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Travis County · 4 months ago

Autopsy Tech

Austin, TX

Full-time

Hybrid

Entry Level

2+ years exp

Travis County is seeking an Autopsy Tech to assist with body intake and release, body processing, and evidence collection in the morgue. The role involves performing routine duties under supervision during autopsies and maintaining the cleanliness of the morgue.

GovernmentInfrastructurePublic Safety

Responsibilities

Assists in autopsies under immediate supervision and direction of the responsible forensic pathologist performing the examination. Prepares the work area, opens the body, eviscerates, sutures and cleans the body upon completion of the autopsy by using established protocols. 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 any associated paperwork

Processes decedents for examination, including unclothing the decedents, cleaning the decedents, and photographing, fingerprinting and x-raying the decedents

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 various autopsy room administrative functions, such as transporting toxicology specimens to the lab, maintaining records of stored tissue specimens, retrieving specimens as needed, and ensuring proper disposition of specimens

May perform any of the following: some morgue and lab administrative duties including filing; driving body-transport vehicle to transport decedents from hospitals or other locations to the medical examiner's office; perform laundry functions; receive and release decedents, clothing, personal property, and evidence to the appropriate agencies or persons, and prepares reports for same.

Assists in maintaining the morgue's body census, and assists in the timely release of bodies from the morgue

Maintains confidentiality on information on all cases

Understands and uses proper chain-of-custody practices

Has the ability to use digital dental x-ray and digital body x-ray equipment and its associated software

Accurately enters data into the medical examiner office's computer program

Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Qualification

Autopsy proceduresEvidence collectionMedical terminologyDigital x-ray equipmentRecord keepingSafety proceduresMaintaining cleanlinessEffective communication

Required

Associate's degree with emphasis on the medical sciences such as chemistry or biology AND two (2) years experience in a medical or laboratory environment

Valid Texas driver's license

Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy as 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 principle and procedures of record keeping

Knowledge of computer equipment to include word processing, databases, and a variety of 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 of 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

Skill in effective verbal and written communication

Ability to work in 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

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 75-100 pounds and maneuvering 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