Lead Medicolegal Death Investigator

Full Time/ Non- Exempt Position

Starting Wage $32.87-$41.99

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 (MDI) are used to fill vacancies when the Medical Examiner is not available and when there are simultaneous calls for service. The Lead Medicolegal Death Investigators is the lead investigator under the Medical Examiner. The Lead MDI assumes Medical Examiner daily activities in the absence of the Medical Examiner.

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 Lead Medicolegal Death Investigator 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 Lead Medicolegal Death Investigator 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.

30% Death Investigations:

Pronounces death, Determines cause / manner of death (accidental, homicide, natural, or suicide)

Upon dispatch, the Lead MDI responds to scene to pronounce death and investigate circumstances of death.

Conducts the initial investigation which involves:

• Evaluates scene through photographic and written documentation and utilizes an electronic case management system for maintaining all reports and photographs pertaining to the investigation
• Consults with Medical Examiner and keeps comprised of evolving investigation
• Obtains pertinent case information by interviewing first responders, witnesses, healthcare providers and family
• Conducts an external body examination using photograph and written documentation
• 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/Tyvek 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 as required by law
• Preserves and documents evidence, ensures the safety of those involved: removes and bags needles and/or clothing that could contain drug residue
• Establishes Positive Decedent Identification through scientific method if necessary
• Notifies the next of kin or assists with the search for next of kin when necessary
• 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
• Exercises the authority to determine the official cause and manner of death (natural, accidental, homicide, suicide, or undetermined) based on investigative findings, evidence, and consultation with the Medical Examiner and forensic pathologists as necessary, and has the authority to sign the death certificate
  
  

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 jurisdiction
• Collects and reviews medical records and history, consulting with attending or primary care physicians to identify factors contributing to the death
• 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 organ donation via Donor Network
• Supplies toxicology and autopsy reports to DA/law enforcement agencies
• Testifies in civil and criminal court cases when necessary
  
  

30% Cremation Requests and Permits

Assists the Medical Examiner with Funeral Home requests for cremation permits

• Obtaining Cremation Request Forms from Funeral Homes
• Scheduling/coordinates views with Funeral Homes determining location and time
• Perform external body examination and photography of the body for every view
• Input all information obtained in the electronic case management system
• Reviews the signed death certificate to ensure there are no discrepancies or suspicion of unnatural causes of death.
• Once all documentation is verified the Cremation Permit may be signed by the Lead MDI or Medical Examiner and issued to the requesting funeral home.
  
  

10% Team Management and Supervision:

• Supervises, coordinates, and directs the action of MDI as requested under the direction of the Medical Examiner
• Reviews investigative reports
• Directs educational and training programs for staff members and law enforcement agencies and others as requested under the direction of the Medical Examiner
  
  

10% Morgue Operations and Other Duties:

• Maintains morgue admission and releases to/from Morgue, other ME offices, and funeral homes
• Maintain vehicle cleanliness and stocking of ME vans and cots
• Assist the Medical Examiner in maintaining finances and logs at the discretion of the Medical Examiner
  
  

Supervision Exercised

Supervises Medicolegal Death Investigators in the absence of the Medical Examiner.

Minimum Education Qualifications

Education and/or Experience Requirements:

• High school diploma
• Requires 3-5 years’ experience of death investigations
• Requires demonstrated knowledge of medical terminology, medicine as it pertains to death and varying forms of trauma, such as training as a nurse, medical technician, Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic with 2,000 hours of documented field work experience, or surgical assistant/technician
• Using medical and legal investigative techniques and procedures in a setting consistent with the duties of the position
• Dealing with the modes and manners of death and its medical manifestations with regard to the body, scene, and history
  
  

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:

• Must have a valid Wisconsin Driver’s License
• Must successfully pass criminal background check and preemployment physical
• Must have an ABMDI certification
  
  

Candidates must meet these requirements or possess a combination of similar education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position.

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.
• Must commit to monthly on-call hours including daytime, evening, weekends, and holidays
• 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, 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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