INTERN - Medicolegal Death Investigation Intern

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Note: Current Employees must use the Workday Dashboard career section to apply for this position. Employee Type: Unpaid Intern (Trainee) Department: Medical Examiner Salary: Unpaid Internship Overtime Eligibile: Yes Job Posting Date Range: 03/04/2026 - Until Filled Job Summary: PLEASE NOTE: This is an UNPAID INTERNSHIP. Questions may be directed to the Medical Examiner's Office directly at MedExam@spokanecounty.org or 509-477-2296. SPOKANE COUNTY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Spokane County supports internship programs that provide work experience for students in an accredited post-secondary institution that is related to their course of study. The internship program is designed so that the student will have the opportunity to apply principles and theories learned in the classroom, gain new skills, explore a career path and be supervised and mentored by a professional in their field. Job Description: INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES This unpaid internship will provide opportunities for students to learn about the work performed by the Medical Examiner's Office and, under the direction of the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office (SCMEO) staff, develop skills required to perform the duties of a Medical Investigator and/or Autopsy Assistant. The student will have the opportunity to assist with forensic investigations of deaths that fall under the jurisdiction of the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office, as well as assist pathologists and morgue staff in the performance of autopsies. Due to the nature of the work, interns must have the ability to cope with death and trauma, interact with grieving families in highly emotional circumstances, and deal with sensitive topics on an ongoing and daily basis. SUPERVISION Interns will receive instruction and direction from Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office personnel as assigned. The student will be assigned learning opportunities, requiring the application of knowledge gained in the areas of death scene investigation, autopsy, and administration of a Medical Examiner's Office. Such learning opportunities will have associated deadlines, similar to assignments in an educational environment. WORKING CONDITIONS Assignments may include field trips to the scene of death and potential exposure to contagious diseases (including communicable disease such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, and AIDS); bodies exhibiting various degrees of decay, mutilation, or infestation; and other biological and environmental hazards. Under the instruction and guidance of assigned staff, the intern will learn and apply investigatory principles related to death investigations at the scene of accidents, natural and man-made disasters, and in remote locations. Participation and observance of autopsy work is performed in the Spokane County Medical Examiner facility and requires the use of needles and surgical instruments. Paperwork assignments are performed in a normal office environment. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be evaluated on a case by case basis, consistent with Spokane County Policy. Hours: To be determined mutually by student and Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office Wage: Unpaid Workers Comp: Not covered. The school authorizing the internship is responsible for coverage. Examples of Duties: In a learning capacity, and under direct supervision of Medical Examiners, investigators, autopsy staff or administrative staff, the student may: Become familiar with laws surrounding Medical Examiners and Coroners, learn what cases fall under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner and what happens to cases that don't fall under that jurisdiction Receive notification of deaths from law enforcement and medical facilities, learn what information is required to determine jurisdiction, and determine case jurisdiction based upon the Medical Examiner's Office standard guidelines. Travel to the scene of homicides, suicides, accidental, questionable and/or unattended Deaths, perform initial on-scene examination of remains, identify pertinent scene findings to assist the pathologist in determining cause and manner of death, collect information relevant to or related to cause and manner of death. Gain familiarity with forensic photography techniques and investigative/medical interview techniques. Develop basic knowledge of crime scene investigation, processing and evidence collection techniques Learn which cases need follow-up investigations, practice data gathering skills as required. Write complete, accurate and comprehensive investigative reports describing scene circumstances. Practice appropriate environmental safety and/or infection control methods, learn about blood/airborne pathogens and universal precautions for personal safety. Become familiar with processes required to maintain proper chain of custody for transfer of human remains and any clothing, personal effects, or jewelry that may accompany the remains; learn how bodies are received i

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