Autopsy Assistant

University of Rochester; United States; On-site; USD 28,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Rochester is seeking an Autopsy Assistant in the Autopsy Pathology department located at 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642. This full-time position supports pathologists and trainees in postmortem procedures.

Key duties include performing body incisions and evisceration, delivering specimens, preparing cadavers for the funeral director, maintaining logs, and upholding universal precautions.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in biological science with anatomy background required.
• At least 1 year autopsy assistant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Performs body incisions and evisceration during autopsies.
• Delivers specimens for special studies.
• Prepares cadaver for funeral director.
• Maintains equipment and temperature logs; follows safety precautions.
• Keeps morgue clean and stocked with PPE and supplies.

Skills

Autopsy assistance

Specimen handling

Education

Associate's degree in Biological science with anatomy background

1 year autopsy assistant experience or equivalent

Tools

Dissection instruments

Specimen containers

Job description

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14642

Job Details

• Worker Subtype: Regular
• Time Type: Full time
• Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
• Department: 500238 Autopsy Pathology
• Work Shift: UR - Day (United States of America)
• Range: UR URCD 204 H
• Compensation Range: $19.91 - $26.88

Responsibilities

• Assists pathologists, pathologists' assistants, and pathologists-in-training (residents and student fellows), and trains entering residents and year-out student fellows the performance of evisceration techniques in postmortem examinations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs body incisions and evisceration of organs during postmortem examinations.
• Delivers specimens for special studies.
• Prepares and expedites delivery of cadaver to funeral director.
• Institutes universal precautions, especially during infectious cases, as prescribed by Autopsy Procedure Manual.
• Obtains consent forms, charts, and necessary paperwork for each patient to be autopsied.
• Sets up dissection area with instruments and specimen containers.
• Retrieves autopsy consent and charts from the Admitting Office.
• Notifies prosecutor of autopsy by page or phone call.
• Completes administrative work throughout autopsy, including logging, tracking, and processing paperwork/copies.
• Sets up autopsy room and tolls needed for autopsy.
• Removes body from the cooler, puts on autopsy table, and assists with providing gross examination, including specimen samples.
• Cleans and returns body to cooler.
• Cleans autopsy table and instruments.
• Responsible for general cleanliness of autopsy suite, including all tables, sinks, and counter tops.
• Keeps all items stocked in morgue room, including all PPE, gloves, aprons, and face shields.
• Copies and restocks work sheets, etc. as needed. Keeps full decal supply at trim areas.
• Keeps trim areas stocked with basic instruments, including scalpel handles, scissors, forceps, probes, rulers, towels, ink, small empty specimen containers, and scalpel blades.
• Cleans up and disinfects morgue after every prosecution, organ review, and conference.
• Requests special assistance with floors, etc., as needed.
• Cleans cooler after spills.
• Restocks spill kit for after-hours and weekends.
• Serves as liaison to administrative assistant for technology issues.
• Rinses brains, readies COW's, and collects and readies administrative and storage needs and remains available for Brain Cutting and Autopsy conferences.
• Prepares and expedites cadaver for delivery to funeral director.
• Maintains equipment, including requesting inspections and service as needed. Keeps maintenance and temperature logs. Institutes precautions as prescribed by autopsy procedure manual during infectious cases.
• Stores and handles chemicals involved in safe manner as prescribed by autopsy procedure manual. Maintains supplies and ensures prosecution instruments are sharp and in good working condition. Arranges for scheduled instrument sharpening bi-annually.
• Collects and delivers tissue for incineration in approved manner, as prescribed by autopsy procedure manual. Picks up placentas from the Obstetrics department for cremation purposes. Verifies identification tags and tags indicating specimen for cremation.
• Maintains logs of autopsy cases, bodies delivered to funeral directors, and organs for disposal and assists with coordinating specimens saved for specimen museum. Readies bodies for family viewing on an as needed basis.
• Monitors disposition of bodies stored in the cooler on a daily basis. Checks body identifications with log book at the beginning and end of each day. Contacts appropriate people at the funeral home and/or unit if a discrepancy occurs.
• Maintains and picks scrubs up from laundry for use by Neuropathology and Autopsy Pathology faculty, prosecutors, and technicians.
• Assists funeral director with body removals.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Associate's degree in biological science with anatomy background required or
• 1 year autopsy assistant experience required
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University's Mission to Learn, Disco