Autopsy Support Technician I: Postmortem Prep & Imaging

WMU Homer Stryker, M.D. School of Medicine; Portage (MI); On-site; USD 2,188,000 - 2,553,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Employer-funded retirement plan

Health plan options: PPO/HDHP with HSA

Flexible work arrangements

PTO accrual and holidays

Paid holidays

Job summary

Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine seeks a dedicated professional to support postmortem preparation, autopsy assistance, and laboratory workflow in Kalamazoo, MI.

Responsibilities include photographing specimens, organ and tissue handling, and ensuring accurate documentation for legal and educational purposes. The role emphasizes collaboration with anatomy and histology teams, adherence to chain-of-custody protocols, and the ability to work evenings or weekends as needed.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of anatomy and medical terminology preferred.
• Experience managing, organizing, and shipping samples preferred.
• Experience operating cassette and slide printing equipment is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Performs external examination, photographs, and collects, packages, and/or delivers specimens for laboratory analysis on post-mortem subjects.
• Performs autopsy dissection, documents data, observations, weights, and measurements following established procedures, stores autopsy specimens, and disposes of them according to established procedures.
• Prepares body for funeral home, notifies designated office, and completes all records.
• Photographs surgical, autopsy and graphic materials, upload digital photographs, and creates permanent record of photographs with accurate labeling.
• Assists in the anatomy lab to include: support with transfer of cadavers to anatomy laboratory and into storage, maintenance of cadavers and the anatomy lab, and prosections of cadavers.
• Assists in the histology lab to include: maintains organization of all glass slides and paraffin blocks; ensure proper accessioning and labeling of all tissue samples, including operation of slide and cassette printing equipment; prepares samples for shipment, including inventory procedures and generating shipping documentation; perform routine and non-routine activities involved in the preparation of slides for microscopic evaluation, as directed by Lead Histotechnologist; perform routine maintenance and cleaning of equipment, perform scheduled maintenance, and troubleshoot minor equipment failures; document remedial actions such as repairs or repeated tests.
• Organizes workload to complete assignments within requested time frame.
• Documents and maintains evidence in accordance with chain of custody protocols.
• Reviews, investigates, and authorizes cremation permit requests.
• At times may be responsible for cleaning up bodily fluids from cadavers outside of department.
• Availability to work occasional overtime on weekends or evenings to complete time sensitive projects.
• Acquires knowledge for new technology and policy/procedure revisions.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills

Family communication

Written communication

Attention to detail

Independence

Education

Anatomy knowledge

Sample handling

Medical terminology

Tools

Web-based applications

Job description

Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine seeks a dedicated professional to support postmortem preparation, autopsy assistance, and laboratory workflow in Kalamazoo, MI.

Responsibilities include photographing specimens, organ and tissue handling, and ensuring accurate documentation for legal and educational purposes. The role emphasizes collaboration with anatomy and histology teams, adherence to chain-of-custody protocols, and the ability to work evenings or weekends as needed.