To become a coroner’s investigator, one needs post-secondary training, related work experience, a psychological profile, and to complete the job interview process. The role involves responding to calls to collect a body, taking legal custody of the remains, arranging transport to the mortuary, and locating and identifying the next of kin. A four-year degree or diploma in health sciences is required, along with at least one year of experience working with catastrophic injury or death. The job is not suitable for those who are not mentally prepared to face death daily, and most employers require a recent psychological profile and drug testing. Proofreading resumes and preparing for interviews is also important.
There are four things needed to become a coroner’s investigator: post-secondary training, related work experience, psychological profile, and completion of the job interview process. A coroner’s investigator is responsible for responding to calls to collect a body from hospitals, long-term care facilities, police, and members of the public. The investigator’s role is to take legal custody of the remains, arrange for transport to the mortuary, and locate and identify the next of kin.
People who are trained to work on the front lines of health services, are not sensitive and like to work independently, find this type of career interesting. It is important to note that a coroner investigator is not responsible for performing autopsies or preparing the body for burial. This work requires long hours and physical strength to move the bodies with assistance.
The first requirement to become a coroner investigator is to complete a post-secondary education program. There is no specific training program to become a coroner investigator. Instead, applicants must have at least a four-year degree or diploma in the health sciences. Required courses include anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology.
Related work experience is usually required to apply for this type of role. In general, most employers require at least one year of experience working with catastrophic injury or death. This experience is usually gained through work as an emergency or operating room nurse, paramedic, emergency medical technologist, or related profession. The vast majority of employers do not accept candidates without this type of work experience.
This career is not suitable for anyone who is not mentally prepared to face death on a daily basis. Although glorified in the media, only a very small group of people will find that they are suited to becoming a coroner investigator. The burnout rate is very high and reflects the mental and emotional stress of this job.
Most employers will require a recent psychological profile for any candidate. This profile typically covers the main motivation for wanting to work in this field, personal strengths and weaknesses, and stress coping mechanisms. In addition, many agencies have drug testing protocols for their employees to look for both prescription and street drug use.
When applying to become a coroner investigator, be sure to proofread your resume and cover letter for any grammar or spelling errors. During the job interview process, take the time to prepare for the interview. Think of a list of standard interview questions and prepare your answers in advance.
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