On-Call Medical Examiner Investigator

Overview

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine is seeking qualified (on-call) Medical Examiner Investigators for the Medical Examiner’s Office. These individuals will investigate the medically relevant circumstances surrounding deaths reported to the Office of the Medical Examiner and prepare written reports documenting the investigative findings. We have position openings in the counties of Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Kalamazoo, Mason, Muskegon, St. Joseph, Van Buren.

Responsibilities

• Respond to scenes of reported deaths and perform a skilled investigation
• Determine whether a death is within the Medical Examiner’s jurisdiction and requires an investigation, based on Michigan Law and Western Michigan University School of Medicine Forensic Pathology policies and procedures
• Maintain availability by pager or telephone during on-call hours
• Prepare human remains for transport
• Communicate effectively with emergency personnel and law enforcement investigators in order to obtain accurate and comprehensive information regarding the circumstances surrounding a death
• Communicate effectively and compassionately with the decedent’s loved ones and other witnesses
• Obtain medical history from physicians, medical records, emergency personnel, relatives, witnesses, police and other involved persons
• Communicate effectively with Funeral Directors and funeral home personnel
• Speak and write in a professional manner; maintain a professional appearance
• Submit clear, accurate and objective reports, in a computerized web-based records management system, in a prescribed format in a timely manner for all death investigations
• Insure that the next-of-kin is notified of the death
• Maintain and upgrade professional knowledge and skills by attending continuing education seminars, training programs and appropriate courses
• Comply with policies and procedures established by the Medical Examiner
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Medical Examiner and/or Chief Medical Examiner Investigator
• At times may be responsible for cleaning up bodily fluids from cadavers outside of department.
• Availability to work occasional overtime on weekends or evenings to complete time sensitive projects.
• Acquires knowledge for new technology and policy/procedure revisions.
• All other duties as assigned.
• Must reside in one of the counties we serve.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: 

• An associate degree or equivalent from a two-year college, university or accredited technical school
• An equivalent combination of education and experience
• Law enforcement experience of at least three years, or
• Medical background, or
• Experience as a first-responder (e.g. Firefighter, EMT)

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS: 

• Achieve ABMDI Registry Certification (basic) within one year of hire, if applicant has previous experience as an investigator and meets minimum requirements to apply for ABMDI Registry Certification (basic), at the time of hire

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Preferably at least 24 years of age
• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Michigan Operator’s License
• No prior felony convictions
• Ability to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of modern medical examiner principles, procedures, techniques and equipment
• Ability to maintain good physical condition in order to safely perform job duties
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with peers and supervisors
• Ability to exercise sound judgement in evaluating situations and making decisions
• Ability to follow and give verbal and written instructions
• Must be able to respond to a scene within the assigned county within 60 minutes of report
• Must be available to commit to at least 8-10 on-call shifts per month
• Internet access
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize priorities in organization of work flow.
• Able to perform duties independently, with a minimal need for direct supervision.

About Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed)

We are committed to excellence and health equity through transformative medical education, high-quality, patient- and family-entered care, innovative research, and community partnerships within a just culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our vision is health equity for all in Southwest Michigan through innovation in the practice and study of medicine.

The medical school is a collaboration of Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo’s two teaching health systems, Ascension Borgess and Bronson Healthcare. The medical school is a private nonprofit corporation supported by private gifts, clinical revenues, research activities, tuition, and endowment income. Building upon a $100 million foundational gift in 2011, WMed is a recipient of the Empowering Futures Gift, a philanthropic commitment of $300 million to support the mission of the medical school. WMed contributes to the economic vitality of Southwest Michigan through the services we provide as well as the creation of 1,600 new jobs and an annual estimated economic impact of $353 million in Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties.

WMed is fully accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and the Higher Learning Commission. The medical school offers a comprehensive, innovative four-year Doctor of Medicine degree program and two Master of Science degree programs in Biomedical Sciences and Medical Engineering. We train physicians in 10 residencies and five fellowships accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. To support our educational mission, we have Joint Accreditation for interprofessional continuing education, which incorporates accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.

WMed Health is the clinical practice of the medical school with more than 300 providers offering comprehensive primary care and specialty services in several locations throughout Kalamazoo, Portage, and Battle Creek. The Department of Pathology faculty serve as the Office of the Medical Examiner for counties throughout Michigan and northern Indiana.

The W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus located in downtown Kalamazoo serves as the primary educational facility with faculty and administrative offices, student study and social spaces, team-based learning halls, a state-of-the-art Simulation Center accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, basic science research labs, as well as toxicology and forensic pathology labs.

WMed is building upon Kalamazoo’s century-long foundation of drug discovery and medical device development with a strategic investment in clinical, laboratory, community, and educational research. The Center for Immunobiology, Center for Clinical Research, Research Histology Lab, Innovation Center, and Human Research Protection Program contribute to the medical school’s advancement of knowledge through innovation and discovery. 

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer of females, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans, and actively strives to increase diversity within its community. We provide a drug- and tobacco-free workplace. 

EEO Minorities/Women/Disabled/Protected Veterans.

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