Autopsy Assistant - Per Diem

Stony Brook University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Stony Brook University is seeking an Autopsy Assistant for per diem coverage within the Autopsy Service. The role supports the Director and Decedents Affairs Office Coordinator, interfacing with hospital staff to ensure smooth autopsy operations under regulatory standards.

Responsibilities include setup and assistance during autopsies, room sanitation, morgue and equipment maintenance, and coordination with funeral directors for body release.

Qualifications

• Requires an associates degree or two years' relevant hospital autopsy experience.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and handle bodies/objects safely.
• Must be able to stand for long periods and wear respirators when required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate autopsy operations with pathologists and residents from setup to post-mortem care.
• Prepare autopsy room, assist during dissection, and return body to morgue.
• Sanitize autopsy room and coordinate with Decedents Affairs for body release.
• Maintain morgue and equipment, perform maintenance logs, and handle supply orders.
• Assist with placentas, tissue processing, and disposal in accordance with policy.
• Provide backup for registrations and data entry in LIS/PowerChart as needed.

Skills

Independent working

Manual handling

Prolonged standing

Respirator use

Education

Associates Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, Biological Science or Mortuary Science

Tools

Stryker Bone Saw

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Autopsy Assistant - Per Diem

Position Summary

At Stony Brook Medicine, a TH Instructional Support Assistant/Autopsy Assistant is a valuable member of our team, who works closely with the Director of the Autopsy Service and Decedents Affairs Office Coordinator to provide diening service, and interact with a wide range of medical center staff, including laboratory staff, physicians, nursing staff, Patient Access, Public Safety, Hospital Transport, Environmental Health & Safety, Infection control, Facilities, and community Funeral Directors to ensure smooth operations of all aspects of the autopsy service. The individual must understand and comply with the standards established by all the regulatory agencies, Stony Brook Medicine, and the Department of Pathology. Qualified candidates will maintain a general knowledge of safe practices, demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills while serving as a professional role model in representing the Department of Laboratories.

Duties of a per diem Instructional Support Assistant/Autopsy Assistant may include the following, but are not limited to:

Autopsy

• Responsible for the operational aspects of an autopsy, from coordinating with the Pathology Attending/residents, setting up for the autopsy, assisting the Pathologist/resident during the dissection, sewing up the body post mortem, cleaning up the autopsy room, to returning body to morgue.
• Sets up autopsy room for Neuropathologist to examine/gross the brains and cleans up afterwards.
• Sanitize the autopsy room/body utilizing Stera Mist.
• Works with Decedents Affairs Office Coordinator, Patient Access staff, and community funeral directors for coordination of autopsies and release of bodies according to all Hospital policies and external regulations.
• Work with DAO to resolve issues and/or brings concerns to the attention of the Associate Technical Director of AP.

_The following duties may be assigned as needed:_

Morgue and equipment maintenance:

• Check morgue 2x daily for cleanliness and available space, free up gurneys by moving bodies to the shelves when necessary. Notify Patient transport supervisor if gurneys require cleaning/repair.
• Responsible for equipment preventative maintenance, trouble shooting, and completing maintenance logs.
• Place work order and repair requests when necessary.
• Bring any equipment issues forward to the Associate Technical Director of AP.
• Address all out of limit Rees monitoring alarms for autopsy devices.
• Generate and review monthly Rees reports, document reasons or corrective actions for all out of limit values and forward to Associate Technical Director of AP for signature.

Clerical:

• Place all supply & equipment orders for the autopsy area utilizing Lawson system.
• Utilize Laboratory Information System to generate various data reports.
• Provide backup for registrations/entering orders in SMS/PowerChart.

Placentas:

• Check labeling of containers with requisitions, work with Labor & Delivery on any issues.
• Accession placentas utilizing Laboratory Information System (CoPath), print tissue cassettes, set up grossing table, assist with grossing, clean up.
• Responsible for storage, report release, and disposal of placentas.

Medical Waste:

• Organize and store autopsy / placenta / wet tissue specimens until ready for disposal.
• Handle medical waste disposal of autopsy/placenta specimens according to established policies & procedures.
• Works with Housekeeping and Environmental Health & Safety to ensure appropriate disposal.

Misc:

• Provide backup for microscope slide/tissue block filing and retrieval.
• Work with the Descendants Affairs Coordinator in arranging for viewing in the bereavement room when requested by the family.
• Prepare the body for viewing, bring to the viewing room and returns the body to the morgue after the family leaves.

Qualifications

Required: Associates Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, Biological Science or Mortuary Science. In lieu of a degree, 2 years of experience as a Diener/Autopsy Aide in a Hospital setting and/or Medical Examiner's Office. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Able to shift bodies/objects, prolonged standing, use of respirators.

Preferred: Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, Biological Science, or Mortuary Science (Funeral Director). 2 years of clinical experience (Diener, Autopsy Aide, or Funeral Director). Experience with Stryker Bone Saw, suturing, sharps handling, and basic computer knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.