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.

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.