Coroners Office - Part Time Intern

ALLEN COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE

JOB DESCRIPTION


**Position Title:**
Intern – Part-Time Paid


**Department:**
Allen County Coroner’s Office


**Reports To:**
Allen County Coroner / Chief Deputy Coroner


**Employment Status:**
Part-Time

Position Summary

The Part-Time Paid Intern assists the Allen County Coroner’s Office with medicolegal death investigation, administrative, investigative, and operational duties under the direct supervision of the Coroner and/or Chief Deputy Coroner.

This position is intended to provide practical experience in forensic science, criminal justice, death investigation, nursing, emergency medical services, mortuary science, forensic medicine, or a related field while supporting the daily operations of the Coroner’s Office.

The Intern may participate in death investigations, scene responses, autopsy-related activities, toxicology procedures, records preparation, evidence/documentation procedures, and other duties appropriate to the employee’s level of training and experience.

The Intern shall perform all duties in accordance with Indiana law, Allen County policies, Allen County Coroner’s Office policies and procedures, and established standards for medicolegal death investigation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Medicolegal Death Investigation

* Assist Deputy Coroners with medicolegal death investigations under appropriate supervision.
* Respond to death scenes when assigned.
* Assist with documenting the circumstances and environment surrounding a death.
* Assist with collection and documentation of investigative information.
* Obtain information from law enforcement officers, medical personnel, witnesses, family members, and other appropriate individuals.
* Assist with completion of death investigation worksheets, reports, and other required documentation.
* Assist with identification of decedents and documentation of identifying information.
* Maintain confidentiality of all case information.

Autopsy and Forensic Services

* Attend autopsies as assigned and permitted.
* Assist with preparation and documentation associated with autopsy examinations.
* Assist with toxicology specimen collection and processing after receiving appropriate training and authorization.
* Assist with the preparation, packaging, labeling, and transfer of specimens and evidence.
* Maintain proper chain-of-custody documentation.
* Assist with photographic, and other forensic documentation as directed.
* Follow all infection-control, personal-protective-equipment, and biohazard procedures.

Administrative Duties

* Assist with filing, scanning, data entry, case organization, and records maintenance.
* Assist with preparation of correspondence and investigative documentation.
* Assist with maintaining case files and office records.
* Assist with inventory of office, investigative, and personal protective equipment.
* Assist with preparation of materials for meetings, training, and educational programs.
* Perform other administrative duties as assigned.

Scene and Field Operations

* Assist with scene documentation and equipment setup.
* Assist with the secure handling of property and evidence under established procedures.
* Assist with decedent transportation when assigned and properly trained.
* Maintain professional conduct at death scenes, hospitals, funeral homes, residences, and other locations.

Training and Professional Development

* Complete required orientation and training before performing assigned duties.
* Participate in ongoing medicolegal death-investigation training.
* Attend autopsy and forensic training opportunities when assigned.
* Demonstrate competency in assigned duties before performing those duties independently.
* Maintain any required certifications, licenses, or training credentials.

Supervision and Authority

The Part-Time Paid Intern works under the direction of the Allen County Coroner and/or Chief Deputy Coroner.

The Intern shall not independently make determinations regarding cause or manner of death and shall not independently release official Coroner’s Office information unless specifically authorized.

The Intern shall not represent himself or herself as the Coroner, Chief Deputy Coroner, Deputy Coroner, forensic pathologist, or other licensed professional unless separately appointed, licensed, or authorized to do so.

The level of responsibility assigned to the Intern shall be based upon education, training, demonstrated competency, and the needs of the Coroner’s Office.

Minimum Qualifications


**Applicants should meet the following qualifications:**

* Minimum age of 18 years.
* High school diploma or equivalent.
* Enrollment in, completion of, or demonstrated interest in a college, university, technical, or professional program related to:
* Forensic Science
* Criminal Justice
* Mortuary Science
* Nursing
* Emergency Medical Services
* Biology
* Chemistry
* Medical Sciences
* Law Enforcement
* Public Health
* or another related field.
* Valid driver’s license.
* Reliable transportation.
* Ability to respond to assigned locations when required.
* Ability to maintain confidentiality.
* Ability to work professionally with law enforcement, medical personnel, funeral homes, families, and members of the public.
* Ability to work around deceased individuals, traumatic injuries, blood, bodily fluids, and potentially infectious materials.
* Ability to work independently when assigned routine duties while recognizing when supervisory assistance is required.

Preferred Qualifications


**Preference may be given to applicants with:**

* Prior experience in healthcare, emergency medical services, law enforcement, forensic science, mortuary science, or a related field.
* CPR/BLS or other applicable certifications.
* Prior medicolegal death-investigation training.
* Experience with medical records or documentation.
* Experience with evidence handling or chain-of-custody procedures.
* Previous internship, volunteer, or work experience in a coroner’s office, medical examiner’s office, funeral home, hospital, laboratory, law-enforcement agency, or related organization.

Working Conditions


**The position may require exposure to:**

* Deceased individuals and human remains.
* Blood and other bodily fluids.
* Traumatic injuries.
* Decomposition.
* Strong or offensive odors.
* Infectious or potentially infectious materials.
* Hazardous environments.
* Crime and accident scenes.
* Autopsy facilities.
* Hospitals, nursing facilities, residences, outdoor locations, and other death scenes.
* Inclement weather and varying environmental conditions.

The employee must be capable of appropriately using required personal protective equipment and following all applicable safety procedures.

Work Schedule

This is a part-time position. Work hours may vary based upon the operational needs of the Allen County Coroner’s Office.


**The position may require:**

* Weekday, evening, weekend, or holiday work.
* Attendance at death scenes.
* Autopsy attendance.
* Occasional call-in assignments.
* Schedule changes based upon investigative needs.

Please complete the application accurately and thoroughly. A resume is optional. Remember to save and submit your application. If applying for multiple positions, submit a separate application for each one. You'll receive an email confirmation once your application is received. Due to the high volume of applications, further communication will only occur if you're selected for an interview.


We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO). Accordingly, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, disability or medical condition, national origin, and veteran status, and all other categories protected by federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. Reasonable accommodations for persons with a known disabling condition will be considered in accordance with State and Federal Law.