Job Specification
Position Title:
Coroner Investigators
Job Code:
50122 - Nurse 2, Public Health
Purpose of Position :
As part of the death investigation system, Coroner Investigators, delegated under authority of the Coroners Act, will be responsible for operation of a structured review and evaluation process to determine requirement for investigation of a death reported to the Office of the Chief Coroner.
Duties / Responsibilities :
1. As a member of the death investigation team, the Coroner Investigator investigates the circumstances and health history of a deceased person following external notification of the death to the Office of the Chief Coroner.
2. Provides broad-based health care expertise to support and oversee the review and evaluation of deaths as they are reported to the Provincial Dispatch Unit of the Office of the Chief Coroner/Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OCC/OFPS) by ensuring relevant and sufficient information is identified, collected and analysed regarding the health history, circumstances of death and position/location of the deceased person by interviewing relevant external parties including first responders (police, paramedics, fire personnel) at the death scene, treating health care practitioners, family and friends of the deceased person.
3. Interacting with the next of kin (NOK) of the deceased person to provide timely support, guidance regarding process and collect relevant information about the deceased person, including, but not limited to, their medical health history, family and/or treating health care practitioner information and the funeral service provider.
4. Connects with the family/treating physician(s) (MDs) or nurse practitioner (NP) to ensure a complete understanding of the medical health history of the deceased person and confirm the death was reasonably foreseeable/not unexpected. When appropriate, the Coroner Investigator will facilitate the MD or NP to complete the Medical Certificate of Death (MCOD); providing support/training to the MD or NP with MCOD completion as needed.
5. Based on outcomes of case review and evaluation, the Coroner Investigator will determine appropriate next steps, including but not limited, to: the transfer of case management to the treating health care practitioner; or maintaining case management of death investigation by the OCC/OFPS; Both scenarios involve support from the Coroner Investigator in communicating outcomes to involved treatment providers, police service personnel, funeral service providers and NOK.
6. Participates in the ongoing collection and management of data for tracking and trend analysis to support reporting, monitoring and oversight of deaths reviewed by Coroner Investigators which in turn will inform public reporting.
7. Ensuring the NOK at the scene of death has support available to them (i.e. family/friends or Victim Services).
8. Liaising with the funeral service provider, MD/NP and first responders to ensure all involved parties are aware of each other's role and responsibilities and that all documentation and investigation requirements have been met and communicated.
9. Assist the Chief Coroner in defining, developing and overseeing the implementation and evaluation of innovative approaches to service delivery related to the review and triaging of deaths. Assist the Chief Coroner and broader ministry partners, including but not limited to MCSCS and MOHLTC with data analysis, interpretation and reporting.
10. Develops and maintains working relationships with a variety of participants in the death investigation system, including families, dispatchers, coroners, forensic pathologists, forensic scientists, law enforcement personnel and other agencies. Participates in inter-ministerial and inter-governmental committees/task forces and maintains ongoing liaison with other ministries, professional associations, universities, federal and provincial counterparts to develop partnerships with key stakeholders.
Staffing and Licensing :
BSc in Nursing and/or current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario in order to provide professional nursing expertise as a member of the OCC health professional team.
Knowledge :
1. Knowledge of pathophysiology, toxicology, and disease processes are required in order to assess the health history of a deceased person in relation to the circumstances of their death.
2. Medical causes of death in order to support MDs/NPs in completion of MCODs.
3. The role, activities and mandate of the OCC/OFPS.
4. Death investigation protocols as they relate to the review and evaluation of deaths by telephone.
5. Relevant legislation such as the Coroners Act, Anatomy Act, Vital Statistics Act, Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act and OCC Code of Ethics, to understand their application to death investigations.
6. Analytical skills to support the development and implementation of new/revised processes, requirements, guidelines, policies, procedures, standards and protocols for the conduct of death investigations of deaths across the province.
7. Knowledge of the triage and transfer of cases between health care professionals including required documentation.
Skills :
1. Strong communication skills when corresponding with grieving families and first responders at the scene of death.
2. Able to make decisions in a fast paced environment, while ensuring a thorough review and evaluation of information provided about the deceased person, their health history and circumstances of death.
3. Able to effectively communicate and liaise with multiple stakeholders, both internal and external to ensure all requirements of the evaluative review have been met.
4. Research techniques, methods, tools and strategies to identify and assess issues and trends with potential impact on the death investigation system or that require the involvement of the Chief Coroner.
5. Consultative and advisory skills to recommend new/revised approaches, policies and procedures to the Chief Coroner, Deputy Chief Coroners and Senior Management Team, and make presentations as an active member of the professional health professional team.
6. Oral and written communication and presentation skills to lead training programs, and to prepare and present analysis and research findings, reports and briefing papers.
7. Computer skills to research information; prepare briefings, presentations, proposals, observations and recommendations; and enable analytics/data analysis.
Freedom of Action :
Work is performed independently under the direction of the Deputy Chief Coroner or Provincial Nurse Manager and within the framework of government/OCC goals, strategic direction, relevant legislation, regulations, policies and standards.
The position assumes the role of an investigator for a public-facing, visible program subject to public, stakeholder and media scrutiny.
Decision making involves: leading compilation/analysis of data, and developing reports to advance process reform; assessing shortfalls and proposing solutions; preparing working papers for internal review, presentation and discussion; recommending alternative approaches; planning, designing and coordinating training; developing stakeholder consultations and partnerships to facilitate change management; alleviating possible concerns; building consensus and promoting buy-in; and enlisting engagement with Coroners and other participants in the death investigation system.
Judgement is exercised in ensuring consistency in response to inquiries regarding the review and evaluation process as well as the overall death investigation process, use of systems and liaison with others that intersect with the death investigation system.
Scope of program accountability is province-wide. The position contributes to the modernization and improvement of the province's death investigation system. Project mismanagement could result in less than an optimal system; complaints received from families, law enforcement, the criminal justice system and other parties.
Successful function, advice and recommendations made by the position directly contribute to the perception and placement of Ontario as a leader in the field of death investigations.