Autopsy Technician - Part-Time

$29.62 - $37.52 Open Until Filled

The position is part-time, 30 hours per week with occasional weekend work possible.

Under the supervision of the Chief Deputy Coroner, and guidance of the Morgue Manager, perform the daily operations of the morgue and autopsy suite, including the registration and inventory of bodies, personal property and medications; attend to the care and maintenance of the autopsy facility and its equipment, assuring that supplies are available and equipment is serviced, as needed. Keep detailed computer records associated with morgue operation.

Join the Coroner/Medical Examiner team in one of the nation's fastest growing counties, working in a new and fully equipped morgue and autopsy suite.

• With the consent of the Medical Examiner and Chief Deputy, efficiently coordinate the scheduling of autopsies, making notification to law enforcement personnel.
• Prepare for each autopsy, assuring the correct physical placement and positioning of the body; obtain appropriate pre-procedural photographs; obtain fingerprints, if so directed; assure the readiness of the supplies and equipment required to efficiently complete the autopsy.
• Assist the medical examiner in opening and closing the body; physically handle organs and bodily specimens, with proper identification and documentation of specimens in a manner consistent with a lawful chain of custody; promptly submit specimens to outside laboratories or consultants for histology, toxicology, specialized identification procedures or other studies.
• Under the direction of the Medical Examiner and Chief Deputy, practice proper safety protocols and decorum among visitors in the morgue and autopsy suite.
• Inventory decedent property removed at autopsy; package and hand-deliver evidence to law enforcement personnel; catalogue, package, and store non-evidentiary property, consistent with the policies of the Coroner/Medical Examiner.
• When required, inventory decedent property following admission of the decedent to the morgue, consistent with the policies of the Coroner/Medical Examiner.
• When required, inventory decedent medications, consistent with the policies of the Coroner/Medical Examiner.
• Maintain the morgue and autopsy suite in a consistent state of cleanliness and readiness; clean the equipment used for autopsies.
• Maintain the physical and electronic lists of decedents admitted to and discharged from the morgue, consistent with the policies of the Coroner/Medical Examiner.
• Assist in maintaining the morgue inventory and autopsy supplies.
• Inventory and arrange for the destruction of medications, consistent with the policies of the Coroner/Medical Examiner.
• At all times, observe all requirements for aseptic technique, infection control and the proper use of personal protective equipment and other equipment designed to ensure the safety of all employees and visitors to the morgue and autopsy suite; report any discrepancies or dangerous conditions to the Chief Deputy Coroner, as needed.
• Participate in preparation and exercises related to mass casualty events; be prepared to assist during actual mass casualty events, as required.
• Independently prepare fingerprint cards for identification; take detailed photographs and obtain limited scope digital x-ray images of the body to assist the Medical Examiner in the determination of the manner and cause of death and identification.
• Perform other duties, as required.

• High School Diploma or GED required, college degree in any field preferred.
• Formal coursework in medical terminology and anatomy strongly preferred.

• Experience as a diener/autopsy assistant for forensic autopsies strongly preferred.
• Experience in autopsy and morgue management, including the care of equipment and ordering supplies, strongly preferred.

• Basic to intermediate medical terminology, including common prescription, non-prescription, and illicit drugs.
• Basic to intermediate human anatomy and physiology, as well as basic understanding of the mechanisms associated with death and common causes of death
• Intermediate knowledge of the chemical and biological hazards associated with the handling of human bodies, and the techniques commonly used to mitigate those hazards.
• Techniques required to safely lift or otherwise move human decedents.
• Procedures for the management of bodily specimens.
• The care and use of common morgue and autopsy-related equipment.
• Aseptic technique, infection control procedures and the proper use of personal protective equipment in the morgue and autopsy suite.
• Ethical and legal standards governing the management of evidence, decedent photographs, property and medications is required.
• Word, Excel and other software programs to be used for the registration of decedents, the maintenance of equipment and the management of supply inventories.
• Basic inventory procedures for supplies and equipment used in an autopsy suite.