A technical internship is available with the Skagit County Coroner’s Office. This internship is only available to candidates that are actively enrolled in a college level, degree-oriented program. Eligibility to remain within the employment of this Internship ends within one quarter after graduating, or unless the candidate enrolls in another college level, degree-oriented program (e.g., graduate program) within this same timeframe. Internship schedules may consist of part-time work during the academic year (flexible up to 70 hours per month) and requires 40 hours per week during the summer months [June to September, while not in classes] (for a maximum of four months in a year, with the remaining hours worked to be less than 70 hours a month).

Generally, the responsibilities of this internship include learning various forensic death investigation tasks to develop skills required to perform the duties of a Medical Investigator under the direction of the Medical Examiner’s Office (MEO) staff. The incumbent will learn, practice, and assist with forensic investigations of deaths that fall under the jurisdiction of the Skagit County Coroner’s Office, as well as assist the pathologist during examinations.

Salary upon hire is $16.66/hour.

The Technical Intern - Medicolegal Death Investigations is Range A (Minimum Wage) of the General Salary Schedule.

In a learning capacity, and under direct supervision:

• Receives notification of deaths from law enforcement and medical facilities, and determines jurisdiction based upon the Medical Examiner’s Office standard guidelines.
• Identifies, collects, documents, and safeguards the legal chain of custody of evidentiary materials and decedent’s personal property at death scenes.
• Answers phone calls, performs data entry and routine office functions, and works with bereaved families with respect and compassion.
• Writes complete, accurate, and comprehensive investigative reports, describing the scene and circumstances of death to assist the Medical Examiner (pathologist) in the determination of the cause and manner of death.
• Responds to investigate death; photographs the scene and decedent; conducts visual inspection and preliminary examination of the decedent and makes notes of the condition of the body; collects and reviews medical records/police reports and demographic information that is pertinent to the cause and manner of death.
• Gathers, secures, and transports human remains.
• Locates and notifies next-of-kin regarding MEO procedures; collects, secures, and releases personal property to the next-of-kin; releases human remains to funeral homes.
• Establishes and/or initiates positive identification process using photo identification, dental/skeletal radiographs, fingerprints, and medical records.
• Locates and collects lab samples and records, including health care, police, and other records.
• Assists autopsy staff with autopsy preparations, which includes assisting in holding and moving bodies for photography, photographic evidence, provide radiographic assistance including imaging, developing and data base storage, assisting in the preparation of bodies for funeral homes, and drawing/labeling samples for toxicology.
• Performs general sanitation and housekeeping duties in the examination room, refrigeration areas, and body receiving and release areas

Supervisory: None

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

May be tasked with performing related duties. Related duties as required are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Must be able to show proof of enrollment in an accredited post-secondary institution at the time of the Internship. If the Internship occurs during the summer, the student may either provide proof of summer or fall enrollment.

Must be at least 21-years of age.

Must be a Junior, Senior, or graduate standing, with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and currently working towards a degree in criminal justice, biological sciences, anthropology, or closely related fields of study.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Working towards a degree in Forensic Science, and has successfully completed any of the following courses: Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Forensics Practicum, Crime Scene and Medico-legal Death Investigation, and/or Forensic Anthropology.

Necessary Special Requirements:

Must obtain academic credit for the entirety of the internship.

• Ability to deal with death and trauma on an ongoing and daily basis.

• Required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement to maintain confidentiality of all information in the course of the Internship, including but not limiting to medical, financial, investigative, or other sensitive information and as required by law.

• Required to successfully pass a background check.

• Must be able to lift and maneuver human remains weighing up to 180 lbs.

Knowledge and Abilities

Increase Intern Knowledge of:

• Basic knowledge of medical terminology, including the principles of human anatomy, and physiological functions of the human body;

• Autopsy techniques including basic evisceration, toxicology specimen collection, and basic radiography;

• Basic knowledge of crime scene investigation, processing and evidence collection techniques;

• Blood/airborne pathogens and universal precautions for personal safety;

• Basic photographic techniques, including digital photography;

• Investigative/medical interview techniques;

• Strong basic computer skills, along with basic knowledge of standard office equipment that may include automated systems, copier, fax machines, and telephones;

• Telephone, office, and online etiquette.

Increase Intern Ability to:

• Communicate and work effectively, both orally and in writing, in a multicultural workforce serving a diverse population, in potentially stressful or emotional charged situations;

• Prepare accurate, complete, and concise reports and narrative sections;

• Read, understand, and gather pertinent information from medical records and other documentation;

• Prioritize and resolve problems;

• Exercise initiative and judgment and make decisions within the scope of assigned responsibility;

• Use general and specialized databases to determine and contact next-of-kin;

• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with public and private officials, coworkers, associates, the news media, and the general public;

• Work with bodies exhibiting various degrees of decay, mutilation, infestation, and disease (including communicable disease such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, and AIDS);

• Explain procedures and technical terminology to lay people;

• Maintain the confidentiality and integrity of information;

• Remain objective, nonjudgmental, and sensitive to the situation; conducting business in a professional, supportive manner.

Supervision

Interns will receive direction from Skagit County Coroner’s Office personnel as assigned. The student will be assigned duties indicating generally what is to be done, the quantity of work expected, and any deadlines which are required to be met.

Licenses and/or Certifications:

None

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The work involves field trips to the scene of death and exposure to decomposed bodies, contagious disease, and other biological and environmental hazards. The intern may assist in death investigations at the scene of accidents, natural and man-made disasters, and in remote locations. Autopsy and laboratory work is performed in the county morgue and requires the use of needles and surgical instruments. Paperwork is performed in a normal office environment.

Must be able to stand, walk, and climb on sites with uneven terrain for extended periods, lift and/or carry outreach equipment or gear up to 40 pounds, and have sufficient hand-eye coordination to operate computers and equipment. Work performed will be a combination of office and field environments.

Hazards:
Indoor: those present in a normal office environment.

Outdoors: potential exposure to variable weather conditions, municipal and household solid waste, noise, dust, dirt, and odiferous conditions.