discounts, retirement programs, and various other discount programs.
This position will serve as a Deputy Coroner and Deputy Medical Examiner and will serve as second in command to the Chief Medical Examiner. In the absence of the Chief Medical Examiner or in partnership with the Chief Medical Examiner, the Deputy will review information submitted regarding deaths in Johnson County and will determine whether an autopsy is required. The Deputy will conduct autopsies required, assure appropriate testing or specialty reviews, document cause and manner of death by thorough documentation and perform other responsibilities of the Chief Medical Examiner in the absence of that individual. This position will be on-call bi-weekly to provide guidance to the medicolegal death investigators; review and approve cremation permits; review and approve decline cases within a 24-hour period in accordance with NAME standards. This position will also manage the Forensic Autopsy Technicians and manage the student interns.
This position will remain open until filled.
Other duties include:
- Performs external examinations and autopsies and prepares reports of findings; examines microscopic and toxicological studies; reviews CT and x-ray imaging; determines the cause and manner of death of individuals under MEO jurisdiction; Reviews and approves cremation permits; completes the certification of death; reviews and approves decline cases within a 24-hours period as required by NAME accreditation standards; collects and preserves the chain of evidence; provides expert testimony in legal proceedings or hearings; is on-call biweekly to address questions of the medicolegal death investigators.
- Communicates findings and interpretations of autopsy findings to law enforcement agencies, lawyers, physicians, other professionals and members of decedents’ families; as needed, conducts scene investigations to obtain additional data.
- Manages Forensic Autopsy Technicians by assigning, reviewing, and evaluating the work of employees; monitors for adherence of relevant federal, state, and local laws as well as professional standards and guidelines; ensures compliance with all applicable health and safety standards and good laboratory practices; updates and/or develops the skills of the employees by developing, providing, or procuring training; motivates and counsels the employees; oversees autopsy staff scheduling and conducts formal performance evaluations; provides guidance and leadership in constant improvement activities related to forensic autopsies.
- Serve as education coordinator for student interns, medical students, residents, and/or pathology assistant students to foster education in forensic pathology. Help students develop topics for presentation and submissions for publications. Complete end of rotation evaluations.
- Represents the Medical Examiner's Office by attending and presenting at public and governmental meetings or conferences; providing technical education, guidance, and consultation to the department, the community and other agencies. Uses the knowledge obtained in examinations to promote education and research into the key public health problems facing the public, such as gun violence, drug overdose, suicide, etc.; Participates in the State Child Death Review Board as a subject matter expert.
- Performs duties of the coroner in accordance with provisions of K.S.A. 22a-226, et seq. and amendments thereto, in the absence of the Chief Medical Examiner/Coroner. Performs the administrative and personnel responsibilities in the absence of the Chief Medical Examiner.
- Develops, authors, and/or updates divisional policies, procedures, and mass fatality plans by reviewing and analyzing policies, procedures, and legislation; oversees the execution of modifications; prepares and presents recommended changes in operations and policies.
- Embraces Johnson County's Pillars of Performance and in partnership with the Chief Medical Examiner builds a culture that is congruent with county values and a high-performing organization; participates in short- and long-term strategic planning initiatives and related goals and objectives in conjunction with Department of Health & Environment's (DHE) departmental strategic plan; builds relationships with Funeral Homes, Emergency Medical Services, Law Enforcement agencies and other relevant community partners essential to the function and operation of the Medical Examiner Office and participates with and supports Metro partners in building response plans related to Mass Fatalities.
Job Duties includes:
- Conducts comprehensive clinical assessments as a part of the intake and diagnostic process, ongoing provision of services, and/or crisis intervention; identifies individual needs and diagnoses substance use and/or mental health disorders; assesses individual risk for suicide and other safety related concerns; determines the need for medication evaluation and referral; interprets and communicates relevant information to individuals, families, and other stakeholders.
- Develops complex treatment and intervention plans to address the clinical needs of individuals in single or multiple areas of focus; networks with other community agencies to research and coordinate a variety of resources and services to address comprehensive, intensive, or long term individual needs; encourages the establishment and maintenance of support systems; collaborates with other providers in the development, implementation, and review of plans.
- Provides psychotherapy and other clinical and therapeutic services for a designated case load of individuals, groups, and families with complex, intensive, or ongoing needs; ensures services provided are consistent with individual plans; initiates and attends individual and/ or group meetings and provides services in a community based setting; organizes and facilitates skill development, clinical, and support groups; responds to emergency or crisis related requests from individuals and/or agencies; arranges for appropriate care and services; reviews and updates diagnosis and level of care.
- Completes and submits clinical documentation regarding services provided; evaluates and documents individuals' progress according to measurable goals; reviews and approves documentation and plans of care developed by other staff to ensure services are consistent with the level of care required for each individual's needs; monitors the quality and effectiveness of services provided.
- Serves as the clinical expert on the treatment team by providing consultation to case managers, providing crisis intervention support for the team and serving as the back-up to the Team Leader.
