How to Be Medical Investigator - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 30, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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Heavy alcohol consumption can have serious, long-term effects on a person's health. In particular, it can cause significant damage to the body's organs, such as the liver and the brain. This can lead to a number of serious medical issues, such as cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, pancreatitis, high blood pressure, stroke, and increased risk of certain types of cancers.

Furthermore, excessive drinking can impair cognitive functioning and lead to memory problems, depression, anxiety, and even suicide. In addition, it can interfere with social functioning, making it difficult for people to keep up relationships with family and friends. As such, it is important for medical investigators to recognize the signs of alcohol abuse and intervene appropriately in order to help those affected.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a bachelor's degree in a field related to medical investigation, such as forensic science, criminal justice, or biology. Many schools offer specific degrees in medical investigation.
Obtain a master's degree in a field related to medical investigation. This will allow you to delve deeper into the subject and gain invaluable experience working with medical data, evidence, and case studies.
Complete an internship at a medical facility or laboratory. This will give you hands-on experience working with medical data, evidence, and case studies.
Become certified in medical investigation by taking a certification exam from the American Board of Medical Investigation (ABMI). The ABMI is the only organization that offers a certification for medical investigators.
Obtain a professional license if required in your state. Some states require medical investigators to be licensed in order to practice.
Stay up-to-date on the latest developments in medical investigation by attending conferences and seminars, reading relevant literature, and participating in continuing education courses.

Keeping updated and qualified as a Medical Investigator requires staying abreast of the latest developments in the field. This entails reading relevant medical journals and other publications, attending conferences, and engaging with colleagues in the field. Regular continuing education is also essential to maintain certification and ensure that investigators are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge.

it is important for Medical Investigators to stay current on laws and regulations related to their work, so they can provide accurate and responsible services to their clients. Taking advantage of professional organizations, such as the National Medical Investigators Association, can also be a valuable resource for keeping up with industry trends. By taking these steps, Medical Investigators can remain qualified and updated on their profession.

You may want to check Security Investigator, Research Investigator, and Criminal Investigator for alternative.

Job Description

Analyze and interpret medical data from medical records, laboratory results, and other sources to identify relevant information.
Investigate causes of diseases, deaths, and other medical conditions.
Prepare reports on investigative findings and submit to appropriate authorities.
Consult with other medical and health professionals to discuss findings and reach a consensus on diagnosis and treatment.
Advise public health officials on the best strategies for controlling the spread of communicable diseases.
Participate in committees and task forces to develop public health policies and programs.
Educate the public on the prevention and control of diseases.
Perform autopsies to determine the cause of death or investigate suspicious deaths.
Examine medical records and documents to determine if there are any questionable practices or negligence that may have contributed to a medical condition or death.
Coordinate with law enforcement in criminal cases involving medical issues.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of anatomy and physiology
Knowledge of medical terminology
Understanding of medical laboratory techniques
Ability to analyze and interpret medical data
Knowledge of pathology and disease processes
Knowledge of epidemiology and public health
Knowledge of forensic science and related procedures
Ability to critically evaluate and interpret information
Ability to communicate effectively with medical personnel
Ability to maintain detailed records and reports
Knowledge of legal and ethical issues related to medical investigations
Ability to use computers and other technology related to investigations

Having a strong investigative mindset is the most important skill to have when working as a medical investigator. This means having the ability to think critically and analytically, to be able to observe and draw conclusions based on the evidence available, and to be able to communicate effectively with other professionals. Having this skill is crucial in order to properly investigate medical cases, such as determining the cause of death or identifying a potential source of infection.

It also helps to identify any underlying issues that may be contributing to a medical condition, and can help in developing strategies to prevent similar cases from occurring in the future. Furthermore, being able to effectively analyze medical reports, laboratory results, and other medical records is essential for a medical investigator, as this can help inform their decisions and help them come to the most accurate conclusion. Overall, having a strong investigative mindset is an invaluable asset for a medical investigator and can ultimately help save lives.

Loss Prevention Investigator, Investigating Officer, and Investigative Specialist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in medical investigation?
What challenges have you faced in medical investigations and how did you address them?
Describe a successful medical investigation you have conducted.
What is your approach to determining potential suspects in a medical investigation?
How do you ensure that evidence is collected and preserved properly?
What methods do you use to ensure accuracy in medical investigations?
How do you collect and evaluate medical evidence?
How do you interpret medical records and documents?
What techniques do you use to interview witnesses, victims and suspects?
How do you maintain the confidentiality of the medical investigation findings?

Common Tools in Industry

Autopsy. Autopsy is a digital forensics platform and graphical interface to The Sleuth Kit. It is used to investigate hard drives, removable media, and memory for evidence of criminal activity. (eg: recovering deleted files)
EnCase. EnCase is a computer forensics software suite used for data acquisition, evidence preservation, and in-depth analysis of computers, networks, and mobile devices. (eg: imaging a hard drive)
FTK Imager. FTK Imager is a computer forensics tool used to take a forensic image of a hard drive or other data storage device. (eg: examining the file system of a computer)
Forensic Toolkit (FTK). Forensic Toolkit (FTK) is a computer forensics suite that enables examiners to quickly and thoroughly extract, analyze, and report on digital evidence. (eg: analyzing data from a smartphone)
NetworkMiner. NetworkMiner is an open source network forensic analysis tool used to capture and analyze network traffic. (eg: performing a network traffic analysis)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Academy of Forensic Sciences
American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators
National Association of Medical Examiners
National Association of Medical Investigators
International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners
American College of Forensic Examiners Institute
Society of Professional Investigators
International Association for Identification
International Homicide Investigators Association
American College of Legal Medicine

We also have Compliance Investigator, Internal Investigator, and Forensic Investigator jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Autopsy. A post-mortem examination of a body to determine the cause of death.
Toxicology. The study of the effects of toxins, chemicals, or drugs on living organisms.
Forensic Pathology. The branch of medicine that combines pathology and law to investigate deaths that are sudden, unexpected, or suspicious.
Crime Scene Investigation. The scientific analysis of evidence at a crime scene to establish the facts of a criminal case.
DNA Analysis. The use of DNA technology to analyze genetic material for the purpose of identification, classification, or analysis of genetic markers.
Evidence Collection. The physical gathering and preservation of items connected to a crime for analysis and presentation in court.
Postmortem Examination. A post-mortem examination of a body to determine the cause of death.
Forensic Anthropology. The study of human remains in order to interpret the physical evidence from a crime scene.
Fingerprint Analysis. The examination of fingerprints in order to identify an individual or to match them with fingerprints found at a crime scene.
Pathology. The study of the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Medical Investigator?

A Medical Investigator is a professional who investigates any incidents or accidents involving medical treatments, and works to determine the cause of the incident or accident.

What qualifications does a Medical Investigator need?

A Medical Investigator typically needs to possess a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a medical-related field, such as nursing, public health, or forensic science. They must also have knowledge of medical laws and regulations.

What types of incidents does a Medical Investigator investigate?

A Medical Investigator typically investigates incidents such as deaths, accidents, injuries, or allegations of medical negligence.

How does a Medical Investigator conduct their investigations?

A Medical Investigator typically collects evidence by interviewing witnesses and gathering relevant medical records. They also analyze data, review documents, and compile reports.

What type of reports do Medical Investigators produce?

Medical Investigators typically produce reports which detail their findings and provide recommendations for preventing similar incidents in the future. These reports are used to inform policy changes within the healthcare organization.

Web Resources

Office of the Medical Investigator - University of New Mexico hsc.unm.edu
Office of the Medical Investigator - University of New Mexico hsc.unm.edu
County Medical Investigator | CTAS - University of Tennessee www.ctas.tennessee.edu