Unpaid Intern State Medical Examiner

Job Description

This is a non-merit, NON-PAID internship position.

Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

Summary

The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner will be offering an investigative internship opportunity this coming summer for students currently enrolled in an undergraduate college program in a related field. This program will provide students with an overview of the Iowan Medical Examiner system with opportunities to shadow forensic pathologists and death investigators, attend talks on specific areas of the field, contribute to an over arching project, and complete an individual project culminating in a final presentation.

If this internship will be used for college credit, accommodations can be made in order to reach hours required if hours are greater than what has already been scheduled. Paperwork outlining your college or university requirements will need to be provided to the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner prior to the start of the internship. Regular check-ins with your mentor will be held in order to assure that all requirements are being met.

Please note, due to the nature of the work being done, participants will be exposed to sensitive information and sights which some will find traumatic and disturbing. These can include, but are not limited to: medical records, autopsies, and tragic death scenarios. Participants will have a mentor to assist with work. They will be required to complete all aspects of the internship to receive credit.

Qualifications

Currently enrolled in a relevant and related undergraduate degree program at either a two or four year institution, and have completed one full year of coursework.

Or

Have completed a relevant and related undergraduate degree program at either a two or four year institution within the past year.

And

Have the ability to pass a background check.

Shift

Applicants must be available for the entirety of the internship program which will range from June 10, 2025 to July 31,2025. The intern will be scheduled to be in the office from 8:45 A.M. until 3:30 P.M., Tuesday through Thursday, with the option to come in Mondays and Fridays to work on their projects independently if desired. Working hours may flex depending on the topic of the day and/or the availability of presenters. The schedule is structured in order to allow students to complete outside course work or to work apart-time job during the course of the summer as this is an unpaid internship . Outside work schedules shall be provided to the participant's mentor at least two weeks out so proper accommodations can be made, if able.

Here Is What You Will Do In This Position

• Review and interpret police reports, paramedic reports, and county scene reports for use in office research and statistics.
• Conduct independent research related to the over arching project, which will be compiled into a final PowerPoint presentation to be given on their final day. This presentation, once approved, can be taken and used after the internship is complete in the form of a digital file.
• Shadow Autopsy Technicians and Forensic Pathologist as they complete autopsy examinations.
• Shadow medicolegal death investigators as they interview families, prepare evidence, and complete casework to be provided to the forensic pathologists.
• Participate in presentations given by investigators, autopsy technicians, and forensic pathologists on the different aspects of the field.
• Participate in mock scene investigations in order to be exposed to the different elements of field work.
  
  

What You Will Need To Succeed In This Position

• The ability to with confidential health and legal information in an appropriate manner.
• The ability to work with and cope with often times upsetting and traumatic cases.
• The ability to read and write in English
• The ability to be a self-starter, hold oneself accountable, and work independently while meeting deadlines.
• Students in programs focusing on forensic science, criminal justice, biology, and/or chemistry (or in a field related to those listed) are preferred.
• Applicants will be required to arrange for their own housing, food, and transportation from the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner
  
  

Disclosure

In the event that either party finds this program is not the correct fit for the participant, the IOSME reserves the right to terminate the program after formal review by its leadership team.

In the event that the IOSME finds that the program cannot be completed due to unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to mass disaster or injury to those running the program, significant effort will be made to allow for it to continue in some form at a later time. It is possible that the program would be terminated in its entirety if staffing or schedules to not allow for a re-schedule.

Credit cannot be given for an incomplete program.

Geographical Information

The position will be primarily based out of Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny IA.

To Apply

To be considered applicants will need to submit the following to Sue Miranda at sue.miranda@hhs.iowa.gov

• A resume (including GPA, relevant course work, and past experience
• One professional reference
• An essay addressing the following prompts in 500 words or less:
  
  

Explain a professional or academic problem that you have encountered and how you solved it. And, What do you expect/hope to gain from this internship experience?

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants for positions in this class must be currently enrolled students in a degree program at an accredited educational institution, as determined by the Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description .