AUTOPSY ASSISTANT (MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE)

Genesee County, MI•Flint, MI

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Assists the pathologists in conducting each day's autopsies; oversees the release and intake of bodies for autopsy along with their personal effects; prepares the bodies and the morgue for each day's autopsies; ensures the morgue remains adequately stocked with autopsy supplies; packages and prepares specimens that are submitted to other laboratories for analysis; fills out the necessary paperwork for each day's autopsies; manages the short term and long term storage of tissue; performs other related duties as necessary.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
Currently employed as an autopsy assistant with two (2) years' minimum experience conducting autopsies and handling personal effects
One (1) year of full-time experience (or the equivalent) within the last three (3) years working as an autopsy assistant in a medical examiner's/forensic pathology office performing autopsies and handling evidence
Completion of a school-affiliated morgue internship in the Genesee County Medical Examiner's Office and a letter of recommendation from the internship site director
Completion of the autopsy assistant certification program through Mott Community College and a letter of recommendation from the autopsy practicum supervisor

Responsibilities

Checks morgue cooler each morning to determine body inventory and determine which bodies are to be autopsied
Transfers bodies from the morgue cooler to the autopsy suite and transfers them to the autopsy tables; photographs the bodies as they are received and prepares the autopsy stations for the day's work
Undresses the bodies and draws the necessary body fluids for laboratory analysis
Opens the body and performs the evisceration, weighs the organs and gives them to the pathologist for further dissection
Assists with additional autopsy photography and evidence collection during each autopsy as needed
Closes the body and prepares it for release to the funeral home along with the personal effects
Packages and releases evidence to the appropriate agencies following chain of custody procedures
Cleans the autopsy stations and instruments and prepares each station for the next autopsy
Completes paperwork for each case which includes working with a computer database
Works with security personnel to ensure proper body release to funeral homes
Orders and re-stocks the morgue with the supplies necessary for the autopsy workload
Packages specimens for shipment to outside laboratories for analysis or storage
Transports specimens to laboratories inside the facility and places tissue in storage