Forensic Autopsy Tech I

Travis County•Austin, TX

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Autopsy Chief Tech, this role assists with body intake and release, body processing, evidence collection, ordering and storage of supplies, autopsies and external examinations, and maintaining cleanliness and upkeep of the morgue. This is the first in a series of four autopsy-related job classifications. Incumbents perform routine duties while assisting in the performance of autopsies, requiring a moderate degree of initiative and independent judgment. This classification may require a flexible work schedule to meet department needs.

Requirements

Associate's degree with emphasis on the medical sciences (e.g., chemistry or biology) AND one (1) year of experience in a medical or laboratory environment; OR, any combination of education and experience equivalent to the stated requirements.
Valid Texas driver's license.
Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy related to morgue activities.
Knowledge of autopsy procedures and practices.
Knowledge of safety procedures and practices in a morgue setting.
Knowledge of modern office/clerical practices, procedures, and methods.
Knowledge of principles and procedures of record keeping.
Knowledge of computer equipment, including word processing, databases, and software packages.
Knowledge of English, spelling, and arithmetic.
Knowledge of Unit's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
Knowledge of Department's casework software.
Knowledge of evidence collection and proper chain-of-custody techniques.
Knowledge of Departmental policies and procedures.
Skill in autopsy procedures and practices, including evisceration.
Skill in using and caring for autopsy room equipment.
Skill in maintaining morgue cleanliness, inventory, and equipment preventive maintenance with little or no supervision.
Skill in recording and compiling material for reports.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work in a morgue environment with daily contact with decedents, including those in a decomposed state.
Ability to handle the psychological effects of death.
Ability to work effectively with pathologists in the conduction of autopsies.
Ability to follow written directions and instructions, and carry out departmental instructions.
Ability to operate x-ray, dental x-ray, photographic, and fingerprinting equipment.
Ability to perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, and the general public.
Ability to lift/carry up to 75-100 pounds and maneuver cadavers unassisted in excess of 200 pounds.
Requires visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination, and manual dexterity necessary to operate laboratory equipment and basic office equipment and computer.
Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.
At times requires driving and exposure to outdoor conditions.
Subject to various biological/infectious, chemical, mechanical, electrical, explosive and radiation hazards in indoors/outdoors work, and exposure to fumes, noxious odors and toxic wastes.
Daily contact with biohazardous materials.
Some exposure to high job stress.
Must possess sufficient physical strength and emotional stability to work under adverse conditions.

Nice To Haves

Emphasis on the medical sciences such as chemistry or biology in Associate's degree.

Responsibilities

Assists in autopsies under the supervision and direction of the forensic pathologist.
Prepares the work area, opens the body, eviscerates, sutures, and cleans the body upon completion of the autopsy.
Assists in preparing tissue for microscopic slide preparation and the collection, packaging, and labeling of specimens and evidentiary materials.
Assists with collection and packaging of cultures and associated paperwork.
Processes decedents for examination, including unclothing, cleaning, photographing, fingerprinting, and x-raying.
Removes, inventories, and safeguards decedent's property and evidence.
Receives, tags, and documents incoming bodies.
Reviews autopsy orders and body release forms for accuracy and completeness.
Maintains cleanliness and decontamination of the morgue and its associated equipment.
Collects and safeguards physical evidence at the discretion of the pathologist.
Performs autopsy room administrative functions, such as transporting toxicology specimens, maintaining records of stored tissue specimens, retrieving specimens, and ensuring proper disposition of specimens.
May perform morgue and lab administrative duties, including filing.
May drive body-transport vehicle to transport decedents.
Performs laundry functions.
Receives and releases decedents, clothing, personal property, and evidence to appropriate agencies or persons, and prepares reports.
Assists in maintaining the morgue's body census and assists in the timely release of bodies.
Maintains confidentiality of case information.
Understands and uses proper chain-of-custody practices.
Uses digital dental x-ray and digital body x-ray equipment and associated software.
Enters data into the medical examiner office's computer program.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.