Death Investigator
At Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, we take pride in offering a dynamic and fulfilling work environment for our Death Investigator. Joining our team means becoming an essential part of a leading healthcare institution that is committed to providing exceptional patient care and advancing medical research.
Position Highlights:
- Department: Autopsy Laboratory
- Location: Winston Salem Medical Center
- Shift Schedule: Full Time Days - W/ POSSIBLE EXTENDED HOURS, INCLUDING ON CALL, NIGHTS, WEEKEND AND HOLIDAYS TO PROVIDE 24/7 COVERAGE
What We Offer :
- Day 1 Health Coverage: Amazing health insurance with the option of copay or HSA eligible plans
- Wellness Incentives: Up to $1,350/year in wellness incentives through our LiveWELL program
- Education: Eligible for our Prepaid College Tuition Assistance program (up to $5,250/year)!
- Parental Benefits: Six weeks paid birthing-mother maternity leave & four weeks paid parental leave
- Retirement: Up to 7% employer-paid retirement contributions
We are seeking a dedicated and highly skilled death investigator to join our forensic team. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in biological sciences, criminal justice, nursing, or related fields, it’s recommended to have one year death investigation experience and ABMDI certification. Experience writing grants is a plus. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will also be considered. As a death investigator, this role is responsible for conducting thorough external examinations of decedents, collecting evidence and samples for testing, and collaborating with other medical and law enforcement professionals to provide accurate and comprehensive reports. Requires working first shift, with possible extended hours, including on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays to provide 24/7 coverage. Must be able to move/roll approximately 100lbs independently and assist with moving heavier objects in morgue or scene environments. Must be able to navigate all types of outdoor/indoor terrain while carrying investigative tools safely and have valid NC Driver's license. Must be able to tolerate malodorous smells and maintain strict confidentiality of all information to be compliant with HIPPA and state investigative procedures. Basic knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and medical terminology.
Education/Experience/Certifications to Qualify:
- Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences, Criminal Justice, Nursing, or a related field and one year experience in investigations is preferred; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Preferential consideration will be given to applicants with grant writing experience.
- Registered Medicolegal Death Investigator by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators;
- Or fills the requirements to become registered within five years of hire.
- North Carolina driver's license without restrictions.
Essential Functions:
- Reviews death information to determine whether the death requires a medicolegal examination/autopsy.
- Acquires pertinent medical records/other official documents related to deaths, provides follow-up investigation for accepted cases, attends death scenes within the service's coverage area, and follows scene guidelines to insure adequate documentation of the decedent.
- Develops and updates policies related to investigative procedures.
- Performs external examinations in-house and at scenes.
- Aids in identification of the decedent if identity is unknown, contacts the decedent's next-of-kin or appropriate representative for death information or disposition of the body.
- Handles and secures evidence collected at the death scene and autopsy according to protocols.
- Completes autopsy forms, toxicology forms, report of investigation forms, death certificates and other pertinent paperwork related to the investigative process according to protocol.
- Provides phone coverage for the autopsy service, and receiving and releasing bodies to funeral home representatives or other appropriate party.
- Attends various appropriate training programs to maintain high standards and implement new methods of investigations. Improves work skills through self-study and continuing education.
- Contributes to the smooth and efficient operation of the section and department.
- Protects self, coworkers and facility by following approved policies and procedures to prevent the spread of bloodborne and/or airborne diseases.
- Exhibits and promotes the professional image of laboratories in accordance with hospital, department, and professional society philosophies, goals and standards of laboratory testing.
- Provides maximum care in identification procedures when processing documents and labeling specimen containers and releasing bodies to funeral homes.
SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ability to travel at a moment's notice (24 hours a day) within the state of North Carolina Ability to move approximately 100 pounds and able to assist in moving heavier objects/bodies.
- Ability to perform assigned duties while working with decedents who died from natural/non-natural causes of death and in all phases of decomposition.
- Extremely pungent odors are common.
- Knowledge of crime scene investigation procedures, evidence collection and transfer techniques.
- Ability to listen and communicate effectively especially when interacting with grieving families.
- Knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and medical terminology Skill in operating digital camera.
- Computer skills with familiarity using electronic medical record, CoPath, Mysys, and Microsoft Office.