This is a .9 FTE position.
Under the general direction of the Medical Examiner and the Chief Deputy Medical Examiner, collaboratively investigates deaths to determine the apparent cause and manner of death, determine jurisdiction, and determine disposition of the body, in accordance with state laws governing the office of the Medical Examiner.
Essential Duties and Responsibilitiesinclude the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Responds to death calls, protects and takes charge of the body in a manner that is respectful of the deceased and is consistent with the preservation of evidence.
Performs the death scene investigation; confirms or assists with determining the identity of the deceased person; makes necessary examinations and inquiries, as needed, to determine cause and manner of death, including, but not limited to: obtains personal information and medical history of the deceased by examining available documents and records, and interviews relatives, friends, and acquaintances of the decedent; assists in the determination of the need for law enforcement, District Attorney, crime lab, etc.; administers death notification and pronouncements; documents death scene; and controls the removal of the body from the death scene.
Collects, maintains and appropriately transfers evidence; may obtain samples and specimens of human remains for laboratory analysis; assists in the scheduling of pathological, toxicological, or medicolegal examinations and other tests, including autopsies, and may accompany body to and observe the autopsy; investigates cause and manner of death and photographs all bodies for cremation.
Takes possession of any object, article or record, which may be useful in establishing the cause and manner of death.
Notifies next of kin in person, by telephone as necessary or in conjunction with other law enforcement and judicial agencies; responds to family questions and concerns over deceased individuals.
Related duties will include examining, photographically recording, reviewing certifications of the cause and manner of death of deceased persons for the purpose of issuing Cremation Permits.
Upon request of Court or District Attorney, may review and or present physical examinations and tests incident to any matter of criminal nature up for consideration before the Court or District Attorney.
Provides court testimony, as needed. May testify as a factual witness when requested pertaining to the facts and observations made during initial investigation, physical examination and any other tasks performed. Shall testify as an expert for either the court or the state in all matters where the examinations or tests have been made.
Issues cremation and disinterment permits. Completes and signs the Medical Certification for deaths reportable under state law and county policies.
Produces and maintains accurate records and reports on all cases reported to the Medical Examiner’s Office, including, but not limited to: narrative of investigations, photographic media, medical records, law enforcement reports, and autopsy protocol and specimens. Issues autopsy, toxicology and coroner reports to appropriate agencies. Maintains confidentiality of records and information obtained during investigations in accordance with State and Federal law.
Advocate for the deceased by preserving dignity and safeguarding property.
Shall act as Deputy Medical Examiner/deputy coroner in another County when requested and authorized by the Calumet County Medical Examiner.
It is unlikely an employee will perform all the duties listed on a regular basis, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense it covers all the duties that an employee maybe required to perform. The examples are merely indicative, not restrictive.
Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and Experience
Registered Nurse, LPN, paramedic, chemistry, biology, medicine, pre-med, forensic science, criminal justice, police science, or closely related field are preferred. Continuing education sponsored by the Wisconsin Coroners and Medical Examiners Association, State of Wisconsin and/or other agencies will be encouraged as part of continued employment.
Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze and interpret complex documents; ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints; ability to use tact and courtesy in dealing with employees, supervisors, other county and outside agencies, and the public; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to utilize reference, descriptive, consulting, and other related information such as legal briefs, medical records, toxicology and autopsy reports, x-rays, police reports, professional literature and medical reference texts, maps, state statutes, and death certificates.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to determine whether conditions of death are suspicious and warrant further investigation; ability to gather facts, clues, and draw logical conclusions from such data; ability to prepare accurate records and reports in accordance with State and County regulations; ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity required in situations involving directions and control; ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems; ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc.); ability to deal with a variety of both abstract and concrete variables.
Computer Skills
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of word processing, database entry and file transfers.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Must hold a valid Wisconsin Driver’s license and have access to personal transportation.
Other Skills and Abilities
Comprehensive knowledge of the statutes governing the position of the Medical Examiner.
Ability to, based on accepted medical procedures and in consultation with others as needed determine the cause of death to a reasonable degree of medical certainty.
Considerable knowledge of human anatomy, medical and legal terminology, plus practices of medicine as it pertains to death and varying forms of trauma.
Good knowledge of investigative techniques, principles, and practices used to research the cause and manner of death; and the principles, practices, and procedures of pathology.
Ability to perform analysis including the interpretation of a death scene, identifying items of evidence, and assessing the condition of the body.
Ability to prepare and present accurate, objective and thorough reports; and maintain security of all case records.
Ability to establish and maintain a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationships.
Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and listen. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and smell. The employee must lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Ability to access the body in the location found, when responding to death calls, which may include walking long distances, climbing terrain, and using equipment to access the deceased.
Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in areas with security measures in place. The employee is often exposed to blood borne pathogens and frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. Scheduled work hours may include variable shifts of consecutive hours. Typical shifts will involve 11-12 hours of assigned coverage time. Shift time is defined as being available to respond in person within a reasonable amount of time (typically 30-60 minutes) to a death scene as determined by the specific circumstances of the request. Response by phone may be appropriate as circumstances warrant.
Ability to work under unsafe and uncomfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as temperatures and noise extremes, traffic hazards, toxic agents/chemicals or disease can cause discomfort and where there is a risk of injury.
Travel may be required through unfamiliar regions of the County, in all types of weather conditions, at any time, day or night when a death call is received.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
