Forensic Autopsy Technician

Mecklenburg County•Charlotte, NC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office (MCMEO) mission is to provide county morgue and medical examiner/forensic pathology services to the citizens of Mecklenburg County. The MCMEO interacts with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to assist in death investigations, reporting their findings on the cause and manner of death. The MCMEO also provides consultation and forensic pathology services to one regional county: Cleveland. This position will join a team assisting with exams/autopsies to include digital photography, digital radiography, collection of samples, assisting with moving decedent bodies as needed for exams, and basic cleaning of the immediate morgue area. Responsibilities include assisting board-certified Forensic Pathologists that are responsible for overseeing each death investigation conducted at the facility, totaling approximately 1,500 annually. The MCMEO is primarily responsible for death investigations under the following specific circumstances: Natural deaths in individuals without a physician, Unexpected deaths in otherwise healthy individuals, All accidental, suicidal, homicidal, traumatic, or violent deaths, Deaths occurring under unusual circumstances, Deaths of all prisoners as well as all patients in a state mental health facility.

Requirements

Minimum of one year of experience in assisting with autopsies or in a related area.
High School Diploma or equivalent and coursework in Anatomy, Physiology, Histology, and/or Anthropology.
Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License.
May require County Driving Privileges.
May require Annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check.
Knowledge of Human anatomy and physiology.
Knowledge of Forensic science as it pertains to the human body.
Knowledge of Radiographic procedures.
Knowledge of Medical terminology.
Skills in Applicable forensic tools.
Skills in Applicable safety procedures.
Skills in Laboratory procedures.
Abilities in Applied Learning: Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner.
Abilities in Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information received.
Abilities in Customer Focus: Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving force behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and own organization’s needs.
Abilities in Computer Skills: General knowledge in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience/education in a funeral home, morgue, coroner’s office, or medical examiner’s office setting.
Previous experience transporting bodies and working with deceased.
Education related to Anatomy, Physiology, Histology, Anthropology, Biology, and Forensics preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform eviscerations and grosses anatomic dissections, remove organs, portions of bones and other pathological remains in accordance with established safety standards.
Under direct supervision, help prepare the room, paperwork, and body, and assist the pathologist with the actual autopsy.
Perform forensic autopsies on recently deceased, decomposed, burned, and partially skeletonized human bodies.
Prepare for forensic autopsies, which includes: maintaining log books with biographical information on deceased; setting up autopsy station with proper instruments; assisting in identification/collection of legal evidence; collecting and securing personal possessions of deceased; preparing body for pathologist exams; preparing containers for toxicology and histology samples; and/or, performing other related activities.
Assist in external/cremation exams, which includes: taking photographs of deceased; collecting blood samples; collecting and securing personal possessions of deceased; and/or, performing other related activities.
Ordering supplies; and/or, performing other related activities.
Maintain morgue facilities, which includes: stocking supplies; preparing laundry; cleaning autopsy suite; preparing biohazard waste for disposal; preparing formalin mixtures; maintaining coolers; and/or, performing other related activities.
Perform a variety of office duties, which includes: answering phones; completing document requests; creating and maintaining case files; filing histology slides; maintaining autopsy forms and diagrams; and/or, performing other related tasks.
Maintain personal possessions and releases bodies to funeral homes or crematories.