Medical Examiner Investigator

Role Responsibilities

Do you possess strong knowledge of anatomy and physiology and have a knack for investigative work? Do you have strong communication skills, are comfortable working with grieving families, stakeholders including medical professionals, police, and first responders in a challenging and demanding environment. Are you looking for an opportunity to join the OCME investigations team and utilize these skills? If so, we invite you to join the Edmonton OCME within the Justice Services Division.

This would be your opportunity to use your excellent investigative and interpersonal skills. The role is responsible for conducting investigations into sudden and/or unexplained deaths to assist in the determination of cause and manner of death. Investigator teams are required to be available on a 24/7/365 basis to serve the needs of the province. Shift work is mandatory in this setting.

Responsibilities include: 

• Conducting investigations into sudden or unexplained deaths to assist determining cause and manner of death by providing accurate information to OCME medical examiners and acting as an information relay for next of kin and interested parties.
• Assisting medical doctors across the province in completion of death certificates, triaging case work and potentially refusing case referrals independently in accordance with the Fatality Inquiries Act.
• Case management of files, which includes, researching, collecting, and documenting medical, circumstantial and death scene information regarding the deceased and providing it to the attending Medical Examiner.
• Coordinating death scene processing through guidance of police officers and arranging for body removal and transportation services as required.   
• Attending the scene of death if required; this involves examining and photographing the body and scene and coordinating with police and emergency services, along with speaking to next of kin (NOK).
• Assisting OCME medical examiners with the process of identification of decedents through liaising with stakeholders accordingly.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following characteristics:

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Strong team player with high emotional intelligence
• Exceptional analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail, time management, and with the ability to prioritize the workload appropriately.
• Process driven with an ability to embrace change in a dynamic and fast paced environment.
• Strong medical knowledge and terminology 
• Knowledge of Fatality Inquiries Act, Vital Statistics Act, and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
• An ability to interact with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Ability to successfully work and thrive in a high impact environment with daily exposure to emotionally taxing situations of sudden violent death e.g. suicides, accidents, homicides, and unexpected child deaths. Regular interaction with bodies in varying states of decay is commonplace and the applicant needs to be comfortable and functional in these settings. 

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

Qualifications

University degree or diploma in a related field (e.g., Nursing, Bio-Medical Sciences, Anatomy, etc.) supplemented by a minimum of one (1) year of related experience. (for example in emergency, critical care medicine or investigative work)

Required:

• Please outline how your experience relates to the qualifications in detail in your cover letter.  Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. 
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite. (Word, Outlook, and Excel)

Assets:
•    Previous death investigation.
•    Investigative experience.  (preference: police investigations, forensic, government oversight investigations) 
•    Case management experience. 
•    Biological/medical occupation experience. (preference: RN/LPN, Paramedic etc.)
•    Experience interpreting applicable legislations: Fatality Inquiries Act, Vital Statistic’s Act, and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. (FOIP)

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.
 

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.
 

• Systems Thinking - ability to understand the broader impact of your work and to anticipate outcomes  
• Creative Problem Solving - ability to assess options and implications that will reach the best solutions   
• Build Collaborative Environments - ability to work as a member of a team comprised of stakeholders both within and outside of government whose goal is supporting and protecting vulnerable Albertans
• Agility - ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities and to respond with effective decisions
• Develop Networks  - ability to proactively build networks, connect and build trust in relationships with different stakeholders

Notes

Hours of work:  These positions need to provide an overarching availability on a 24/7/365 basis, through shift work (38.75 hours/week) and on-call duties for the Edmonton Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Positions Currently available: One (1) temporary salaried position – Edmonton with an expected end date of June 2, 2026.

Travel is a requirement of the role and therefore a valid class 5 driver's license is required.

The environment at OCME is fast paced and can be emotionally charged. Postmortem examinations are completed on-site, and the candidate needs to be aware and be prepared to work in this type of environment.  

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has two locations, and this competition may be used to fill future vacancies in either location Edmonton or Calgary. (Permanent, Temporary Salaried or Wage)

Final candidates will be asked to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

What we offer:
•    Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages- working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
•    Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
•    Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
•    Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.

Please ensure you outline how your experience as it relates to the qualifications in detail in your cover letter. Your written ability will be assessed through your cover letter. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.