Medicolegal Death Investigator

Port Washington, WI

Part Time

Medical Examiners Office

Entry Level

Part-Time, On-Call
Starting Pay: $30.36 - $32.90 with stand-by pay

Job Summary
The Medical Examiner’s Office responds to reports of death 365 days a year (including evenings, overnight, weekends and holidays), Medicolegal Death Investigators are used to fill vacancies when the coroner is not available and when there are simultaneous calls for service. Medicolegal Death Investigators assist the coroner in the carrying out of all duties of a death investigation.

The Ozaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office operates under the statuary obligation of determining cause and manner of death along with the obligation of identifying deceased individuals and locating and notifying legal next of kin. The Medicolegal Death Investigators determines the manner of death through an investigative process using deductive and inductive reasoning skills to draw conclusions based on existing knowledge, prior experience and available evidence. In cases of sudden or unattended death that is caused by an accident, homicide, suicide, overdose or suspicious circumstances, the Deputy Medical Examiner relies on the expertise of a forensic pathologist to provide cause of death from a medical standpoint.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities
The following duties are primarily performed and are essential for this position. Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully with or without reasonable accommodations to be qualified for the position. Other duties may be required and assigned.

80% Death Investigations:
Pronounces, Determines cause / manner of death (accidental, homicide, natural, or suicide)
Upon dispatch, the Deputy Medical Examiner responds to scene to pronounce and determine time and circumstances of death.

Conducts the initial investigation which involves:

Evaluates scene through photographic and written documentation Medical Examiner Worksheet.
Consults with Medical Examiner and keeps comprised of evolving investigation.
Records and retains statements as needed from first responders, witnesses, healthcare providers and family.
Photographs the body, identifying features such as hair color, eye color, scars, and tattoos are recorded.
Examines body for trace evidence. Where appropriate, the body is searched, and clothing and property are documented and removed.
In cases of suspicious deaths, paper bags are placed securely over the hands to preserve gun shot, drug residue or assailant DNA during transit.
Outlines the scope and course of a death investigation, determines whether to perform an autopsy, toxicology, or if other laboratory tests are needed.
Preserves and documents evidence, ensures the safety of those involved: removes and bags needles and/or clothing that could contain drug residue.
Establishes Decedent Identification.
Notifies the next of kin.
Places identifying information on toe tag and body bag.
Secures and prepares the body and personal belongings for transport to the morgue, ME’s office or release to local funeral home.

Additional follow-up is often required and noted in section below.

20% Investigation Follow Up (Phone Inquiries/Notifications/Coordination):
Colleague Interactions:

Intakes data from deaths that occur at Medical facilities and determine Medical Examiner involvement.
Collects medical records & history.
Confers with Physicians.
Communicates with Next of Kin throughout death investigation.
Coordinates transports to/from scene, to/from Morgue and to/from ME office.
Corresponds with Milwaukee ME Office.
Authorizes Harvesting via Donor Network.
Supplies toxicology and autopsy reports to DA/law enforcement agencies.
Testifies in civil and criminal court cases when necessary.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Minimum Education Qualifications

Education and/or Experience Requirements:

High school diploma.
Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic with 2,000 hours of documented field, preferred.
Human anatomy and physiology knowledge, preferred,
Medical terminology, preferred.

work experience.

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:

Must have a valid Wisconsin Driver’s License.
Must successfully pass criminal background check and preemployment physical.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Qualifications
In order to perform the functions and responsibilities of the position (listed above) the following knowledge, skills, and abilities are essential.

Must be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year unless proper replacement is available and reported to dispatch/paging agency.
Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and access to personal transportation, or other reliable means of city and rural travel on a 24-hour basis.
Knowledge of the statutory duties affecting the Medical Examiner’s Office, methods of conducting death investigations, and supervisory techniques.
Ability to establish and maintain effective public relations and working relationships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Ability to exercise judgment and make independent decisions to oversee the work of staff, communicate effectively orally and in writing and interact effectively with co-workers and the general public.

In evaluating candidates for this position, Ozaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms. Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision.

Work Environment

Work requires operating motor vehicles. This may involve driving in inclement weather conditions.
Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
Work may require working in dangerous situations.
Work requires wearing specialized personal protective equipment.
May be subject to exposure to blood/body fluids and infectious and communicable diseases in various environments.

EOE / ADA Statement

Ozaukee County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Ozaukee County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement or affect the at-will nature of the employment arrangement between the employee and company and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Ozaukee County offers a generous benefits package including: health, dental, life, & vision insurance; free employee health clinic & Teladoc; paid holidays, vacation, & sick time; state of Wisconsin WRS defined benefit pension program; bonus opportunities; employee fitness room; wellness program & wellness reimbursement; tuition reimbursement & continuing education opportunities; and more! Please note some that benefits offered are dependent on full-time/part-time status.

Ozaukee County prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, disability, genetics, veteran status or military service, marital status or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic or status protected by federal, state or local laws. Ozaukee County also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws.

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Medicolegal Death Investigator

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