Forensic Autopsy Tech I

Travis County; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Travis County Medical Examiner's Office in Austin, TX seeks an Autopsy Technician to assist with body intake, autopsies, evidence collection, and morgue maintenance under supervision.

The role supports pathologists, prepares tissue, manages specimens, and ensures chain-of-custody, safety, and proper documentation. Associate degree in medical sciences and Texas driver's license preferred.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in medical sciences and 1 year of medical or lab experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.
• Valid Texas driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Assist autopsies under supervision and prepare work area.
• Process decedents, evisceration, suturing, and cleaning.
• Collect, label, and package specimens and evidentiary materials.
• Maintain morgue cleanliness and decontamination.
• Document incoming bodies and maintain chain of custody.

Skills

Medical terminology

Autopsy procedures

Safety procedures

Record keeping

Office software

English proficiency

Education

Associate's degree in medical sciences (chemistry/biology)

Tools

Digital dental X-ray

Digital body X-ray

Job description

Under the general supervision of the Autopsy Chief Tech, 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.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the first in a series of four autopsy-related job classifications within the Medical Examiner job family. Incumbents perform routine duties while assisting in the performance of autopsies. Duties require a moderate degree of initiative and independent judgment. It is distinguished from the Autopsy Tech Chief in that incumbents have no formal supervisory responsibilities. 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, 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.

Education and Experience:

Associate's degree with emphasis on the medical sciences such as chemistry or biology AND one (1) year experience in a medical or laboratory environment;

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 the job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Valid Texas driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

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.
• Using and caring 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:

• 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/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.

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.

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: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Works some holidays and weekends as needed.

Location: 7723 Springdale Rd, Austin, TX 78724

Department: Medical Examiner

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact [e-mail]

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.