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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 into and released from the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Learn how to prepare the body for autopsy, take photographs of examination findings as needed, weigh and measure human remains, suture incisions and clean up body upon completion of autopsy.

Learn autopsy techniques including basic evisceration and toxicology specimen collection.

Assist pathologist and/or morgue staff in collecting and handling of trace evidence, physical and biological evidence, and finger and palm prints.

Learn the processes for ensuring proper handling, transfers, labeling and storing of histological specimens (tissue blocks, slides, etc) and all other samples and items of evidence.

Become familiar with general and specialized databases to identify next-of-kin, learn the process of locating and contacting next of kin, learn proper documentation of search efforts.

Review and document personal property, learn techniques for photographic documentation of personal property, learn processes for release and/or disposal of personal property.

Learn about different imaging modalities used in death investigation; learn how to operate Lodox scanner, CT scanner, and portable XRAY machine; and learn how XRAY images are stored and archived.

Learn how to review and back up case images, autopsy report, and toxicology report, learn processes for quality assurance of images and data.

Become familiar with statutes regarding retention of medical examiner/coroner records, learn processes for archiving of case files, review of case files for completeness, redaction of non-medical examiner records.

Learn processes for identifying unidentified persons, become familiar with National Missing and Unidentified Persons database (NAMUS).

Learn processes for data entry and quality assurance of autopsy paperwork, specimen tracking, electronic death registration entry (EDRS) and case file review for completeness.

Minimum Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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 a Sophomore, 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.

Must be able to communicate and work effectively, both orally and in writing, in a multicultural workforce serving a diverse population, in potentially stressful or emotionally charged situations.

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.
Must have the physical fitness necessary to travel over difficult terrain, remain standing for several hours, and assist in lifting and maneuvering human remains weighing up to 175 lbs
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, including a criminal record background check.

Please select the link below to view Spokane County Benefits:

Benefits | Spokane County, WA

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INTERN - Medicolegal Death Investigation Intern