Medicolegal Death Investigator Assistant

Position Title: Medicolegal Death Investigator (MDI) Assistant

Department or Program Overview: The Columbia County Medical Examiner's Division (CCMED) strives to encompass diverse disciplines united in the focus of conducting thorough investigation of death scenes. The main purpose of the CCMED is to determine the cause and manner of death and to clarify the circumstances surrounding death. The Columbia County Medical Examiner's Division works in conjunction with the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office of Clackamas, Oregon, who performs autopsies and other postmortem examinations as an important part of the death investigation process. We are looking for individuals to join our collaborative team to provide compassionate service to the people of Columbia County.

The Medicolegal Death Investigator (MDI) Assistant learns to conduct effective and efficient investigations for deaths that are within the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner and is responsible for administrative and investigatory follow-up work.

General Statement of Duties:

• Receives notification of deaths from agencies and outside parties and determines if jurisdiction is within the Medical Examiner's criteria.
• Work alongside our Medicolegal Death Investigators during death investigations. You will be responding to death scenes, assisting with body manipulation/lifting, specimen collection, and requesting and filing records. Volunteers will be exposed to decomposition, insects, and adverse environments.
• Investigates the physical and medical aspects of natural death by telephone when appropriate. Prepare written reports of phone reported deaths.
• Obtains and reviews medical histories and records from private physicians or health care agencies.
• Communicates and consults with law enforcement personnel, funeral homes, and other agencies to expedite disposition of the case.
• Attends various training programs to maintain high standards and implement new methods of investigations.

Qualifications:

• 18 years or older.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Ability to maintain composure under high stress situations and remain empathetic.
• Experience performing clerical duties in an office environment.
• Previous experience with law enforcement, medical field, or deathcare industry preferred.

Position Reports To: Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator

Expectations: Be reliable, act responsibly and with integrity, be accountable for your actions, carry out duties according to the position description, be committed to Columbia County and your tour of service, undertake training as required, ask for support when needed, be courteous to the public, staff, other volunteers, and value and support other team members.

This office functions 24/7/365 with shift work that may fall on weekends and holidays. Shifts are flexible but, volunteers are asked to commit to at least two 24 hours a month. Shifts consist of in office hours Monday thru Friday, 08:30am to 5:00pm and on call status during the evenings and overnight.

On call status requires availability to answer phone calls after hours, respond to scenes with the MDI as needed.

Working Conditions: The work is performed both indoors and outdoors in a variety of environments and in all weather conditions. Duties may involve strenuous physical activity, extensive sitting/standing, or computer time, as well as exposure to unpleasant elements at death scenes. Frequent exposure to biological hazards.

Additional Training: Volunteer Orientation training will be provided.

Benefits to Volunteering for this position: Columbia County understands volunteering allows citizens to give back to their community in meaningful ways and is a critical resource to the county. As an Assistant to the Medicolegal Investigator, participants gain excellent experience in working within field of forensics. It also provides an opportunity to explore career options, gain knowledge and skills that complement their academic studies, build resumes and network with professionals in the death investigation environment.