Travis County
Under the general supervision of the Autopsy Tech Chief, 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. May assume additional duties, such as the making of schedules and the job as Radiation Safety Officer. May train other Autopsy Techs. Serves as Autopsy Tech Acting Chief in the absence of the Autopsy Tech Chief.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is the second in a series of three autopsy-related job classifications within the Medical Examiner job family. Incumbent performs routine duties while assisting in the performance of autopsies. Duties require initiative and independent judgment. It is distinguished from the Autopsy Tech Chief in that the incumbent does not have the duty to formulate a standard operating procedure on a biannual basis, nor has the same level of authority in disciplinary matters. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.
Assists in autopsies under immediate supervision and direction of the responsible forensic pathologist performing the examination. Prepares the work area, opens the body, eviscerates, and 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.
Performs computerized tomography (CT) scans.
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 their 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; 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.
Displays knowledge of and uniform use of proper chain-of-custody practices.
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.
May serve as the Radiation Safety Officer.
Assists the Autopsy Tech Chief in the review and revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
Performs weekend and holiday supervision of the Autopsy Techs on a rotating basis with the Autopsy Tech Chief.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
Associate’s degree with emphasis on the medical sciences such as chemistry or biology AND four (4) years’ experience in a medical or laboratory environment AND demonstrated leadership ability;
OR,
Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: Valid Texas Driver’s License.
Preferred: Bachelor of Science degree in biology, chemistry or related scientific field AND supervisory experience.
Knowledge of:
Medical terminology and human anatomy as related to morgue activities. Autopsy procedures and practices. Safety procedures and practices in a morgue setting. Modern office/clerical practices, procedures and methods. Principle and procedures of record keeping. Computer equipment to include word processing, databases and a variety of software packages. English, spelling, and arithmetic. Unit’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Department’s casework software. Evidence collection and proper chain-of-custody techniques. Departmental policies and procedures. Skill in:
Autopsy procedures and practices, including evisceration. Use and care of autopsy room equipment. Maintaining morgue cleanliness, inventory and equipment preventive maintenance with little or no supervision. Recording and compiling material for reports. Effective verbal and written communication. Ability to:
Take charge of Autopsy Techs when Autopsy Tech Chief is absent. Work in morgue environment with daily contact with decedents, including those in a decomposed state. Handle the psychological effects of death. Work effectively with pathologists in the conduction of autopsies. Follow written directions and instructions, and carry out departmental instructions. Operate x-ray, dental x-ray, photographic, and fingerprinting equipment. Perform in a stressful environment, while maintaining a professional manner. 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 and 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.
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday. May work some holidays, some nights, some weekends Location:
7723 Springdale Rd. Austin, TX 78724 Department:
Medical Examiner Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: Valid Texas Driver’s License.
Preferred: Bachelor of Science degree in biology, chemistry or related scientific field AND supervisory experience.
Knowledge of:
Medical terminology and human anatomy as related to morgue activities. Autopsy procedures and practices. Safety procedures and practices in a morgue setting. Modern office/clerical practices, procedures and methods. Principle and procedures of record keeping. Computer equipment to include word processing, databases and a variety of software packages. English, spelling, and arithmetic. Unit’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Department’s casework software. Evidence collection and proper chain-of-custody techniques. Departmental policies and procedures. Skill in:
Autopsy procedures and practices, including evisceration. Use and care of autopsy room equipment. Maintaining morgue cleanliness, inventory and equipment preventive maintenance with little or no supervision. Recording and compiling material for reports. Effective verbal and written communication. Ability to:
Take charge of Autopsy Techs when Autopsy Tech Chief is absent. Work in morgue environment with daily contact with decedents, including those in a decomposed state. Handle the psychological effects of death. Work effectively with pathologists in the conduction of autopsies. Follow written directions and instructions, and carry out departmental instructions. Operate x-ray, dental x-ray, photographic, and fingerprinting equipment. Perform in a stressful environment, while maintaining a professional manner. 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 and 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.
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday. May work some holidays, some nights, some weekends Location:
7723 Springdale Rd. Austin, TX 78724 Department:
Medical Examiner Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position. #J-18808-Ljbffr