Under the Nunavut’s Coroners Act the Coroner directs the investigation of deaths occurring within the Nunavut Territory with guidance of the Chief Coroner.
This position requires you to works under stressful conditions and within critical situations.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
- Performs a variety of duties as necessary in performance of the job, including but not limited to:
- Presides at inquests;
- Arrangements of autopsies and transportation of deceased person;
- Provide pertinent information to the Chief Coroner/Deputy Chief Coroner;
- Conduct an external exam of deceased;
- Gathers fluid specimens from deceased for analysis;
- Work in cooperation with the RCMP and the Community Health Care Unit;
- Investigate the circumstances of deaths in order to determine and establish cause
- Deaths in Nunavut are classified as Homicide, Suicide, Accidental, Natural, and Undetermined
- In cooperation with the RCMP attends the death scene and investigates the death by:
- Examining the death scene;
- Examining body of the deceased person and record findings;
- Obtain necessary body samples for analysis;
- Provide photographic documentation of body and death scene
- Complete administrative tasks such as various records and reports necessary in the accurate documentation of death. Completes Registration of Death Form (ROD) ensuring that all information is recorded accurately. Prepare Warrant to take Possession, Preliminary Investigation Forms, etc., and witnesses’ statements.
- Responsible for notifying the Office of the Chief Coroner of events pertaining to deaths under the Nunavut Coroner’s Act.
- Advise and discuss with the Chief Coroner / Deputy Chief Coroner the requirement for autopsy or inquest. In consultation with the Chief Coroner may be required to preside at inquests or public meetings.
- Assumes responsibility for personal safety by the following actions:
- Exercise good judgement prior to entering death scene
- Keep immunizations for communicable diseases up to date
- Wear and maintain protective clothing in the performance of the job
- Maintains rapport with law enforcement agencies, medical personnel, health centres, and various investigative officers/agencies.
- Attend appropriate training sessions in order to keep abreast of Coroner related procedures, techniques and related information.
Requirements
The ability to communicate with families, next of kin, co-workers, physicians, nurses, law enforcement officers, hospital staff and the general public while exhibiting poise, voice control and confidence.
- Must be willing to perform the duties of Coroner;
- Must be a long standing and respected member of the Community;
- Must have the support of Municipal / Hamlet / Band Council;
- Must be cleared by the RCMP with a Criminal Records Check