What are the responsibilities and job description for the Part Time Autopsy Technician position at Chester County of Pennsylvania?
Summary
This position requires working directly with deceased individuals in all states of decomposition, dismemberment, and skeletal remains. The Autopsy Technician must have knowledge of and the ability to work safely with all equipment used within the morgue setting.
This position requires availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. This is an Essential Employee position. Essential employees are obligated to report to work as scheduled or remain at work during emergencies. Following is the Duty Statement for Essential Employees:
“Carries out essential job functions or assigned emergency duties which may involve assignments within the Coroner’s Office, deployment to a field location to participate in emergency management activities, or other duties as required during periods of emergency. If received, emergency assignments may be performed under adverse conditions and continue for periods ranging from a few hours to several weeks”.
Essential Duties
- Schedule autopsies and other exams with pathologists and autopsy facilities
- Assist pathologists with autopsies, photography, DNA samples, histology, and fingerprints.
- Maintain chain of custody for evidence and personal property
- Coordinate release of bodies to funeral homes and transport of bodies between facilities
- Clean various morgue and autopsy facilities and instruments
- Maintain morgue and autopsy equipment and inventory.
- Collect and ship toxicology and other specimens.
- Order and supervise radiology tests.
- Receive, review, and upload data into case management system.
- Assist forensic experts such as anthropologists, odontologists, entomologists, etc.
- Perform other tasks as directed by the Coroner or Chief Deputy Coroner.
Qualifications/Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience
- Current or recent experience as an autopsy technician or pathology assistant
- Must be proficient in specimen collection for toxicology, DNA, and histology.
- Associate degree from an accredited college or university in a relevant field
- Valid driver’s license
- Pass a criminal background check
- Be familiar with digital camera photography
- Be familiar with the use of computers, scanners, printers
- Be familiar with the use of Microsoft Office® and related programs
- Be familiar with the use of database programs; the Office currently uses QuincyTech
- Be able to work with bodies and materials weighing up to 250 pounds
- Possess good interpersonal skills
- Bachelor’s or more advanced degree in related field (Biology, Forensics, Nursing, etc) or Pathology Assistant training and certification
- 1 year or more experience as an autopsy technician
- Autopsy or forensic photography skills.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills.
- Strong knowledge of county policies and procedure.
Additional Information
Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.
Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:
- Intermediate Microsoft Office skills
- Intermediate Word skills
- Intermediate Excel skills
- Intermediate PowerPoint skills
- Intermediate Microsoft Outlook skills (Email and Calendar)
- Advanced skills to use the Internet for research purposes.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, bend at the waist, and talk or hear. Must be able to lift and carry up to 250 pounds with assistance. Occasionally, the employee will need to reach or work with arms above shoulder height, kneel, stoop, crouch or squat, crawl, climb stairs, climb, or work on a ladder, twist or rotate at the waist while working; push, lift or carry items, work with office machinery; and drive a vehicle. Excellent coordination and visual acuity required for handling sharp instruments including scalpels and saws. On rare occasions, the employee will need to work with an uncommon level of noise. Vision adequate to drive and to read written or computer records.
Work Environment:
- Ability to work in various weather conditions and hazardous environments.
- Ability to work in emotionally charged and sensitive circumstances.
- The noise level in the work environment will vary by department from quiet to noisy.
- Exposure to blood borne pathogens, biohazardous materials and noxious odors.
- Exposure to graphic case report contents and photographs.
- Exposure to secondary trauma related stressors.
- This position requires confidentiality.
- This position requires professionalism.
- Must be able to remain courteous and maintain composure under stressful situations.
- May deal with items that have monetary and evidentiary value.
- Ability to deal with all types of personalities.
- Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
- Flexibility and ability to adapt to change.
- Must fulfill all mandatory training requirements.
- Hepatitis B vaccination or sign declination form
- A valid driver’s license and current insurance, required to drive county vehicle.
